KAPI - SYKAMIA

Part Km Time Kapi - Pelopi   2h Pelopi - Ypsilometopo 6 1h 15' Ypsilometopo - Stypsi 3 30' Stypsi - Vafios   1h 15' Vafios - Argenos 5 1h 15' Argenos - Chalikas   1h Chalikas - Lepetymnos   1h Lepetymnos - Sykamia   1h 15'

Mount Lepetymnos marks the northern end of the island. Around the mountain a chain of villages forms a circle on its slopes.

We start our route from Kapi (1), a small village by the road of Mantamados, We walk westwards under the shadow of the magnificent mountain above evergreen ravines covered with olive trees, poplar and oak trees, The streams from the slopes meet in Tsilonias the large river of Kalloni Gulf. The first town we meet is Pelopi (2) welcoming us with its amazing vegetation, It is built about a ravine originating at the steep slopes of the mountain. Cafes by the ravine surrounded by numerous bridges form a lovely scenery. A path overlooking a splendid site starts from here and leads up to the peaks of Mt, Lepetymno (Vigla, Profet Elias).

More to the west Ypsilometopo (3) planted all over with plum trees crowned by the monument of Taxiarhis, which faces the large valley of Kalloni. Below the village a path brings us to the relics of an early Christian church. At Stypsi (4), with its two churches and St. George' s rock a number of cafes offer some rest. A rural road connects this village with the main road of Kalloni - Petra. Just above, at the gorge, one has a full view of Petra. The Ligona ravine with the remnants of its twenty water - mills still waters the valley below. The stone - paved path ("monopati") dates back to antiquity. At its sides extends the village of Ai Dimitris with plenty of water and ruins of the past spreading all over the slopes among a rich vegetation of evergreen oaks, wild apple trees, oak an pear trees: A part of Mt. Lepetymno. Eventually, we arrive at Vafios(5), a small village and the beginning of a new rote which faces the open sea and the Baba - cape of Asia Minor - the "White End" of Ancient Creeks. The road from here leads to the lovely town of Mithymna. We shall proceed eastwards to meet Argenos (6) hanging like an eagle's nest on the rocks of the mountain. Perennial chestnut trees surround the numerous paths that lead uphill to naked stone plateaus, water springs and steep upright cliffs.

On our way we meet the remnants of Chalika, whose inhabitants were driven to a new lower settlement after a sinking of the soil in 1962. Their new home bears the name of the mountain itself, Lepetymnos (7). There is a road and several paths leading to the thermal springs of the coast, to antique sites full of ruins and to the village of Ai Dimitris. The last village of our itinerary is Sykamia (8). Its special beauty consists of its stone - built house, its narrow stone - paved streets, the warm sage - tea and the fresh bitter almond drink "sooumada" of its cafes. A number of paths lead to different peaks o the mountain. They are "goat - paths" facing the blue sea and the contrasting naked peaks of Mt. Lepetymnos (Myrivili) which reflect the sun. Down by the sea, at the picturesque harbour based on a rock stands the chapel of "Panagia Gorgona" (our Lady the Mer - maid). From here, one might, following the coast line, go all the way to the site of the fabulous "Mighty Mithymna", alias Molyvos of the Middle Ages.