Trekking Routes
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The Municipality of Mantamados offers nature lovers numerous destinations to explore, as well as some beautiful hiking trails. There are several locations that combine excellent hiking with a glimpse into the history and cultural heritage of our island. The coastal arch that connects the areas of Pedi and Palio has a number of scenic beaches, secluded coves and other points of natural beauty waiting to be explored by all those who enjoy the sea and all that it has to offer. However, aside from the coastal areas, the Municipality offers a variety of mountain trails that can be explored either on foot or horseback. One of these trails heads out towards the Koukmidos district. If you follow the road to Kapi, that traverses the pine forest of Agios Zaharias, you will eventually arrive in Koukmidos. This is an area of particular natural beauty thanks to the creek that runs through it. Passing the small stone bridge and the adjacent fountain, you reach the ruins of the village of Koukmidos, which have been preserved in relatively good condition.  This village was occupied almost exclusively by Muslims, but it was deserted and subsequently ransacked by villagers from neighboring communities following the island’s liberation from the Turks in December of 1912. Its bathhouse is almost intact, while the remains of the mosque and a beautiful stone fountain with dual arches can also be found there, since the Turks were known to have an appreciation for elaborate fountains. The Beautification Club of Kapi recently restored the fountain, and covered the rear part of it that had been exposed to the elements for years. The fountain’s water supply comes directly from the mountain, cold and crystal clear. Another beautiful trail leads hikers and riders through the centuries old pines, leading them to the district’s lush valley that’s known as Platania, with its overflowing creeks that rush down from Lepetymnos and irrigate the entire region. This is where the Metropolitan Church of Agios Ioannis (St. John) once stood, and where a three day celebration was held and in which all the residents of the neighboring villages of Mantamados and Napi used to participate. The Platania valley is divided into two districts, Konta and Piso Perivolia, which are crisscrossed by a number of creeks. In Piso Perivolia, one can witness an exceptional natural phenomenon at the location known as “Agia Fotia”, where there is a small chapel where mass is held on the holiday of the Holy Spirit. Next to the chapel there is a giant boulder that inexplicably balances on top of a smaller one, and from which during the summer months there drips a steady flow of water, that is drunk by the locals as holy water. The trail that starts at the intersection from the Pedi to Agia Marina-Halika-Peristeries-Mankatsa road traverses some of the island’s most beautiful areas. Starting out from the cobbled path that’s located next to the Byzantine bridge of Pedi, just past the intersection, we head up hill towards Agia Marina in Kavakli, under the cool shade of centuries old olive and koumaria trees on either side of the path. At times the trees are so dense that sunlight hardly makes it through to the path, but at certain spots hikers and riders get the chance to enjoy spectacular views of the sea and the neighboring Tokmakia islets with their intricate coastlines. As we continue along the trail, we come to a clearing full of large boulders, old mill stones and foundations of homes from centuries past, which are most probably the ruins of the ancient town of Aigeirou. A small distance from this sit we find the chapel of Agia Marina, and right next to funerary tomb that has been carved in stone. As we continue along, we encounter the old village that was abandoned by its residents almost a century ago, and head north along the cobblestone path to the new village. Legend has it that it was created by a Turkish pasha that once owned the entire area. In many spots we encounter clusters of centuries-old pine, shrub oak and other indigenous trees, up until the path starts heading downhill towards the valley of Halikas, with the large stone bridge and the abandoned water mill. On the Kavakli plateau, the air is always fresh and cool, even on the hottest days. Heading southwards, we come to Peristeries, where we encounter a Byzantine fountain with the best water in the area, which flows into the impressive Lakko Mankatsas Creek, along with all the other natural springs. This creek is one of nature’s more interesting creations; although apparently calm and peaceful, it ends up in some extremely tall and jagged rock formations that in winter months transform it into rapidly flowing waterfall that empties into a dark lagoon with strong undercurrents and a diameter of approximately 50-70 meters. This lagoon is hardly visible from the creek’s lower bank, where the trail is located, since it is concealed behind a thick layer of trees and brush. One local legend has it that a beautiful shepherd girl used to seduce the boys from the surrounding villages to this spot, only to send them plummeting to their deaths from the tall rock formations into the dark lagoon.  There are numerous other trails that nature lovers can explore in the area, such as the one in the Laggadas district that follows a route between the chapels of Agios Demetrios and Panagia, the quaint little church of Agios Minas with its old fountain hidden amongst the dense vegetation. The Sarakina area is also worth mentioning. It is situated on the area’s rough but beautiful coast, secluded and quite a distance away from the village, where one can explore the hideouts of the Saracen pirates that used to terrorize the Aegean Sea. The area is full of ruins from various periods, which include building foundations, tombs carved into cliff sides and old wells. Mount Lepetymnou, with its 968 meter peak that dominates the skyline above Pelopi, is an extremely beautiful natural monument that’s ideal for hiking. There are numerous trails that lead to its peak, one of the most popular of these being the one that goes through the village and dense clusters of almond, shrub plane and plane trees. After approximately one hour of hiking towards the peak, we begin to encounter alpine scenery, which continues all the way up to the observation post that’s located at the top of the mountain. Upon arriving at the observation post, the traveler is treated to a spectacular panoramic view of Lesvos, the neighboring islets and the coasts of Asia Minor, while envisioning the lost city of Troy over the horizon. The famous chapel of the Prophet Elijah is located to the Northwest of the peak, right along the mountain’s crest, precariously perched upon a titanic boulder. It’s quite obvious that the Municipality of Mantamados has something to offer to even the most demanding nature-lover, from the lovely beaches of Northeast Lesvos to the awe-inspiring beauty of Mount Lepetymnou. We’ll be expecting you. |
