Tiseo ridge

We begin following a dirt road, which is very close to the small inshore settlement of Marathia. This road swerves on the slope and then crosses it towards the east. After 1890m, the wide trail shines out, 230 m next to a large water tank.

We follow this trail, which is actually an eroded alley, and we go uphill on the steep slope. After 660m the alley ends at an open bare area. Up to this point, we follow some orange marks, sparsely painted on the trees. Now, we enter a rockier terrain, where scarce marks of orange color indicate the less difficult axis. Finally, following a faint path, we arrive at a beautiful field with fallen trunks, where one can enjoy the stunning view to the sea.

The trail is now more clearly defined and better indicated with red marks. We hike towards the peak of Floka, walking under high deciduous bushes. We reach the peak after swerving easily on the slope and there we find the trig pint, a small fence and a damaged anemometer. Here we can enjoy the panoramic view to the Mediterranean landscape and to the Aegean Sea.

We should be aware that from this point on, there is neither signage nor path and the terrain is rocky and flimsy. Nevertheless, there are no exposed areas to the cliffs or other dangerous passages.

We need to go downhill and reach the col between Floka and Evzonas, which is the higher summit of Mt Tisseo. Then, we ascend to Evzonas peak, passing by a shorter one sooner. The last section before we arrive at Evzonas is a demanding hike on a steep slope where we can use the fragmented limestone rocks in order to move safely.

The summit area of the peak is wider than that of Flokas and the view is even more beautiful. The mountains of Central Greece, Euboea, Mt Olympus and Pelion itself remind us again to embrace this precious moment.

The first part of the descent is also adventurous and suspenseful. Nevertheless, the terrain is milder and easier to access. We start by swerving on the right side of the ridge, trying to find the easiest passage. We pass next to a natural rocky roof and reach the horizontal part of the ridge. There, we find a twins orange-marked cairns. Then, we follow the rocky slope, being careful not to miss the scarce orange marks. Gradually, we start seeing the path, more clearly defined on the ground. It takes us to a large open area, known as Lakka Karatasou. The sparse marks guide us until a horizontal field where we should see an old wild pear tree.

From this point we can see a rocky crest extending to the west and we follow this direction. The scattered rocks block partially our view to the trail but we bear in mind that the goat tracks and the mud on the rocks from their paw prints show our way. We easily reach the first peak and continue downhill on a well-indicated trail with some few red marks.

Soon we find ourselves at a col where there is a green field and the remains of an old pen. Then we take the barely distinguishable trail and go uphill towards the next peak where we should see a trig point. We start now our last downhill section before we arrive at the area of Diakopi. Immediately after, a cairn leads us to the ruined tower of an ancient fortification.

We fοllow the fortress wall only for a while, until we start going downhill on a better defined trail. This trail takes us to the dirt road which we follow in order to find the col of Diakopi.

An old earth alley, barely visible at first, brings us to another dirt road after 780m, where we need to follow the concrete alley in order to find the town square of Trikeri village.

Read more