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A Hike Up Skopos On Zakynthos

By: Debbie24 Comments

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.
If you are ever on #Zakynthos and enjoy a challenging hike, I can recommend the hike from Argassi to Kalamaki and then the steep climb up to Skopos. Come join us #throughmylens #photos Click To Tweet

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

All the dogs are rescue dogs enjoying a lifestyle they deserve.

Time to chill and enjoy the fresh air.

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!

Now for some views from our hike up Skopos.

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.

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.

Breathtaking views across #Zakynthos #throughmylens Click To Tweet
The view from Skopos towards Gerakas.

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.

This isn’t much of a view, but I like the photo.

The view from Skopos across Zakynthos town and beyond.

The view from Skopos across Zakynthos town and beyond.

The view across the middle of Zakynthos island from Skopos.

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.

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.

The group take a shorter route back down to Argassi.

It was another successful hike for the Zakynthos hikers. We're tired, but happy.

It was another successful walk on Zakynthos was completed by our group… Smiling, but tired.

Do you enjoy a good walk with friends?

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About Debbie

Hello, Iโ€™m Debbie (also known as ChirpyDebs) and thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet. Now the children are all grown up Iโ€™m happiest when Iโ€™m out with the dogs or hiking a trail with my camera in hand. My blog is where I like to share photographs showing the wild beauty of Zakynthos that most people donโ€™t get to see, recipes and other seemingly random things that come to mind.

Comments

    • 24

      Debbie says

      Hi Jade, haha, if only all problems were so trivial! The group has been walking together for a few years now which makes any route old and new a pleasure. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
  2. 25

    Christine says

    Ah I can tell from this post that youโ€™re looking forward to getting back to hiking! Iโ€™m sure you must be ready for the summer madness to end (and the temperature to go down). As always a great write up of a beautiful island.
    Reply
    • 26

      Debbie says

      Hi Christine, we are! It's been a long hot and hard summer. We are hoping to have our first hike on October 27th and even the Sunday before if people are finished work for the winter. It is still hot, but a doable temperature. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 28

      Debbie says

      Hi Carlee, it was one of our more challenging hikes, but come the end of the winter we are fit enough to tackle most walks. It's teh start of the winter we struggle. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
  4. 29

    Jeanna says

    I'm not sure what a hiking body is but I'm pretty sure I don't have one. I actually brought a few old injuries to light by increasing my walking program.this summer As for a hearty pup, I can't tell you the times I've had to carry the Little Rat Boy the rest of the way and we're not hiking up any mountains. Good for you, I bet you're the picture of health. I can see your glowing cheeks from here. Jeanna recently posted...Being Cool At The Union...My Profile
    Reply
    • 30

      Debbie says

      Hi Jeanna, I'd love to know what a hiking body is either, but if you have legs that work and start off slowly anything is possible! Mum is 72 and still likes a good moan up a hill. But old injuries can be buggers, could stretching or physio help?... Little Rat Boy sounds very similar to one of our little dogs, on Saturday I had to carry little Fat dog Alphie at least half of a walk, I thought his claws might have been bothering him (he hates his feet being touched, but his dew claws curl up and bother him), so half a breast of chicken later and a rather stressed dog they were off. Sunday he was the same... I think he's playing me for a soft touch!... Don't be fooled. The glowing that you see is caused by the ridiculous temperatures we are having right now. It's still 38c at 8pm! Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 32

      Debbie says

      Hi Laurie, it is such a beautiful island, especially in spring when it's coming back to life after the winter. Maybe one day you will venture this way? I would never recommend high season as it's just too hot and crazy. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
  6. 33

    Sim @ Sim's Life says

    Flossie is gorgeous and absolutely loving that jacket! :) I love the fact you are making it a challenge to find different routes to hike - what gorgeous scenery... even in January! There is no way I could capture those in January in Lancashire! I still keep meaning to head over to Greece, we have friends in Athens who always head to the islands during the summer months - need to take them up on the offer of going out for once! Sim x
    Reply
    • 34

      Debbie says

      Hi Sim, Oooooo you must! Except I wouldn't come during high season unless you have to. In August everyone from the mainland descends on the islands which adds to the summer craziness. Hopefully, we will start to relax a bit in a few weeks time. We have really short winters here, although it can get cold... Flossie feels like the bees knees in that jacket even though it's a size too large - she was a stray so loves any luxury that comes her way. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
  8. 37

    Jen says

    The chute picture gave my heart palpitations! Your group looks so fun though! I can see why in the heat of the summer that hike could be dangerous. Here in AZ people die when they go out to hike without enough water. Last week some poor girl was airlifted out of the grand canyon because she hiked in sandals and without water! Glad to know though your group is keeping the beautiful island you live on well hiked and hydrated :)
    Reply
    • 38

      Debbie says

      Hi Jen, I was just about to take a photo of the chute when the two ladies jumped on it and started posing! My heart skipped a beat or two, I can tell you, but it did make for a fun photo. There's a chap still missing who went hiking up Skopos back in June. They've had search parties up there and there has been no sign of him, it's all a bit of a mystery. But we get the same here too, people walking without adequate water, clothing, shoes, it's like they leave their brains at home. We stop walking in the summer for a reason (apart from the fact everyone works like mad all summer)... Two months and counting until our hiking group will be together again! Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
  9. 39

    Tamara says

    I'm relieved you said this was January because i just kept picturing it as right now! And so cold! Lucky dogs getting to come with you. And those views. WOW.
    Reply
    • 40

      Debbie says

      Hi Tamara, right now I'm dreaming of feeling cooler again, it's been so hot recently. Saying that come winter I'll be moaning about the cold, I'm really not happy with either extreme. Walking without at least one dog just doesn't feel right and they love it. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 42

      Debbie says

      Hi April, I'm so pleased that you like them. I love where I live and enjoy sharing what we see on our walks. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
  11. 43

    John Adams says

    Well the view over the Skalamaki side was amazing, as were the views form the top. And how amazing to come across that quarry building, although there is a whiff of the horror films about it! Oh if only I had the time to do walks like this *sighs*.
    Reply
    • 44

      Debbie says

      Hi John, I never thought of that! The quarry building would be perfect for a Stephen King type story/film!... When your children are all big and hairy I'm sure you'll find the time to get out and explore/walk/ get a dog. When ours were little it's not something we could have done either. Winter activities on a Greek island geared towards tourism can be quite limited, so our Sunday walks fill that void and keep us a tiny bit social too... Don't go feeling sorry for us though (as if๐Ÿ˜‚), it's part of the joy of living here. Thank you for popping by! xx
      Reply
    • 46

      Debbie says

      Hi Sandee, maybe one day you'll venture over this way? But it would have to be in the cooler months... The dogs love it and on many of the hikes they can run free as long as we look out for farm animals that might be grazing. And you have a good weekend. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply

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