The Touristic Info Halkidiki informs - Hiking on Halkidiki

Chalkidiki - Polygyros cave hiking to Tsoukalas

This walk takes one up onto the mountain over-looking Polygyros from the southeast.

The first part of the trip provides panoramic views of the city and terrain to the northwest, as it winds its way up to the church of the Prophet Elias.

This church, with its large stone cross, is a prominent landmark that stands high above the town. The route then follows the mountain ridge leading east to the Telecommunications masts on the summit of Stavrou Tuba (942m). This is followed by a steep descent down a ridge back to Polygyros. The paths on this route have all been made through the scrubland in the last few years and should be in good condition; so stout shoes should suffice (2 1/2 hours).

This hillside previously inaccessible is well endowed with flowering shrubs, flowers, and butterflies, according to the season.

Polygyros, standing at 600m above sea level, is the administrative centre of Halkidiki. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the citizens of Polygyros began the uprising in 1821 against the Turks. This eventually led to the ousting of the Turks from the area in 1912. Polygyros has an interesting archaeological museum with artefacts from all over Halkidiki.

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Chalkidiki - Taxiarchis to Vrastama

This walk between the mountain villages of Taxiarhis and Vrastama starts at a height of 640m above sea level and finishes at 450m, so it is mainly downhill with a few ups and downs along the way.

The route follows an old smuggling and shepherds track through the Holomondas Mountains. The starting point for the walk is the beautiful village square at Taxiarhis. Here stands a marble monument to a war hero: loannis Parliaris Hero of Macedonia (1903-1913).

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Chalkidiki - Vrastrama to the church of Agios Efthymios

This walk is quite arduous and difficult in places requiring good footwear, and should not be attempted after heavy rainfall. The walk Starts in the high mountain village of Vrastama and follows an unsurfaced road over the hill behind the village to descend along a narrow ridge into the large valley beyond. The many deep ravines cutting through the valley restrict the possibilities for easy progress and it is necessary in places to descend into the beds of streams and follow watercourses.

The highlight of the walk is a visit to a natural cave, Ag. Efthymios at the bottom of a remote ravine. This was once the home of a hermit, and is now a shrine.

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Chalkidiki - Through the Holomondas to Paleohora

This long walk Starts almost at the summit of Mt. Holomondas above the village of Taxiarhis and then descends through remote terrain to the village of Paleohora, 10km to the northwest.

The route follows modern forest tracks as well as much older mule tracks in its gradual descent through beautiful forest, bush and farmland. The start of the route is a forest track on the left hand side of the road from Taxiarhis to Arnea, approximately 3.3 km north of the junction of the road to Arnea with the road leading down into the village of Taxiarhis. Look for the way marker sign, which should be prominently displayed.

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Chalkidiki - Olympiada to Stagira

This short but interesting walk takes one through the archaeological remains of the Ancient City of Stageira, which was situated on the two small hills, overlooking the sea, at the northwestern corner of Olympiada.

It then ascends the hill to the south of the town on a forest track providing a fine woodland walk, with the added bonus of panoramic views over Olympiada and its bay below. A quick descent to the village then follows on a narrow, hunters' path, and the walk ends with a stroll along the beach.

Olympiada is a refugee village built after 1922, but only a kilometre east of the village is the site of the ancient city of Stageira; probably the most important historical site in Halkidiki. During the 7th Century B.C. Stageira was colonized first by Andrians and then, later, by Chalceans. The city was taken over by the Persians in the Persian Wars and became a member of the Athenium Alliance. Later in 424 B.C. the city rebelled and joined the Lacedaemonians, causing it to be besieged by the Athenians without success. Stageira later became a member of the Chalcidean League, until Philip destroyed it in 348 B.C.; who later rebuilt it in order to honour Aristotle.

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