A Walk Through The Olive Groves
Lagadakia In February
Not all the hikes we do on Zakynthos are difficult. There are plenty of shorter, less challenging routes for people who want to enjoy an easier walk. One such walk we did was around Lagadakia in February.
The group met in the village of Machairado and walked to the old ruins in Lagadakia. Yes, there was some uphill, but not overly. Spring was doing her thing and breathing life back into the wildflowers after the winter. It was a very pleasant and pretty walk that at 8.5km was one of our shorter walks.
Okay, so there was a bit of an incline, but that’s how you get the best views! It was worth it though and really not that much of a strain. We stopped for a mooch around the ruins of the old village of Lagadakia. The walk back to Machairado was a pleasantly meandering pootle through the olive groves.
Enough of the chat. Come see what we saw on our walk…
Lagadakia In February…
Through My Lens
February may have still had a nip to it, but spring was definitely in the air.
Proof that we don’t have to climb steep hills to see a good view – but we do enjoy a challenge!
The one steep-ish hill, but it wasn’t a long one.
See we resisted the urge to go to the top of the mini-mountains! That is Kefalonia, our neighbouring island, you can see in the distance.
We followed the path around the mini-mountain rather than up it! By this time it had started to warm up a touch.
The Ruins Of Lagadakia
Behind this tower lie the ruins of Lagadakia, a village that was abandoned after the big earthquake of 1953. I tried to find out more, but as far as I understand, the villagers didn’t feel safe there after the earthquake that razed much of Zakynthos to the ground. They took what they could and headed to lower land where Lagadakia now stands.
It was difficult getting photos of the ruins of Lagadakia that made sense when looked at. Many of them have been claimed by Mother Nature. The gap on the right seems to have been the entrance to an old house. When stood there it was easy to see how the houses were once laid out.
More ruins of houses. It was quite fascinating to wander around knowing that this was once a small community. The whole area is a rabbit warren of overgrown paths around the village. Afterwards, we learned that there are more ruins nearby. Maybe I’ll be able to go and photograph those this winter.
Through The Olive Groves
Then it was time to take a pootle back to Machairada through the olive groves. And what a pretty walk it was too!
Some of the dodgier looking walkers. Do you recognise these people?… Haha, love them all!
Olive groves are quite magical places to wander. I imagine these olive trees taking on a life of their own at night. Can you?
The trails through the olive groves make walking a little easier if you don’t enjoy roughing it.
Evidence that someone likes to either sit and enjoy a moment in nature or is simply avoiding the spouse!
Almond and wild pear trees blossom randomly, probably grown from seeds distributed by birds or animals.
On our way back to Machairado we passed what was once, a very grand home.
Stopping for after-walk refreshments has become a popular tradition with the walking group.
What’s your favourite part of a walk? The exercise? The company? Or the apres walk refreshments?… Maybe all three?
© 2019, Debbie. All rights reserved.
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exploring Zakynthos • Walking On Zakynthos • Zakynthos • Zakynthos. Through My Lens • Zante
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