Walks in Northeast Thasos (book and map)

This book describes twentyone walks based on the adjacent resorts of Skala Potamias and Golden Beach (Khrysi Amoudia). Many of the walks would be possible from Thasos Town (Limenas), using the local buses.

Panagia village, nestled in the mountains, with pine forest immediately behind, is the highest (275m) and oldest village in the area. It has an alpine ambience, and its stone roofs are in distinct contrast to the red tiles of Potamia and elsewhere. Its coastal region is Khrysi Amoudia (sometimes spelt "Chrissy Ammoudia"), which translates as the Golden Beach of brochures. This latter area has a campsite, tavernas and scattered tourist accommodations, with a small harbour area at the far northeast end.

Potamia village is less compact, but wedged in the fertile valley below Ypsario. Behind it, there is rich woodland, with pines, walnuts and sweet-chestnut trees. There has been some logging in this area, and consequently a proliferation of dirt tracks. The valley widens to a broad plain leading down to Skala Potamias at the shore – a skala is the coastal port of an inland settlement. Most of Skala Potamias is at the south end of the bay, towards a fishing harbour and large harbour square.

The book includes routes along the coast between the two resorts, and onwards from Golden Beach to Thasos Town (Limenas); to Potamia in its green valley; to the traditional village of Panagia with its stone-roofed houses; and into the hills behind. Longer, more challenging walks follow an ancient cobbled kalderimi path up to Profitis Ilias Theologos church on the southern rim of the Potamia valley; to the high summits of Ypsario (1204m) and Profitis Ilias (1108m); and further afield with walks to or through Paleo Kastro, Megalo Kazaviti, Rahoni and Theologos.

The coastal scenery features a huge sweep of beach, and a fertile plain dotted with houses, fields and tall poplar trees. Inland, wooded hills with oaks, chestnut and pines rise to a great limestone palisade over 1km high. There are very large marble quarries nearby, but they are not visible to any great extent from the resorts, although some of the higher walks have views down to them. The area has an abundant and interesting flora in spring.

There is a wide variety of walks from the easy to the moderately challenging. Some of the higher paths are quite stony and obviously there is considerable ascent and descent to reach the summits. Most en route villages have café facilities. The weather can be quite changeable in spring and autumn. Abundant woodland provides shade on many of the walks.

Large-scale sketch maps of Golden Beach, Panagia, Potamia and Skala Potamias are included within the text.

The 40-page book is A5 size, with a card cover. It is accompanied by an A3 double-sided colour walkers' map of Northeast Thasos covering Skala Potamias, Golden Beach, Panagia, Potamia, Ypsario and Profitis Ilias, at a scale of approximately 5.3cm:1km. Book and map are supplied in a tough A5 plastic sleeve.

Book first published 1997, updated 2008; map published 2003.

ISBN 978-1-900802-73-4

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Lance Chilton and Marengo 2010

Marengo, 17 Bernard Crescent, Hunstanton PE36 6ER, England