A Fun Hike At Orthonies, Zakynthos
A couple of years ago we did this same hike at Orthonies on Clean Monday. It was probably the best Clean Monday celebrations I can remember and the hike was so much fun. Probably due to the fact, there were people dressed in all their finery traipsing through the undergrowth to see a church in a cave. It did appeal to my sense of humour. My husband was catching old ladies left, right and centre!
So, last week when Derek posted that our Sunday’s walk was going to be the same hike at Orthonies, meeting at the Spiliotissa Monastery I was quite looking forward to it. It wasn’t a long trek, but it felt like we were on a real adventure.
Come join the Zakynthos Walking Group as we hiked through the undergrowth just like characters from an Enid Blyton book…
A Fun Hike At Orthonies – Through My Lens
The area surrounding the Spiliotissa Monastery.
The Zakynthos Walking Group takes time to admire the view from the Spiliotissa Monastery.
And then it was down to business.
It feels like Orthonies is situated in the middle of nowhere… Oh, it is!
Living on a Greek island means the sea is never too far away.
The actual Spiliotissa Monastery was closed this time but last time we were there I did manage to get some photos.
To start with the hike seems pretty simple.
I couldn’t resist having a nose in the little tower. There was nothing much inside, but the window made a nice frame.
Down the hill, we traipsed.
Tortoises are native to Greece. Unfortunately, we don’t see as many as we once did.
See that cave? That’s where we were headed. Through the undergrowth.
Let The Fun Begin…
The Husband trying to look cool. He does (sort of), don’t you think?… That reminds me I must really work on my pelvic floor muscles! *wetting myself laughing*
Some kind soul had installed a sort of hosepipe handrail in sections.
The undergrowth was quite dense and the ground uneven. It made us feel like proper adventurers.
Just in case you’re lost there’s a signpost pointing in the direction of the church in the cave.
A bit of space. Maybe an old riverbed.
There’s always time for a quick selfie.
My parents are never too far behind. In all honesty, they are pacing it out upfront. Which may have something to do with why they are so fit and active at 70!
As I’ve mentioned before, Mum will do anything for a photo, but I refuse to take them if she’s ‘posing’. There was an easier way down, but I promised I’d take her photo if she climbed down the steep bit… So she did.
We didn’t take our dogs on this hike, so I best not let them see this photo.
We Got There!…
As if we’d let a little undergrowth stop us!
Looking back to where we started our hike at Orthonies. We all got to the church in the cave in one piece, but still had to get back again though.
Apparently, an icon of the Virgin Mary was found in this cave church in the 16th century (I think the date’s correct), if it’s not, it was a long time ago! There are still services held there on special occasions, like Clean Monday.
The original icon is no longer in the church, but it is still most definitely a church.
Everyone was accounted for.
Now, what would the characters from an Enid Blyton book do on an adventure? Go and explore, of course!
I had hoped to have got a photo from this cave ‘window’ but was too short.
There are some dodgy characters in the Zakynthos Walking Group. It’s a camera dual off!
Sadly all adventures must come to an end and it was time to head back to where we came.
Legs of jelly. It may have been a short hike, but it worked the legs well.
On The Drive Home
We drove the coastal route home. From the North of Zakynthos, Kefalonia is clearly visible.
Sometimes I wish I was a touch taller if only to be able to take a better photo of the coastline of Zakynthos!
Do you enjoy an adventurous hike? Where’s the most fun hike you’ve done?
© 2017, Debbie. All rights reserved.
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Greece • Greek Island • my photographs • Through My Lens • Walking On Zakynthos • wildlife and nature • Zakynthos • Zante
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