A "5 Day Spring Flowers" Walking Program, Rhodes Greece €199pp

Experience nature at her best with Walking Rhodes. Rhodes has a fascinating set of flora with over 1500 of plant species found here. As with the entire Mediterranean region, the flora comprises a mixture of local and introduced species, selected over the centuries for their ability to survive the often harsh environments found here. They have to be able to withstand great heat, long periods of little or no water and then grow when the opportunity is there. The large proportion of evergreen trees means that these species are ideally suited as they can continue to photosynthesise and grow during winter taking advantage of the seasonal rains. We’re lucky in Rhodes as during spring time you can see a profusion of wild flowers appear all over the island, with lush green meadows charmed with flowers that give sense of a time gone bye.
Walking is definitely the best way to appreciate Rhodes’ wildflowers and with the varied environment of the island there are no shortage of different habitats in which to go searching for them. Rhodes’ flora as well as containing representatives of all the major flowering families found in the Mediterranean is also home to over 50 orchid species including many that are endemic to the eastern Aegean region. 
 

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.

Day 1
Profitis Ilias.

You will experience a traditional small mountain Greek village, prepared walking paths in amongst pine trees with a mixture of Greek and Italian buildings.

The description of this route as found in Daily Guided Walks
As you approach the start and end point of this mountain walk you may notice the Italian influence on the architecture in this quiet mountain village. We begin with a short walk along a road out of the village heading towards the grand ridge line of Profitis Ilias, the most forested of the top five tallest mountains on Rhodes. The first part of the walk begins with lazy zigzag pathways up through olives groves and then into forests of Kermes oaks. These zigzags provide a pleasant way to gain height up the mountain and offering shade from the sun and an easy angle. Periodic breaks in the trees give excellent photo opportunities and good excuses for a rest, with views of the wooded countryside composed of olive groves and orchards of oranges and lemons.
After a while the angle levels off and a well situated bench is discovered and from here it is common to be able to see Turkey.
A wide cobbled path leads into a pine forest and a picnic area but a better lunch stop lies further on. A short climb and minor detour finds us at a magnificently situated chapel, built on a rocky outcrop jutting from the hillside. You will come across many small chapels such as this on Rhodes and while some are family owned, most such as this one are left open and you can go in and admire this Greek Orthodox chapel.
A track leads back through the pine forest to two hotels of historic significance. They were originally built by the Italians during the 1930's, while they were on the island. Continuing up the hill with the summit within reach we pass the Old Italian governor’s derelict summer residence, which can be explored. There is an awesome view from the balcony. Carrying on up slope, the ridge line is gained with views to the other side of the mountain; it is just a short walk from here to our summit and a welcome bite to eat. You might need to roll down your sleeves here or bring an extra top as it is usually pleasantly cooler here due to the altitude of about 780 meters.
Once sufficiently rested we begin the descent back down through the pine forest by a different route that emerges back at the two hotels we passed before. A wide path leads off from these, past abandoned army barracks and the old power house to a spring.
At this point we leave the paths behind and follow a route known only to a few locals through a forest of Kermes Oaks. This route weaves its way beneath the shade of the trees down the mountain, crossing on its way a dried up stream bed. The lack of an expansive view is made up for by the interesting and challenging terrain underfoot.
We leave the woods, emerging not too far from where we left the road at the beginning of the day. Here we have a choice of routes; you can finish off the walk with an extra 1-1.5 hours walking through forest on good tracks where the heat of the sun at this time of day releases the aroma of pines and the herbs that grow around this area. Or alternatively it is just a short walk back to the village and the chance to admire the traditional old Greek buildings interspersed with the Italian influenced architecture. In either case a cold drink awaits you at the friendly taverna, perhaps a cold beer or a fresh squeezed orange juice. 

Day 2
Akramytis Mountain Walk.

The second highest mountain in Rhodes is mostly covered in pine trees, paths are not prepared, but you will experience stunning views from the summit, hidden meadows with wild flowers in late winter and early spring, the meadows are well known by the locals for the wild mushrooms that grow here in the winter time.

