Scaling The Heights Of Zakynthos On The Last Day Of The Year
When Derek posted the New Years Eve Sunday Walk for the Zakynthos Walking Group my first thoughts were “No! How could he do this to us?”. He’d only gone and chosen Skopos, from the Argassi side, which was hardly the nice gentle stroll I had secretly hoped for!
Skopos is one of the highest points on Zakynthos and the walk up is… Well… Up. I’m not talking a gentle slope, but an uphill gradient that makes you want to weep with every corner turned!
Digging deep and finding positives for putting myself through a climb that steep wasn’t too difficult:
- The hike would be perfect for burning off some of the excess calories consumed over the festive period.
- I was covered in cobwebs that were in serious need of being blown away.
- The climb to the very top never fails to scare me, but the feeling, once we get to the top, is of pure exuberance.
- There are still plenty of chocolates that need polishing off. A walk up Skopos would balance out some of the fleeting guilt of overindulging sugar for another few days.
Okay, now I’d talked myself into looking forward to the walk…
Come join us and you’ll see why it was worth the pain…
Skopos – Through My Lens
No funny angles here. The walk up Skopos is like walking up a wall!
In a relatively short distance, the views become Wow!… What better excuse to stop and catch a breath?
The snow-capped mountains on the mainland helped to keep the air cool on the climb up.
One man and his dog admire the view.
A group photo moment, another good reason for a stop.
The climb up Skopos is unforgiving. Up and up it goes.
Yay! We were going in the right direction!… Always a good feeling!
We got to the Panagia Skopiotissa Monastery at the base of Skopos. Time to refuel before making the final climb to the very top.
The Climb To The Very Top Of Skopos
The change in the air on the climb to the very top of Skopos caused my camera lens to condensate up. I quite liked the effect!
Just a bit further…
The feeling when you get to the top of Skopos!
Some had to really dig deep to face their fears.
The first time to the top is always the hardest.
One happy climber!
Now For The Views From The Top Of Skopos
The Panagia Skopiotissa Monastery dates back to the 16th century and has had restoration work done in recent years. It wasn’t open this time, but last year we were able to see inside the monastery. Can you spot Alphie? My little dog is not agile enough to make it safely to the top, but was safe and happy with his new friends!
There are 360 degree views from the top of Skopos. This one is over looking Zante Town, with Kefalonia in the distance. You can just about make out a ferry in the port.
The Kalamaki to Lagana beach doesn’t look quite so long from up here.
Looking out across the Zakynthos Marine park, with Gerakas to the left.
The climb down from the top of Skopos is more challenging than the climb up.
And best taken at a slow and leisurely pace.
Safe back down. Wendy was overjoyed with her achievement.
A last look across Zakynthos before we head back down.
The Zakynthos Walking Group heads back down to flatter ground.
The walk is a hard 8.5km in total. Needless to say, I was sound asleep when the New Year came in. How some of the others went out to party I really don’t know! Even if I was the partying kind I’m not sure I could have stayed awake!
How did you spend New Year’s Eve? Have you ever been up to Skopos?
© 2018, Debbie. All rights reserved.
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