Natural Routes ()

The E6 is the European path with the large routes that crosses and connects the countries of Europe. In the prefecture of Drama it enters from the area of Kato Vrontou and exits from Paranesti, after crossing the Falakro Mountain. The lowest altitude of the route is located in Paranesti, at 120 meters, while the highest is in the Falakro, at 1800 meters. The route exceeds 90 kilometers, and the total walking time is estimated at 35-40 hours.

The hiking trails are functional and they are offered to cross Pangaio of the side of Kavala where there are the paths of the Auli, of Nikisiani, of "Black Water" and Mesoropi. More information can be found on the website of one Greek Mountaineering Club of Kavala http://www.eoskavalas.gr. The trails, connect Chortiati with Pangaio and Rhodope (E6). They Cross Halkidiki, ancient Amphipoli, Pangaio and end in the village Toxotes, in Nestos. Only the parts of Pangaio have been marked, from Auli village up to Nikissiani and from Amphipolis up to the peak. The only part of the path, that has been marked, is the part of Amphipolis (archaeological site), over Pangaio, with superb views of the sea and the plain of Philippi, until Nikissiani villages and Eleutheroupoli.

From Kamariotissa, take the Kamariotissa - Lakkoma provincialroad and after 3.2km turn left towards Alonia and after 1.3km youreach the settlement.Alonia is a traditional small farming settlement in the island’svalley. Agios Athanasios Monastery, with its miraculous icon,is a pilgrimage destination and was a dependent of the IberianMonastery from 1771 until 1965.After Alonia, return to the Kamariotissa – Lakkoma ProvincialRoad and continue towards Lakkoma, crossing Alonoudia WildLife Refuge. It is a hilly area with sparse bushes, covering 875acres. Bird watching can be done at the refuge.4km from Alonia on the road to Lakkoma, turn left and 900mdown the road you will reach Makrilies, a small settlement whichtook its name from the type of olives which are produced in theregion. A small distance away, north of Makrilies is the mountainvillage of Xiropotamos, built along the length of a stream of thesame name in dense vegetation with vast olive groves, meadowsand plentiful running water. The road to the Xiropotamos Gorge isa unique experience.After Makrilies, return to Kamariotissa-Lakkoma Provincial Roadand after 1km you reach Lakkoma, a small farming village withtraditional houses. Three old oil presses have survived in the area,an example of Samothraki early industrial architecture (1900-1920) which were in operation until 1985. (Prophet Elias) is only2.6km from Lakkoma. It is worth the drive. Nowhere else is lambon the spit so delicious as in this small village. As for sunset fromthe Prophet’s Chapel, it is as if you are flying in Apollo’s chariottowards the West.From Lakkoma, set off for Dafnes (1km) and from there PachiaAmmos is 6km. On the road towards Pachia Ammos, give in totemptation and take the uphill dirt track toward Panagia Kremniotissa.The chapel of the same name, hanging from a rock, willreward as much with its view as with its tranquility. You can alsofind refreshments and try some eclectic mezedes in the smallcafé in the area. According to tradition, Panagia Kremniotissa isonly one of 999 churches on the island.Pachia Ammos is the most beautiful beach on the island. Theinaccessible south-eastern shores can be reached by boat fromPachia Ammos. The southernside of the island is hidden,with unique volcanic formation,the largest cataract onthe Mediterranean, Kremasto,sandy coves and difficultpasses. The enchanting placeTis Grias ta Pania and theimpressive beaches of Vatos,with its deep water and goodfishing, and Giali are a truedelight on a boat trip.Kipos is a beautiful rockybeach on the south-westshores of the island and canbe reached by boat from Therma or Kamariotissa. It is calledKipos because it is said that during the Hellenistic Period therewas a large garden there.Mountaineering tourismThe particular characteristic of the island,Mount Saos, has recently beenincluded in the European MountainTrail (E6). The view is excellent fromits peak and Imvros, Tenedos, Limnosand Agion Oros (Mount Athos) canbe seen clearly, as Ion Dragoumis,writer and politician at the beginningof the 20th century, observed with hisown eyes.Numerous paths toward the summit from different startingpoints. Duration: 4 hours, level of difficulty: 3. The FeggariMountaineering Association organizes trips at regular intervalsthroughout the summer and organizes a climb with overnightstay for the August full moon. The association has a refuge inKoufouklio (970m) and never tires to point out that on Saos youwill find loose soil, steep gorges and demands care, a companionand adherence to the officialpaths.Diving TourismFor diving tourism, pleasecontact the SamothrakiDiving Centre, for divingat Kati, Vatos, Ladoxeraand around the remainsof the 1950 shipwreckKarkani of Romanianconstruction.Bird watchingVdelolimni is a typicalwetland for bird overwinteringand is formed by estuaries from the River Fonia. AgiosAndreas sea lagoon, near Kamariotissa, is also interesting forbird watchers. Kingfishers (Alcedo atthis), Levant Sparrowhawks(Accipiter brevipes) and Hobbies (Falco subbutueo) frequent theforests next to the shore, where they come out to hunt in theevening.Holidays – Feasts19 October: National Holiday, anniversary of independence fromOttoman Rule (1912)18 January, Feast Day of St. Athanasios (near Alonia Village)30 January, Feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs (Samothraki Town)Easter Thursday, Feast of Our Lady KamariotissaSunday of Thomas: Celebration of 5 neo-martyrs of Samothraki;Manuel, George, Micheal, Theodore and George who weremartyred in 1836.The Ascension (Therma)20 July, Profitis Ilias26 July, Agia Paraskevi (Paleopolis)6 and 15 August (Therma)FestivalsKaviria: Summer cultural eventswith musical evenings and theatreperformances, as well as night timetours around the archaeological sitein Paleopolis. Place: SamothrakiTown, Kamariotissa. Therma.Samothraki Dance Festiνal: Whatstarted as a party of friends playingelectronic music, has developed intoan August beach party.

