Profitis Ilias €35pp
Duration:
5hrs As you approach the start and end point of this mountain walk you may notice the Italian influence on the architecture of 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 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. From here it is common to be able to see Turkey.
From here a metre 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. The ridge line is gained with views to the other side of the mountain, it is just a short walk from here to the summit and a welcome place to eat and enjoy the view. 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.
At this point we leave the paths behind and follow a route known only to a few locals through a forest of Kermes Oaks. 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 a 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.
Equipment:
You will require walking boots and walking socks for support and comfort while walking. It is advisable to wear light long sleeve shirts and light trousers in addition to a sun hat, sun cream sunglasses. You should bring a rucksack, as it will be necessary to carry your lunch, personal items and at least two litres of water.
Food:
This is a reasonably long walk and you should bring sufficient food and water to last the day; there are no shops on route to buy food and water. The best rule of thumb is always to come away from a walk with some food spare.
Walking conditions:
This walk is mostly on good tracks, there is one trackless section but the terrain is not too severe. There is a good amount of shade on route. We do the majority of the uphill walking at the start of the day when it is cooler.
Stops & Breaks:
We usually stop for lunch on the top of the mountain. Throughout the day, there is plenty of opportunity to stop for a rest, to admire the view or to take photos.
