7 More and More Challenging Walks in the Plakias- update and corrections 2003
A much updated (October 2003) version of this book is now available - with far more new detail than we can give here.
Many of the dirt tracks mentioned in this book have now been given an asphalt or concrete surface.
Walk 1 page 2-3
Since the monastic authorities have closed the path down to the Agios Onoufrios chapel, and put a private road - with guard dogs - through to it, we suggest starting the walk from Preveli Beach instead.
There are a number of new dirt tracks in the area, and the paths in the section from page 4, paragraph 8 to page 6, paragraph 5, are now almost none-existent or blocked by fences. We recommend heading inland after going through the wall opening in page 4, paragraph 3, then following the dirt tracks around the western side of Timeos Stavros to Lefkoyia - see the updated book for full details.
Kakomouri Headland Serious Path page 7-8
The start of this route has changed. Before reaching the tunnel mouth and the cliff it goes into, there is a large area of disturbed earth up on your left-hand side. Above it an undisturbed, upright but shallow rocky gully is visible. Make your way up the earth bank, climbing almost diagonally from the path, onto a flatter area of earth, and then up again. The earth gets steeper and finally runs up to a cliff-face, to the left of the rock gully, where even more earth has fallen away. Scramble up the steep earth to the undisturbed area and you will come to a narrow path that runs to the right between the cliff and some small bushes. Beyond the bushes, go out onto the ledge path, with a rocky wall immediately on your left. The shelf and path end, with a lower shelf and path below right, but do not go down to the latter. Look for rocky steps up the wall to the left and go up, to the next shelf. From here a zigzag route then climbs the next rock bank to reach a somewhat clearer path going to the right, under a steep cliff-wall. You should see a rocky ridge in front of you with a slit through which rocky steps go upwards. Climb up the steps to a little platform overlooking the sea. After crossing this viewpoint ridge, the path descends again, but do not continue straight on. You must soon go down to the right – between Euphorbia shrubs (these are non-spiny, but do produce a slightly caustic white latex from broken branches). Go cautiously here, because the path is narrow in several places – and then out onto a diagonally descending rock shelf, with a steep drop to the right. If at any point you are unhappy about the routing of this path, do not continue further on – return by the way you came. This shelf slopes down left at an angle and if you follow it down you should fairly soon, after edging around some overhanging bushes, come back onto a better path..
Kakomouri Headland Serious Path page 8, paragraph 6
There is no longer any need to go down to the right, by the wide gully (left), and the path is straightforward.
Kakomouri Headland Serious Path page 9, paragraph 3
When above the brown sand-pan, you can simply go up and left, on a zigzagging route through the rocks that will soon bring you to a view of a bend of the asphalt road to the Kalypso hotel.
Walk 2 page 10, paragraph 5
The concrete track down to the left is now an asphalt road. The new track cut across it has all but disappeared. At the water-control plant, go briefly left, then go right at the Pieralisi oil factory.
At the old church, the original path has gone - a new path, with water pipes, goes down, but you must turn right at the bottom to reach the factory.
Walk 2 page 11, paragraph 5
At the ruins, you should stay with the main track to the left, but shortly afterwards, fork right onto a a dirt track that soon narrows to a path. Stay with this - the 'track' in the later part of the paragraph.
Walk 2 page 12, paragraph 3
The main path is now very obvious. Once at the rim of the coastal slope in paragraph 5, follow the red marks and cairns. The Drimiskianos-Preveli path is now much clearer than before.
Walk 3 page 15, paragraph 4-6
The main summit has now been fenced, and the lower part of the path has almost entirely disappeared.
Walk 3 page 16, paragraph 3
The path down from the saddle is now clearer, and much of it is marked by cairns.
Walk 3 page 16, paragraph 5
Because of improved connexions (paragraph 7 no longer applies), we now recommend descending to Myrthios rather than Mariou. Beyond the Goat-shed hotel, turn right - follow tracks down to the Myrthios cemetery and then into the village..
Walk 4 page 18, paragraph 3-4
Substitute the following paragraph: !!! The onward path is not very clear, at least initially. Mud-stained rocks can be useful indicator. It continues, following the line established by the last section of track, into the shallow upper part of the little valley. Cross to the left of centre of the valley and then start climbing more steeply and slightly to the right, with some spectacular views out to the left. In about 10 minutes, there is a flatter area at the true head of the valley.
Walk 4 page 21, paragraph 2 to page 22, paragraph3
The initial descent. is now more straightforward - substitute the following: Ahead of you the path runs up to a section of fence across the valley floor. Beyond this, a further fence runs parallel with the valley, dividing it into two. Go through the opening section into the right-hand half. Follow the path downwards - it starts its descent quite steeply and goes to the left of a cypress tree. Continue with the long descent, until, very near the lower mouth of the valley, where the slope steepens, the path swings to the right of centre briefly and then zigzags down to the left. Once on the more open hillside, you can see the end of a dirt track round to the left which you are aiming for. Follow a comparatively level path, which will lead you to an opening section of fence, beyond which you can connect easily with the track. The track descends past a muddy spring and some evergreen oleander bushes. Soon you will turn off to the right and into a large field. below to the right !!! Part way down the right hand side of this field, look for an opening in the fence and go through. Continue down hill through the next field, to the right of the fence, then left around the corner at the bottom. Follow the path down and then right, to descend a short, unploughed rocky bank to the lower section of field.
Walk 5 page 22-23
The route past Koxare castle is now overgrown - we suggest following Walk 6 as far as Atsipades, and go second left at the 'big 3-way junction' (now 4-way). Join the obvious ascending track up the mountain.
Walk 5 page 25
We would recommend you take the new track up to the church on the summit of Kouroupa, for fabulous views. We no longer recommend the onward descent to Asomatos.
Walk 6 page 27, paragraph 3-5
Most of the paths are now dirt tracks, albeit fading towards the end, but the little stream-crossing path remains the same.
Walk 7
The Frati (Fratiano) Gorge is still there, as is - just about - the path.
Walk 7 page 29, paragraph 7
Here at the ridge, you should now go down to the right - there are the remnant walls of a zigzag of path. Continue down and right cautiously and you should reach a slightly better path very soon.
Walk 7 page 31, paragraph 6 to page 32, start of paragraph 4
This section has - following extensive fire damage - few discernable paths. There are two fence exits, near the yellow-walled, red-roofed house.
© Lance Chilton 2003
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