5 Day Moderate & Hard Walking Program Rhodes Greece €150pp

First Walking Day:

 Welcome:

On the first morning you will meet your walking leader, and generally discuss your choosen walking program and he/she will answer any questions you may have or provide you any further information you may require. We do ask you to fill in some very simple medical forms and that you have photo copies of your passport and medical/travel insurance with you, these will stay with you at all times and will only be required if you need any medical treatment. Once we get the little bit of required paper work done and you are ready, we set off on your first walk.

Coastal Walk:

Approximately 3-4 ½ hours duration including stops and a lunch break. Terrain includes dirt tracks, some uneven and rocky ground, with two steep uphill sections, this coastal walk does not have a lot of shade so we recommend sun hat and sun cream while out walking, along with plenty of water

This walk begins at sandy beach, a slow climb up takes us from the beach and over the hill towards an old fishing village, once at the top of the first hill stunning views up the east coast towards Lindos can be viewed. The walk then drops into the village, this old fishing village, which now generates most of its income from tourism, this will be our first rest stop of the day.
From here we walk across a short valley feature that brings us to our second steep hill, once at the top, the coastline opens up and Agathi beach and Faraklos Castle can be seen in the distance. From this point the path becomes more rugged and at times stony, but the rough walking under foot is rewarded with such landscape views that pictures taken will bring back the memories of this panoramic coastline.
This coastal walk takes you along the cliff paths (not dangerous), birds of prey can be seen soaring on the thermals, trek through rugged lunar landscape and then descend onto Agathi beach, one of the best sandy beaches in Rhodes.
You can rest at one of the cantinas, taking advantage of the shade, seating and a cold beer. At this point, once you have rested you can either take the transport back to your accommodation or have the transport take you up to Faraklos Castle to see the spectacular views and experience one of the most important castles of the Knights Of St John, or take the transport down to the village of Haraki and enjoy a cold beer and just “people watch” from the tavernas and bars as only the Greeks can do.

 
2nd Walking Day

Walk Of Discovery:

Approximately 4-8 hours duration including stops and a lunch break.

This walk takes you through some of the most fertile areas of Rhodes, the walk starts just off the beaten track near the village of Archangelos. It meanders through orange, lemon, pomegranates and olive tree fields and shows you the way the farmers have grown their crops over many generations. The lush fields and their crops also prove a magnet to many species of wild life and beautiful wild flowers, the months of April and May show the flowers off at their best. 
The walk takes you through the working village of Malona and then back out into the country side to see the natural beauty of the surrounding area. The walk takes you through dry river beds, scenic valleys, natural gorges and there are times that you think you are walking through a barren waste land, rather than a Greek island. The tracks meander around large hills and back into the olive groves that surround the village of Masari, where a cold beer is waiting for you. The discovery of so much wildlife, natural beauty and walking through farmland proves that man can actually work along side and with nature, it doesn’t have to be one or the other, all of this while you are walking through the experience and breathing in the atmosphere. At the end of this walk you will have earned that cold beer, but it will be just reward for all those kilometres walked and taking in the surroundings with its atmosphere.

Note*
This is a long walk with not to much shade on the route, so be prepared to bring along a hat, sun cream for the arms and legs and plenty of water. It also has two locations on the route that can be used to take people to the end point, if they feel that the distance covered is sufficient to “calling it a day” and they have had enough walking for the day.

3rd Walking Day

Mount Akramytis Walk. (825 meters above sea level)

Approximately 5-6 hours duration including stops and a lunch break.

Terrain includes a steep uphill section at the beginning with rough uneven and stony ground to walk over. Forestry paths, flat dirt tracks and a down hill dirt track to finish.
The village of Monolithos slumbers at the foot of Akramytis Mountain.
Then as you climb the mountain the scenery behind you will give stunning views down and along the west coast. As you climb the final stages of the mountain you can see the summit that overlooks the west coasts. At the watch tower enjoy the stunning views, also you will be able to look out over to the islands of Chalki, Stroggyli, Tragoussa.
Lunch is taken at the chapel of Ayios Ioannis. From here the track meanders down through woodland and meadows, as you near the final downward section of the walk the west coast will open out in front of you to give stunning views of the rugged and dramatic coastline. From this point it’s a down hill walk through the trees and out onto the main Monolithos to Siana road.

4th Walking Day

Atavyros Mountain Walk:

Approximately 7-9 hours duration including stops and a lunch break.

Terrain includes a steep mountain climb to begin, over rough terrain and some rock scrambling will be required. Descent will be over dirt tracks, uneven ground with parts off the beaten track, and walking experience will be required.

Well this is our “big one” 1216 meters high, taller than Snowdon and views so they say over to Crete. It’s a challenge and you most definitely require a head for heights, stamina, a full bottle of water and a loaded camera, because the views are quite spectacular. Prey for a good day’s weather and good visibility. 
By getting an early start, it is possible to ascend most of the way on the shady side of the mountain, so by the time the sun catches up with you, the coolness of the air on the mountain will then turn to heat from the sun. The climb is exactly that, a slow deliberate pace, with plenty of stops for water on the way, time to catch your breath, also time to take photographs while resting.
Lunch break will be at the summit, at an ancient temple of Zeus. After your rest the descent will be down the rear side of the mountain using open dirt tracks, some uneven ground and some “off the beaten track” type terrain. The descent also has spectacular views of the island and will bring you out approximately 1500 meters from the start point of the walk. The walk back to the start point will take you passed the front of the mountain that you have just climbed, and you will ask yourself “Have I just climbed that” and the answer will be “Yes” A rewarding cold beer will be waiting for you in Embonas and so will the transport back to your accommodation “Thankfully”.

5th Walking day

Forestry Walk:

Approximately 5-6 hours duration including stops and a lunch break.

Terrain includes open tracks, forest tracks, hill walking and some uneven ground.

The walk begins at the village of Salakos close to the centre of the island, the walk itself takes a meandering route through some of Rhodes unspoilt forests. These are not forested as those in the UK, but are left to their own devices to grow and fall in their own time and place. The walk has plenty of shade and magnificent views across the island towards Turkey and if you are lucky your mobile phone welcomes you to "Vodaphone Turkey" along the way. The aroma of the pine trees, the sound of the tree’s rustling in the breeze, the quietness when the wind isn’t blowing, the feeling of solitude, all make you feel as though you are the only one there and that you are miles from nowhere.
Which in reality, you are miles from anywhere, you progress on forest tracks, past old farm steads, old sheep pens, bee hives ready to produce honey, and some stunning scenery. 
Lunch break is taken at the magnificent Byzantine, St Nikoloas Foundoukli chapel (St Nicholas of the Hazelnuts) with its 14th century wall paintings. Here you will also find stalls selling honey, olive oil, and you can fill your water bottle up from the natural spring at the front of the chapel. Once rested you return to the tarmac road for a few hundred meters and turn off into the forest tracks again for your return journey back to Salakos.
Its back to open forest tracks, a small section of scrambling on small tracks, with open views of the Rhodes countryside and it’s farming. There are many interesting points along the way and the walk back to Salakos soon has you overlooking the village.
A cold beer is awaiting you in the village square, along side Italian designed houses, and a beautiful fountain all remnants of the Italian occupation from1912 up until the late 1940’s.
If you like peace and quite while walking, then this 5-6 hour walk will fit the bill in all aspects.

 Transport can be arranged but is not included in the price.

Moderate to Hard Walking Program pdf