14km Hike To The Cliffs At Kiliomenos

The beauty of Zakynthos just never seems to end. Last Sunday the Carry On Walking group extended a previous hike to the cliffs at Kiliomenos to 14km. Kiliomenos is an area of Zakynthos we have explored many times, but I think this was probably my favourite walk. Mainly because of the views.

It was a challenging hike, to say the least, not helped by the fact the sun decided to shine and temperatures rise unexpectedly and there was little shade to be found.

We might have guessed that the 14km hike to the cliffs at Kiliomenos wouldn't be an easy one.

The Carry On Walking Group really tested themselves on this hike. #Zakynthos #Zante #Greece #photos Click To Tweet

On the way down to the cliffs we joked in our usual manner about the walk back to the cars. Not really stopping to think that if the walk down was a relatively steep 10km, then the climb back to the cars was going to be a 4km killer!… And it was.

So come come see what we saw – Through My Lens...

A 14km Hike To The Cliffs At Kiliomenos, Zakynthos

As usual there is excitement before our Sunday hike. This week is a planned 14km, but who knows where the trails will take us? — The group waits excitedly to get started. The plan is to hike to the cliffs at Kiliomenos, but who knows where the trails will take us?

And off we trot. There is still evidence of the wildfires that destroyed a lot of the natural habitat in the area. — As you can see this area was badly effected by the wildfires a few years back.

The hike to the cliffs at Kiliomenos will take us through plenty of different terrain as you will see. — Some of the trails are still quite green in places.

It's heartbreaking to see the damage wildfires have caused in the area.

My husband doing his thing as walk leader. Without him who knows where we would end up? — My husband doing his thing as walk-leader. Without him and his internal compass, who knows where we would end up?

Kiliomenos is situated in mini mountains. The forested areas does make it prone to fires during the summer.

The ruins of an old house in Kiliomenos. Looks a bit drafty now. — A bit of a drafty house. I wonder how old it is?

The day was positively spring like even, but with little shade it was rather hot going in places. — It was a positively spring like day, but with little shade to be had it was rather hot going.

It was a 10km walk down to the cliffs at Kiliomenos on Zakynthos. We should have worked out that the return walk to the cars was going to be hard! — It was the best part of a 10km hike down to the cliffs, so it made sense that the shorter 4km walk back up was not going to be easy!

Sometimes you just have to stop and stare. It was a fluke spring day as the weather has turned bitterly cold again. — Just look at that view!

As a group we much prefer hiking on the many trails around Zakynthos, rather than tarmac. — As a group we much prefer walking the trails on Zakynthos rather than tarmac.

This hiking business is thirsty work. We must almost be at the viewpoint? — This hiking lark is thirsty work!

If you didn't know there is no indication of the views no more than three meters behind this tree. We have reached the cliffs at Kiliomenos! — Unless you know, there is no indication of the views that are no more than three meters behind that tree.

Come follow me, but do mind your footing…

That WOW! Moment…

Now if that sight isn't worth the hike I don't know what is. Quite stunning don't you think? — I told you!… A sight that was well worth the hike, don’t you think?

I would love to have taken a photo of the view directly below the cliff, but some things just aren't worth the risk — I would love to have taken a photo of the view directly below where I was stood, but some photos just aren’t worth the risk.

There are WOW! moments and then there are WOW! moments. #Zakynthos #Zante #Greece #photos Click To Tweet

This is the photo that made me fall in love with the 24mm Nikon lens I was test driving. It is now officially mine. — This was the photo that made me fall in love with the 24mm Nikon lens I was test driving. It is now my lens.

Taking A Moment To Relax…

A bit of R&R before the 4km steep climb back to the cars. — You see those two? Out partying until 6am that morning!… I take my hat off to them as I know I would never have managed with a smile on my face… They do say Zakynthos is a party island. Not sure that reference is for winter months though?

At this point we were unaware just how tough the climb back to the cars was going to be. It was a 10km hike down to the cliffs, but only a 4km hike back up! — At this point we were unaware just how tough the climb back to the cars was going to be.

Spring is so close we can almost smell it. — A sure sign that spring isn’t too far off.

The climb back to the cars begins, but after those views it's worth it. — The climb begins.

Carrying a camera does have it's uses (apart from the obvious). It gives me the perfect excuse to stop and take a photo. — A quick stop to catch my breath, take a photo, have some water, do up my shoe lace… Anything, but walk. Just for a moment.

We are so close, we can almost smell the cars! — We are so close we can almost smell the cars!

The elation that comes with finishing a hike like that is evident. The hike to the cliffs at Kiliomenos was worth it. If you are ever on Zakynthos, you should check them out! — The elation that comes with finishing a challenging walk is quite evident. To be honest they were doing some yoga moves to relax the hurting muscles… I bet you thought there was some Greek dancing going on there?

The last of the group catch up. We all agree that it was a challenging hike, but well worth the pain.

I hope you enjoyed that hike to the cliffs at Kiliomenos? I know we did.

Tagged In...

Greece • my photographs • Through My Lens • Walking On Zakynthos • Zakynthos • Zakynthos walking • Zante

Comments

7

John Adams says

March 6, 2019 at 11:35 am

That sure was a wow moment! Oddly, this reminded me of Portugal, with a touch of Cyrpus thrown in! I can see how much you enjoy your walking Debs. You have some great walks out there without a doubt.

8

Jen says

February 20, 2019 at 3:17 pm

Holy cow that is a wow moment! The steepness was worth it for sure once you see that. What a fascinating island you live on! P.S. Yay for Spring :)

9

Christine says

February 19, 2019 at 9:43 am

Sure looks like spring is on its way - looks very warm in some of those photos! Beautiful scenery as always, I really do think you need to write (and illustrate) a book of your walks.

10

Tamara says

February 18, 2019 at 11:50 pm

That sure is a WOW moment. I can't imagine what it would be like if I lived near such beauty. I suppose I did - back in California near the Pacific Coast Highway. It was all so awe-inspiring. I never knew if I preferred that or the comfortable, touchable beauty of New England farmland. To be fair, I think I need both in my life equally.

11

Tara says

February 18, 2019 at 10:03 am

I even said “wow” at your wow moment! What a sight. It looks like a beautiful day. Hope your legs have recovered now.

12

Plutonium Sox says

February 17, 2019 at 11:15 pm

Wow, so beautiful. What a view, well worth the hard walk I think! The weather looks absolutely stunning there too. I hope we get some of that lovely sunshine soon! Nat.x Plutonium Sox recently posted...Close friends are overrated

13

Carlee says

February 17, 2019 at 8:27 pm

Wow! The view of the cliffs is amazing! The drafty house looks like the roof might leak too! ;-) I am so glad you are back to your walking adventures, it is fun to live vicariously through you! Carlee recently posted...Swiss Steak Style Meatballs in the Instant Pot

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