The description of this route as found in Daily Guided Walks

This is an excellent, well-rounded walk that combines the lure of a summit with satisfying walking on forest paths and a real feeling of being away from it all.
This walk gets the majority of the ascent for the day out of the way early on when it is that bit cooler. We take a series of single-track switchbacks up the southern mountainside in amongst the pine forest. Occasional breaks in the trees provide great views down the western coast to the south and welcome opportunities for a breather.
Above the tree line, the route finds its way through a tortured limestone pavement to a col, giving the first views of the coast to the north. Further on up the ridge, we reach the summit and are gifted with spectacular 360-degree views. You can see many of the other mountains of Rhodes from this vantage point and get a feel for this western side of the island, which is more remote and distinctly different to the more developed eastern side.
From the summit, we descend the northern side of the ridge that runs roughly east to west into what from many angles resembles a volcanic caldera. This turns out to be a wide gully between two ridgelines.
A pleasant forest track leads us to our lunch stop at an old chapel, which boasts a well and resident Gecko! Suitably refreshed, a descent through trees leads past the remains of long abandoned dwellings and upland pastures. Depending on the time of year and the keenness of your eyes we might find wild flowers, praying mantid’s or stick insects.
Skirting around the ridgeline affords some marvelous views before moving back over to the southern side of the ridge for a gentle decent to a bar and the necessary cold refreshment! If time allows we can sometimes include an extra treat at the end of this walk

Day 3
Discovery Walk.

This walk brings together fertile areas, hill walk and hidden gorges, in the winter month’s wild flowers grow between the olive trees, and ripe oranges hang from the trees ready for picking, within the gorge area terrapins can be found in the water pools.

The description of this route as found in Daily Guided Walks.

This walk takes you into the heart of Rhodes where you can see  Greek farm practices and discover some real treats along the way on this linear walk through the Rhodian countryside.
The walk begins with pleasant level walking on good tracks through orange orchards and olive groves; if you look closely, you might also spot fig, pomegranate and lemon trees. Along the way it is interesting to see old and new style of irrigation systems and often combinations of the two. Rhodes has an abundance of water, mostly in large aquifers, making Rhodes quite green in comparison to some of the other Greek islands. Along the way we are likely to meet some local farmers and a shout of ‘Kaleemera’ (good morning) is well received with a smile and a wave.
Steady walking brings us into a small village where we can top up with water and enjoy ambling along the narrow streets. This is also a good chance to adjust boots and have a brief rest.
A good track leads away from the village but eventually peters out until we find ourselves on goat tracks weaving between the wild herbs, rousing the aroma of the Mediterranean as we brush past and experience the wild areas of Rhodes. You are likely to see goats, most of which are wild and often there are lizards seen basking in the sun.
After a while we reach a dirt track that leads us to a wide dried up river bed which is as much as two hundred meters wide and is the path to our lunch stop. We follow the riverbed ‘upstream’ to find what is perhaps the highlight of the walk, a deep and narrow slot canyon. This slot canyon, that many locals know nothing about, has approximately fifty-metre high walls but is only a few meters wide. This is a spectacular hidden gem of Rhodes and certainly worth the walk. The stream that winds its way through the canyon and the shade from the cliffs makes this a green, beautiful and cool place to stop for a bite to eat. There is the chance you will see wild terrapins in the stream and you might notice the change in the vegetation that the surface waters creates.
Returning down the other side of the riverbed after lunch, we head for a ridgeline. Once over this our path drops down into a pleasant valley and a brief walk on the road (the first encountered since the village) before we take a turning onto a track that leads to a valley full of ancient olive trees. Previously we have found here the attractive and thankfully harmless ladybird spider; this has a bright red abdomen with black spots like those of a ladybird.
Approaching the end of the walk now, we follow good tracks that lead us to a village and our end point. Here we have a good relationship with the taverna owner and we can sit under the enormous shade tree with a cold drink and maybe a Greek salad while we await our lift.

Day 4
Kritinia Castle.

Do not let the title of this walk mislead you, the valley leading from Kritinia village to the castle is one of the most fertile areas on Rhodes, here you will see all kinds of vegetable produce grown in the fields, see vegetables growing naturally in varied colours and shapes and not forced to be grown to fit any supermarket requirements.

