The Island of Zakynthos (Zante)
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The small Island of Zakinthos with its wonderful climate
and pleasant people is the most southerly of the Ionian Islands.
Just West of mainland Greece, it is an excellent destination
for biking, walking or just lazing about on the beach. If you
holiday there in the Spring or late Summer the weather conditions
are ideal with a temperature of about 20 to 25 deg. The Summer
months of July, August and early September should be avoided
if at all possible because of the excessive heat and the crowds
of people that head there for the beaches.
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The North of the Island is excellent for Mountain biking
with lots of off-road tracks and narrow quiet roads that meander
from one side of the Island to the other. The biggest problem
is getting lost, for there are no reliable maps, but it just
makes life that more interesting. If you stay in the North of Zakinthos, which I recommend, there are a few Cycle Hire Places
around Alykes. Most of the Mountain bikes on hire are of budget
type with about 15 gears, but most need lots of mechanical attention,
so take a good toolkit with you. A good tip is to take a good
saddle and padded shorts in your suitcase for the saddles supplied
will really make your eyes water.We spent a fortnight riding around the Island on these
bikes covering about fifty miles a day. Though not ideal, they
did the job without letting us down and the price was very reasonable.
The cost was about £50 for two bikes for a fortnight in
late season, but this price has to be negotiated. |
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Mount Vrachionas is the highest mountain on
Zakinthos. Standing at 756 metres it can be seen wherever you go on the
Island. With its peak usually covered in cloud by late evening, it is one
of those mountains that you just have to climb. My wife and I made four
attempts to get to the top of this mountain before we finally made it. The
first two attempts we got hopelessly lost, the third we had to turn back
due to a violent thunderstorm and on the fourth attempt we finally made it
to the top. |
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The Paths up this mountain hold no
difficulty, with a good wide track that leads up to the top. The only
problem is finding your way through the winding streets and tracks of the
small village of Katastan that finally leads you out onto the really
beautiful open mountain. In early spring it is carpeted with wild flowers
of all hues. By late September and early October the whole mountain
becomes red with the fruit of the Strawberry Trees. This edible fruit that
looks like a strawberry grows on a tall bush and has a strange taste not
dissimilar to a Kiwi fruit and can be quite refreshing to eat as you weave
your way up the hot dusty track to the top. |
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From the top of the mountain the views
are simply spectacular, with the whole of the Island spreading out
before you. To the North you can clearly see the mountains on the
island of Cefalonia separated from Zakinthos only by a short stretch
of beautiful shimmering blue sea.
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| GETTING THERE FROM BRITAIN. You can either
buy an inexpensive package holiday or get a cheap flight from one of the
numerous holiday companies, obtaining your own accommodation when you
arrive. The cost is approximately £20 per night for a double room, during
early or late summer season. In the height of the season, July to mid
September, you may find accommodation very scarce. Don't forget that the
last direct flight back to Britain is usually about the third week of
October. A good company to try is www.cheapflights.com . Zakinthos is only
a small Island, approximately 60 miles long by 38 miles wide, therefore
the cost of transport from the small airport will not be too costly. |
A Walk up Mount Vrachionas - By Dave Palmer
DIRECTIONS.
TIME… 5 hour
DISTANCE 12 mile
START from the Village of Alykes.
HEIGHT CLIMBED - 756 metres
1. From the village centre of Alykes take the road signposted
to the Village of Katastari. Pass the Andreas Apartments to your
right, then walk on past the Soula Studios.
2. At the bend turn RIGHT into a narrow concrete track.
3. At the fork turn LEFT.
4. Then turn first LEFT.
5. Walk on and then fork RIGHT between the buildings.
6. Soon you again fork RIGHT between the building and you will
reach the main road.
7. At the main road turn RIGHT.
8. Walk along the main road and pass a Boat and then turn first
LEFT up a hill.
9. Climb the hill and then fork RIGHT by the Church on your left
onto a concrete road.
10. Climb the steep hill and then turn first LEFT (there was
an old derelict tractor here when we passed).
11. Cross bridge over a dry riverbed.
12. Continue along rough track until you reach another Church
on your left. This Church is numbered 188.
13. Now turn RIGHT up a very rough track that passes through
an olive grove with a stonewall to your right.
14. Climb the hill, passing a ruined house, until you reach a
clearing and a lookout point.
15. Walk on for about 25 metres and then at a T-junction of tracks
turn LEFT.
16. Walk towards the Church ignoring the track off to your left.
17. At the Church, which is dated 1779, there is a plaque with
the date of restoration 1992 and the name of the restorer Arioz
Reoptioz.
18. Head upward on a rough track through another Olive grove.
19. Fork LEFT and walk past a white house on your left numbered
182.
20. Continue onwards on a newly cut rough track until you reach
a T-junction and then turn RIGHT.
21. Cross over a dry riverbed and pass an old tree stump on your
right.
22. The track now continues upwards passing through the open
mountainside alongside a deep valley. After a while the path
heads left, plunging downwards before climbing again and swinging
left up the other side of the valley. Now the track climbs ever
steeper, winding its way to the top of the mountain. Nearly at
the top you can continue to the radio mast or you can plunge
right into the scrub and head upward for the last few metres
to the summit.
23. To get back just follow the way you came, remembering that
it is downhill all the way.
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