Northeast of Chrisoupoli there is an area characterized by a moderate 20 smaller wetlands. Of these, seven are considered major lakes and ponds. It covers a total area of about 20 sq.km. This area connects ecologically and geographically the Nestos Delta, the riparian forest and the nearby northern mountainous region. This is reflected in the wide range of habitats and diversity of animal and plant species. This uniqueness in the Nestos Delta in conjunction with the second important factor, the agriculture and animal husbandry, brought to the region, created an ecologically valuable area. Due to the data of natural conditions and under the influence of agriculture and grazing a rich mosaic was created that compose wild areas with grass, scrub, scrub forest vegetation, orchards, olive groves, other crops, reeds, magazines floodplains and permanent water surfaces. The stagnant freshwater surrounded with reeds and marshy areas give the area great ecological value, which is maximized due to neighboring to a variety of dryland (karst formations, dry meadows, prinones, pasture, etc.). As already noted, a major factor that shapes the region is the agriculture. Due to the rather mild land use it contributed decisively to the diversity of habitats and species. So here the visitor is not just approaching nature but is simply displayed in a rural landscape of great ecological value, which betrays the harmonious coexistence of nature and man. The fact that within a single research were found over 400 species of plants, confirms the rich flora of the region of Lakes of Chrisoupoli. The lakes with reed beds are partially covered with spectacular carpets of lilies (Nymphea alba), 15 orchid species recorded in the area. This number corresponds to 43% of species in the region. For example Limodorum abortivum and hybrids Orchis morio x papilionacea and Serapias vomeracea ssp. longipetala x bergonii. The combination of trees and shrubs in the area seems to have high positions in this massif, characteristic of which are the Yew, the Palioyri the Gortsia, anchovy and downy oak (Quercus pubescens) etc. While anyone can see the riparian forest, willows, poplars, etc. 13 species of freshwater fish are shown in the waters of the lakes. The presence of species such as Leucaspius delineatus, Rhodeus sericeus amarus and Cobitis stroumicae even proves good water quality in the region and suggests ecologically unpolluted waters. Like the fauna of amphibians, the bulk of reptile fauna of the total area is endemic in the Lake District of Chrisoupoli, or mainly at ease. 8 species of amphibians and 12 species of reptiles were observed in the Alatzagkiolas. During the period 1981 to 1995 there has been recorded in lakes of Chrisoupoli a total of 211 species of birds. From the breeding species Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), the Purple (Ardea purpurea), the Petrotrilida (Burhinus oedicnemus), quail (Coturnix coturnix), the Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) stand out the Roller (Coracias garrulus), while the region is an important feeding area for storks. In winter a few dozen Pygmy Cormorants (Phalacrocorax pygmeus) are gather here to find food and have been observed to hunt on a regular basis the Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), and vultures (Gyps fulvus). Examples of mammalian fauna that find suitable habitat here is the Jackal, the badger, the fox, the weasel, marten etc.

hereafter, we pass through the settlement of Perivlepto to reach Paranesti. The route through oak forests lasts 6 hours. From Paranesti we will drive towards Leivaditi with an uphill and difficult route, wich also lasts 6 hours.