A Hike Up Skopos: Argassi To Kalamaki And A Very Steep Climb
Through My Lens
Zakynthos is an island and one of the problems of hiking on an island is that you soon run out of places to hike. Luckily our hiking group don’t see it as a problem, we see it as a challenge. A challenge to find new routes to old places. This hike up Skopos wasn’t our first, but we kept it interesting by hiking from Argassi, over the mini-mountain to Kalamaki and then up Skopos.
![Zakynthos is a beautiful Greek island to explore. The hike up Skopos is no exception with its' breathtaking views.](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/27__NIK2460_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpg?resize=700%2C401&ssl=1)
One of my favourite hikes up Skopos was when we were lucky enough to get to the top and for the Panagia Skopiotissa Monastry to be open. It was the one and only time it has ever been open on one of our hikes!
There are easier routes up and it’s a place that is worth a visit if a good walk is what you enjoy. My advice is don’t do it in high season (it’s just too hot), take plenty of water and wear sensible shoes and a hat!
Enough of the waffle don’t you think? It’s time to see what we saw on our hike up Skopos – Through My Lens…
A Challenging Hike Up Skopos
Starting In Argassi
![Our hike started in Argassi which is situated on the West side of Zakynthos.](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/3__NIK2321_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
Our hike started on the West side of Zakynthos in the resort of Argassi. Just look how green it is… Okay, so this was back in January!
![I don't think it is possible to walk on a Greek island and not come across a church of some sort.](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/4__NIK2325_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
I don’t think we’ve ever hiked and not come across a church of some description. Greece is dotted with churches!
![Going from Argassi to Kalamaki to venture up Skopos makes it more challenging.](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/5__NIK2327_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
Hiking from Argassi to Kalamaki then up Skopos makes it a much more challenging hike… And the views are quite breathtaking too!
![The start of the hike up Skopos going from Argassi to Kalamaki can lull you into a false sense of easiness.](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/6__NIK2329_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
The first part of the hike up Skopos when starting in Argassi and heading towards Kalamaki is a little deceiving. This is the last of the flat part of the walk.
Walking To The Kalamaki Side
![The view from the Kalamaki side of Skopos is quite something.](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/7__NIK2335_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
The view from the Kalamaki side of Skopos looks out over the marine park. You can see Keri in the distance with Marathonisi (Turtle Island) slightly in front.
![Zakynthos is a very green island.](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/13__NIK2359_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
I love this little hut in the middle of nowhere. It’s not unusual to see a horse or two grazing here.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – our hiking group is made up of some right characters! Eddie The Eagle eat your heart out! At one time this shute was used to bring stone down from the quarry.
Now The Hard Work Starts
![The hike up Skopos from the Kalamaki side is a challenge and not to be undertaken if you aren't relatively fit.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/17__NIK2401_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
Hiking up Skopos from the Kalamaki side is challenging and only recommended if you are relatively fit and with a hiking buddy.
![Sticking together as a group we work our way along the overgrown trail.](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/18__NIK2405_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
Like a herd of mountain goats, we work our way carefully along the trail… If I was a mountain goat I may be a little offended by that statement!
![](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/19__NIK2413_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
And on through the undergrowth.
You can see why it wouldn’t be wise to do this hike alone!
![Taking in the view is on good excuse for stopping to take a breath.](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/23__NIK2443_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
Taking in the view is a good excuse to stop and catch a breath.
The Old Quarry Building
![The old quarry building on Skopos, Zakynthos is quite eerie looking.](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/26__NIK2458_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
I bet the old quarry building on Skopos could tell a tale or two. It’s quite eerie looking don’t you think?
![Imagine this view from your place of work. This is what the people working in the quarry building would have seen.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/27__NIK2460_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
Can you imagine this view from your place of work? This is the view in front of the quarry building.
![Why anyone would want to sprawl graffiti around an old quarry building in the middle of nowhere baffles me.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/28__NIK2470_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
Why anyone would want to sprawl graffiti around this old quarry building baffles me. It’s in the middle of nowhere.
![I have no idea what this piece of machinery was for.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/29__NIK2473_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
I have no idea what this piece of quarry machinery was for. Any ideas?
The Dogs Love A Hike Up Skopos Too
![The dogs love our Sunday hikes too.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/30__NIK2478_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C405&ssl=1)
Flossie is my sons’ dog and loves a Sunday hike. I do believe the day was a little chilly – hence the doggy jacket… Well, it was back in January!
Even the dogs enjoy hiking on #Zakynthos #throughmylens Click To Tweet![All the dogs are rescue dogs enjoying a lifestyle they deserve.](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/31__NIK2483_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
All the dogs are rescue dogs enjoying a lifestyle they deserve.
![Time to chill and enjoy the fresh air.](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/32__NIK2488_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
There’s nothing like a relaxing Sunday afternoon hike up Skopos to get you high on happy hormones.
Now For The Views… It’s What Made Our Hike Up Skopos Worth It!
That long stretch of beach is the Kalamaki to Lagana beach and is one of the few remaining nesting beaches for the protected loggerhead turtles in the Mediterranean.
![The Kalamaki to Lagana beach with Keri in the distance. All of which are part of the Marine park on Zakynthos.](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/43_Untitled_Panorama1_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C335&ssl=1)
Another view across the Kalamaki to Lagana beach with Keri in the distance. All of which are part of the National Marine Park on Zakynthos.
![](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/44_Untitled_Panorama2_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C382&ssl=1)
![The view from Skopos towards Gerakas.](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/46_Untitled_Panorama4_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C305&ssl=1)
Looking from Skopos towards Gerakas (Sekania) beach, which is another protected nesting beach. The little island on the right is Peluso and also is part of the National Marine Park.
![](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/37__NIK2519_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
This isn’t much of a view, but I like the photo.
![The view from Skopos across Zakynthos town and beyond.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/38__NIK2523_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
The view from Skopos across Zakynthos town and beyond.
![The view across the middle of Zakynthos island from Skopos.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/42_Untitled_Panorama-5-_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C327&ssl=1)
Looking across the middle of Zakynthos. I live at the bottom of that mini mountain range in the distance and it’s where I walk the dogs. It seems much larger-looking at it from over here.
![](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/45_Untitled_Panorama3_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?fit=700%2C329&ssl=1)
All good hikes must come to an end.
![All good hikes must come to an end. The group take a shorter route back down to Argassi.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/39__NIK2532_Argassi-Skopos-Kalamaki-DRW.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
The group take a shorter route back down to Argassi.
![It was another successful hike for the Zakynthos hikers. We're tired, but happy.](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/NIK2556.jpeg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
It was another successful walk on Zakynthos was completed by our group… Smiling, but tired.
Do you enjoy a good walk with friends?
© 2019 – 2020, Debbie. All rights reserved.
Tagged In...
exploring Zakynthos • Greek Island • Sunday Hikes • Zakynthos • Zakynthos walking • Zakynthos. Through My Lens • Zante
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