Discovery Walk €35pp
Duration:
4-8hrs 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 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 riverbed which is as much as five 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.
Equipment:
You will require adequate foot wear for walking on these paths, walking boots are advisable. We suggest that you wear light long sleeve shirts and light trousers in addition to a sun hat, sun cream sunglasses. You should bring a rucksack or similar, as it will be necessary to carry your lunch, personal items and at least two liters of water.
Food:
This walk can be done in part (4hrs) or whole (8hrs) and you should bring sufficient food and water to last the day; we do pass through a village were food and water can be purchased, it is advisable not to rely on the shop being open it is best to bring what food and water (2 ltrs) to sustain you through the day. The best rule of thumb is always to come away from a walk with some food and water spare.
Walking conditions:
This walk is mostly on good paths, there are some areas that become slightly uneven underfoot, a dry river bed and a short length that takes onto open land with a little negotiating around shrubs required. There are shaded area and open areas best to be prepared against the sun. The landscape is rolling hills so there is some uphill walking, however the hill are fairly short and well spaced.
Stops & Breaks:
There are two villages on this route, the first we shall stop for refreshments and the second is the end of our route, we stop for lunch at a hidden gorge not known to many, here it will be cool and shaded from the sun. Throughout the day, there is plenty of opportunity to stop for a rest, to admire the view or to take photos.
