Overview

A demanding but very interesting crossing of Stratoniko range largely on footpaths.

Description

From Stavros follow signs to Ano Stavros. Cross Ano Stavros and continue uphill on the paved track finishing before Agnanti restaurant overlooking the village. There are two well marked trails beginning here. Take the left branch walking gently along a gully. Cross the gully a couple of times and after crossing a track continue more steeply through dense forest. You eventually join a dirt road a few meters below a saddle at Paliohora (gr. old village).

There is a hut and a junction of 5 roads here. Looking south take the middle road, south west, climbing very smoothly. After crossing a gully the road becomes a rough forestry track. This area was recently clear cut but now young chestnut trees have sprung. After 200m you have to turn right on a footpath (not signed) climbing to the top of a ridge. Once on the ridge by the edge of the forest you have to take care to turn left after a few meters ignoring the footpath climbing along the ridge. The rest is a traverse on a narrow but very beautiful path through dense beech forest. After crossing a stream the path joins a dirt road where the latter it makes a sharp turn. Turn right and walk for 2km on this road. When you encounter a small manmade structure turn left along a footpath sparsely marked with ribbons. The path follows a ridge along a power line and is steep at places. Cross the road several times to finish on the bottom of the valley by a small shack.

Continue south pleasantly across the valley. After 2km, by a patch of pine forest, the road makes a steep left turn. Continue straight on a rough track soon becoming a footpath. After crossing a rocky area with arid vegetation the footpath descends to a stream bed. Cross it and continue on a broad footpath through forest that immediately starts to climb with switch backs. Emerge on a clearing on the top of a ridge and continue along the ridge gently uphill through oak forest. Emerge on the paved road going to Olimpiada. Turn right to finish in Varvara after about 500m.

Amenities

Varvara has tavernas and a couple of hostels.

Signposting

First part until Paliohora is well marked with blazes. The second part is way-marked sparsely with ribbons.

Transportation

Taxi to Arnea (Tel: 23720 22212). Then bus to Thessaloniki.