Trekking and Trails in Skyros

Skyros remains one of the least crowded and quiet islands. At the heart of the Aegean relies its fascinating natural beauty and rich cultural tradition. It is a place that holds up well to tradition, folk arts and authenticity.

Skyros is called the island of contrasts as the northwestern part of the island is a quiet, relatively flat and fertile area with rich vegetation and full of pine forests. There lies the second highest peak of the island, "Olympiani" (363 m altitude). On the contrary, the southeastern part of the island is mountainous, rugged and barren with the highest peak being Kohylas (altitude 792 meters). There lives the renowned Skyrian horses. (an ancient tribe of small bodied horses).

Friends and lovers of the mountain, will discover in Skyros a unique natural treasure. Wonderful natural monuments, spectacular landscapes, archaeological sites, chapels, remote settlements, beaches, coves, wetlands, unique fauna and flora, old pastoral paths. Its mild climate offers unique experiences close to nature. Here you can choose from simple walks in idyllic places to gentle climbing.

Climbing to the peaks of Kohylas and Olympian is one of the most exciting experiences one can experience on vacation.

In the framework of the LIFE Skyros Program (LIFE09 NAT / GR / 000323) implemented by the Municipality of Skyros in the period 2010-2015, with the financial support of the European Commission, eight (8) routes with interesting nature elements were marked and mapped. with the aim of highlighting the wealth of the island.

Download the Skyros topoguide app (http://www.topoguide.gr/islands/northern_aegeo/advs_skyros/skyros_hiking.php) for more details.

There are wooden signs at all routes informing you of your route and destination.

Route length: 6 km. Walking hours: 4

The walk starts from the Aris Plate, in a beautiful landscape of oaks, maples and foliage. The wider area is the natural habitat of the Skyrian horse.

Today there are frequent herds of pure and semi-Skyrian horses that drink water form Loutria, a dirt pit with rainwater. The route crosses Daphne Hill, perpendicular to the Ari Plate, continuing uphill to the top of Vouva to reach Maruliko Plate, a well-protected wind grazing area for sheep and goats.

The stony slopes of the route form the habitat of the Podarcis gaigae lizard, endemic to the Skyros archipelago. Route 1 is within the Natura 2000 Network Area "COHYLAS MOUNTAIN" (GR2420006).

(source: http://goevia.com/en/skyrosgr/activities-skyros/trekking-and-mountaineering-trails-in-skyros)

Worth Visiting

The Museum was founded in 1964 by Manos Faltaits and is one of the first local historical and folklore museums in Greece, as well as the most significant attraction with national reputation. It was created to save the traditional heritage of Skyros in order to pass on the message to the Greek state that the present and the future must be ''attached'' to tradition.

It dominates in the NE edge of the city and is built on the largest tower of the ancient Pelasgian walls of Skyros. Also, it is housed in the old ''Falntai' mansion, whose roots are lost in Byzantium.

The Australian author Corin Simson points out in his novel ''GREECE'' that ''...it is located in that side of the hill, before you enter the city, where you can approach it from the sea.. Many museums may be dull, but here, now and always, you will figure out what it is that embodies a soul's place and preserves aesthetics and tradition in the best way''...

In this museum, which is full of myths and history, we can see among others, all the elements of the daily life, art, speech and island's history from the post-Byzantine to modern times.

For more information download pdf (only Greek version)
Watch video here

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