“Kardamyli Kalderimi”
Kardamyli – Agia Sophia – Petrovouni – Proastio – Kardamyli
Timings
- Around 3 hours in total
- Kardamyli-Petrovouni: 1 hour 15 mins
- Petrovouni-Proastio: 1 hour
- Proastio- Kardamyli: 40 mins
- map of walk
Nature of Walk
A real classic of the area, passing historic Old Kardamyli before climbing to around 200m above sea level to enjoy great views down to the coast. Initially, a steep kalderimi heads up to Agia Sophia, a small village perched above Kardamyli, with views down into the Viros Gorge. The path then immediately drops back down again into a shady gully before gently rising again to Petrovouni. From here to Proastio the path crosses a plateau covered in superb olive groves. The descent from Proastio is fast and ends up with the option of a cooling swim at Kalamitsi before the short walk back to Kardamyli.
Places of Interest
Old Kardamyli. A little further up the kalderimi lie the supposed Tombs of the Dioscouri. The tiny village of Petrovouni is interesting to walk around and you could spend a few hours in Proastio, looking at a few churches and having a meze in a kafenion.
The walk begins at the northern end of Kardamyli at the village square where there is plenty of room for parking. Head up the lane by the war memorial and keep following it once you have passed the last houses. Where the recently restored stone path crosses a small bridge, you need to head up a small way-marked path, past a small church (with a couple of ossuary’s, which you can peek into if you feel inclined), following it round into the square of the Troupakis Fortified Settlement and its museum.
Exit the square through the arch by the church and pick up the path ahead of you (clearly marked with black and yellow marks). This path takes you all the way up to Agia Sophia – you can see the priests house perched above you. After 100m you’ll pass the Dioscouri Tombs on your right. Carry on up the kalderimi with a gorge initially on your right and then the Viros Gorge on your left. After around 25 minutes a stone arch that fronts a dried-up spring appears on your right – turn right and up to reach the church of Agia Sophia.
From the church, heads past the cemetery and 40m after turn right down a track taking you down into the gully below. The path narrows and is a little difficult in places before reaching the streambed. Cross the stream and the path continues to the right. After 500m you will come to another stone cistern this time with water in and troughs to hand for washing clothes. A green walkers sign (Kardamyli) indicates a right turn. Follow the path below a low cliff on which Petrovouni is perched. The path takes you to the beginning of a wonderful kalderimi and the view here is stunning. To cut the walk short, simply head down the kalderimi to the main road and turn right to get back to Kardamyli.
To carry on to Proastio, follow the marked path round the outskirts of Petrovouni, enjoying the views down to the sea. Cross the little square that the path brings you to and turn left on the road. Pass a church on the right and then a little further on, turn right up a concrete track. Where the track divides take the left fork, following the wire fence. Once past the tiny chapel, pick up the way-marked path through the olives. Proastio is now visible ahead and the next landmark is the Monastery of Agios Georgios set in a clump of cypress trees. To get there the path heads inland as you have to skirt around a gully. At a crossroads of tracks, bear left, following the marks on trees – the path is now heading gently downwards and is also way-marked on rocks. Ignore the right turn at a stone wall, keeping straight with a rock face on the left. You are now in ‘Orchid Alley’ – in May you could see Giant Orchids, the pink Italian orchid and Bee Orchids in this area. Follow the path right and it son starts to climb gently. Once you reach a clearing with olive trees, the path heads left and up over way-marked rocks. The church of Agios Georgios is unlocked and worth a look inside. From the church follow the track towards the village. Where the track bends left head down over a rocky area as a short cut, bringing you to the road ahead. On the other side of the road is evidence of an old stone quarry and a small Mycenean tomb.
Follow the road into the village, past the church of Agios Nikolaos on the right and then the mini market with a kafenion opposite. You are now heading out of the village. Turn of the road at a walkers sign on the right by a small chapel – this kalderimi drops down to the main road. Cross the road, turn right and then almost immediately left down a concrete track to Kalamitsi Beach. Just before the beach, locate a path on the right opposite a long black gate. Take this path through the olives all the way to the main road on the other side of the bay. Continue along the main road to Kardamyli.
