Taxiarchis - Arnea

  • Distance: 15.8 km
  • Duration:
  • Elevation Profile: show

Overview

An easy and shady climb from the village to the main ridge of Holomontas mountain and then a pleasent descent to Arnea village. Mostly through forest and with plenty of water this segment offers a lot of variety.

Description

To find the start of the path take the main paved road crossing the village towards the football field. Just after and before a leisure area and playground turn right on a track, paved at the beginning. After a farm it becomes a dirt road in bad condition. Keep left (uphill) on two junctions. Eventually the track ends by a stream and you continue along a broad path in oak and pine forest,  passing remains of old terraces. Eventually emerge on a saddle and forest track, cross it and descent to its lower branch by a stream. Continue along this track. After 500m at a junction, turning right (or left for a longer but less steep alternative).  After another 300m, turn right on a footpath crossing the stream and then up again on ridge. Follow the ridge uphill to join the track again and continue climbing on the opposite side along an obscure path in oak forest. Emerge at the end of a track (the alternative route) and continue on a good path to a saddle with excellent views. Ignore a forest track and continue on a broad path in the forest soon passing by a fountain with good water. Continue on this path, eventually emerging on the main ridge of the mountain and the old national road to Arnaia. 

For the next 3km follow this rarely used road in the shade of the beech forest until you reach a forestry hut. On the right side of the hut find the footpath that joins the tarmac later on. After another bypass of the road and where the latter turns steeply left, stay right on a track that leads directly to Arnea village.

Amenities

Arnea offers plenty of lodging and dining facilities, pharmacy, small hospital and shops.

Signposting

Plastic ribons until the ridge.

Transportation

There is a regular bus service (KTEL) towards Thessaloniki and Ierissos (www.ktel-chalkidikis.gr)