We start today's hike at the place Rodhopou. Directly at the village square, a street turns left (west) to the football pitch outside. The dirt road leads us along vineyards. We pass several goat stalls, better dwellings, which remind of landscapes on the Sinai. Archaic land. The dirt road leads parallel to the sea with a fantastic view of the bay of Kastelli, Kissamos.
After a good 40 minutes the way ends in the middle of the landscape. A goatherd has his home here. It is not easy to find the right entry to the hiking trail. Isolated are small stone turrets that mark the unpaved path. The path is pretty steep, sometimes you need all four limbs to support yourself. The eye constantly wanders between the avoidable paths and the sea.
We pass several rocky outcrops and find sparse sunscreen under tamarisk and pine trees. Again and again the colors of the sea fascinate. Deserted area. After about 2 hours (with some photo stops) ends the poorly marked path and we see a gravel road. Balm for the feet and bones. Suddenly we discover farmland (wine) and ruins of a former village in this remote region, well protected from previous pirate raids.
On the left hand there is a monastery, where we also meet people. Now follows a very strenuous climb, either on an old, very steep path (from the pre-car era) or on the dirt road up to the crest of Rodoupou peninsula at about 700 meters. (3 liters of water per capita are attached to this tour). We see a natural gate of rocks left and right. Goats look down on us.
From here it is easy to go downhill to the village of Rodoupou. A barren but very interesting landscape accompanies us the next one and a half hours. Again and again we catch a glimpse of the bay of Kolimbari, or Hania.
We needed 6 hours for this circular walk.
Tips for excursions Rodopou