The description of this route as found in Daily Guided Walks.

An excellent mid-length walk through interesting and contrasting terrain, this venture on the west side of the island makes a good low-level alternative. A good amount of interest is maintained throughout this walk.
Starting below the impressive Kritinia Castle, the first part of our walk takes us into some of the most fertile farmland of Rhodes. It can come as quite a surprise, after having walked or driven through the pine forests and Mediterranean scrubland found on much of Rhodes, to find yourself walking through fields filled with a huge variety of different fruit and vegetables. Every time we visit Kritinia we enjoy discovering this seasonal produce as we walk up through the valley.
As we approach the head of the valley, we start seeing signs of Kritinia village and reach the outskirts at an old church. Kritinia is a real locals village, most likely the old men will be sat in the shade putting the world to rights. Here is an opportunity to have a coffee and experience an alternative part of Rhodes. Having explored the village our walk takes us down the valley flanks in search of a good lunch spot. Your guide will help explain the options available for the optimum combination of view, shade and seating comfort.
At this point, there is a choice of route available that depends on how adventurous you are feeling. Firstly and most easily, we can stick to the farm tracks and explore the valley. Secondly, we have discovered a route that follows a streambed; however, due to minimal traffic it can be a little overgrown. If you are prepared for a bit of bush-whacking (long-trousers recommended) then there is the opportunity to discover a really wild almost jungle like corner of Rhodes and get an insight into how we find the walks you enjoy. Either way the paths meet up again a little further down the valley.
Our path now leads on towards the coast, what has so far been a wide and fertile agricultural valley begins to steepen and narrow. We skirt down the edge of this gorge like valley feature on to a superb single-track path. This path takes us all the way to the coast and a special little place you can only discover by coming on the walk.
A single-track leads uphill from here, skirting the cliffs and a magnificent position with great views. Over the top of the hill, we pass a bizarly positioned tennis court before finishing at the castle.

Day 5
Coastal Walk.

This contrasting walk allows you to see the magnificent rock cliffs along the coastline, with stone arches and numerous caves, winter time large green leaves grow from the apparent bulbs in the ground with clusters of small wild flowers sheltering between the rocks.

The description of this route as found in Daily Guided Walks.

Our walk begins in Tsambika Beach; the first part takes along the beach, where we go inland to walk around our first crag. There is a short but steep hill that is unwelcomed so early in the walk, however this hill reveals views as we ascend and on the top the coastline is seen as far as Lindos. As we continue Tsambika Beach disappears behind us.
The first part of the walk has suffered slightly from construction work placing a water pipeline up to Rhodes, which takes 10min to walk through.
We soon emerge onto a dirt track that we follow down to the coastline, with wild mountains behind us and the warm blue sea awaiting our return. Some dwellings have been built in this area and these people have chosen one of the most idyllic coastline spots in Rhodes.
As we emerge onto the coast the track diminishes and we have to walk around a small rock out crop and climb up a make shift ladder. The ladder is frequently changed or repaired by the local people, although judged by appearance it makes one consider before using it, stepping onto the rocky ledge we enter into a cove area full of white pebbles.
The path leads onto a track and into Stegna, an old fishing village, which now generates most of its income from tourism. With plenty of taverns and supermarkets to pickup replenishments, this will be our first rest stop of the day.
Walking out of Stegna there is a short hill that the road winds up through the last houses on the outskirts bringing us back into the countryside. We walk across a short valley feature that brings us to our first sandstone quarry.
From the end of the quarry area, the coastline opens up and Haraki village 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 when your pictures have been taken, they will bring back the memories of this panoramic coastline.
From our coastal walk we descend into Agathi beach, one of the best sandy beaches in Rhodes. Up to this point, the coastal walk does not have a lot of shade and we recommend that a late lunch be had on the Agathi Beach using one of the cantinas for shade, seating and supplies.
There is a choice from Agathi Beach, persons can either retire to Haraki Village, relax and "people watch" for the remainder of the afternoon, or explore with our guide the surrounding area, which there is a lot to see, Faraklos Castle, a cave in the rock beneath the castle, a 15th century chapel, and remnants of stone workings below the castle, ruins of a sugar refinery.