Makrinitsa – Pouri via the western refuge of Mt. Pelion

The start of our route is at the town square of Makrinitsa and, more specifically, at the church of Agios Ioannis, where we can see a monumental fountain. We go uphill, following a combination of cobbled streets in order to cross the village. After we pass multiple roads and cobbled paths, we reach the top of the settlement, a location offering magnificent view to the western areas of Mt Pelion. Following a dirt road we arrive at the Profitis Hlias plateau. There we can see the big church, in the middle of a well-preserved churchyard. Next to the church we see a fountain with refreshing water.

After our visit to the church, we follow the trail and cross the dirt road for two more times, until we get to the next dirt road. Then, we pass by the wide ravine of Kaliakouda. On the stream, the nice single-arched stone bridge of Karya built in 1934, is still preserved. Although there might be water streaming in the ravine until the end of the spring, we can use the dirt road as a passage to the other side.

Soon after we leave the bridge of Karya, we start walking, for the next 1.3k, on an uphill dirt road. Just before the end of this dirt road, we go steadily uphill on the well-indicated trail, following the red signs and under the dense canopy cover of the beech trees. Along this section we often come across fallen trees, branches and thick foliage, which remain there after the annual forest harvest and might block up partially our passage. Then, we keep following the trail which swerves inside the dense forest. Finally, we reach a more open location, with scattered beech stands and rocky fields.

Very soon, we reach a dirt road and go to the right, until we arrive at the Western Refuge of Mt Pelion, which is a nice and well-preserved single-room building, equipped with a fireplace. It is usually open to the hikers.

We now leave the hut and follow the well-maintained trail, which takes us downhill towards the East, under the dense forest. For the next 1850m, we follow the old section of the trail, untill we meet the dirt road.

From this point and till we arrive at the church of Agia Marina of Pouri, we walk on the dirt road. After the church, we follow the trail, which short-cuts the dirt road. We meet this road shortly after, and we walk on it, in order to reach to the main road of Pouri.

This is a very well-indicated hike with red signs and some scattered signs.

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