A Hike From Volimes To Orthonies – Through My Lens
Since becoming our unintentional hiking group leader, my husband has been coming up with some fantastic hikes. Living on an island and having hiked so much of it already it really is a difficult task to come up with new and interesting walks. This hike from Volimes to the church in the cave at Orthonies was meant to be easy and not too exciting (scenery wise)… Mmmmmm, I’m not sure my husband knew what he was talking about.
![A Sunday hike from Volimes to Orthonies turned out to be scenically beautiful, but harder than expected.](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies1-1.jpg?resize=700%2C404&ssl=1)
The hike to the church in the cave near the Spiliotissa monastery is one we’ve done before. In the past, we’ve enjoyed a fun Clean Monday celebration there too!
This hike from Volimes took us there via a different route. At the time my husband described it as an easy 16km with not much to look at. Oh, how wrong he was on almost all counts… Apart from the 16km!
Enough of my waffling. I invite you to come and join us and see what we saw…
Through My Lens…
Starting At Upper Volimes…
![Meeting at the village of Upper Volimes for a hike from Volimes to Orthonies.](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies1-2.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
Our meeting point was in the village of Upper Volimes on a rather chilly Sunday morning.
![Volimes has a fair share of quirky old buildings.](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies2.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
As in other old villages on Zakynthos, Volimes has a fair share of quirky old buildings.
![Rolling hill view of Zakynthos](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies3.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
It would be easy to assume that this photo was taken in the UK.
![Two women walking on a tree lines trail.](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies4.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
No far into the hike and we were away from Volimes and walking through a tree-lined trail.
![A view of the landscape on a hike from Volimes to Orthonies.](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies5.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
We have been so lucky this winter with the weather on our Sunday hikes. It’s hard to believe that this photograph was taken in February! There is a desperate need of rain now though.
![A cute looking orange tractor](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies6.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
Who else thinks tractors have a personality? The headlights are their eyes and the front grill their smile.
![Stunning landscape on Zakynthos](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies7.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
Even after hiking so much of Zakynthos. The beauty of this island still takes my breath away!… If you look carefully into the distance it’s possible to just make out the monastery we are heading towards.
Towards The Church In The Cave We Head…
![A group of walkers heading towards some lush, green hills on Zakynthos.](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies8.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
![The rolling hills of Zakynthos.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies9.jpg?resize=700%2C1050&ssl=1)
The last views of grassy hills before we enter the undergrowth that makes the trail to the church in the cave so exciting!
![Hikers making their way through undergrowth on Zakynthos.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies10.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
And the fun begins! Indiana Jones eat your heart out!
![A woman holding on to a support whilst making her way through undergrowth.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies11.jpg?resize=700%2C1050&ssl=1)
No matter how many times we’ve done this walk to the church in the cave we always have fun.
![Hikers surrounded by bare trees.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies12.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
The trek to the cave is on a trail through 1km of undergrowth. I find the lack of bird song rather surprising as it’s not a place hunters roam.
![A group of hikers picnicking outside the church in the cave on Zakynthos.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies13.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
And we arrive at our destination and it’s time for a picnic. Little did we realise just how much we would need the energy for the hike back to Volimes!
![Inside the church in the cave at the Spiliotissa monastery at Orthonies.](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies14.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
The inside of the church in the cave. The church isn’t up to much really, but the fact that it’s so old makes it special. Zakynthos has a number of old churches in caves to keep artefacts safe during times of occupation.
We did get permission from the nuns at the Spilliotissa Monastery before venturing down.
![A group of ladies about to climb up some rocks.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies15.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
The area has beautiful orange rock begging to be climbed.
![A woman and her dog exploring a cave.](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies16.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
Luckily there are no wolves on Zakynthos. One of the hikers explores a cave with her lovely German shepherd.
![A lazy snoozes in the grass before out hike back to Volimes.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies17.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
Sometimes a girl just has to snooze!
![Hiking through undergrowth.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies18.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
With food eaten and energy levels restored it’s time for the hike back.
![](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies19.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
![A group of hikers crossing a riverbed.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies20.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
The oddest place to find a signpost to a church.
![](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies21.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
Daylight! Daylight! Yay!
![Hikers trekking up a green hill](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies22.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
At the time we thought that this was the last of the hard uphills… Little did we know.
The Trek Back…
![A group of hikers walking towards some green hills.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies23.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
Happy and relaxed we thought we had an easy 8km walk back to the cars.
![A walker on a trail with green hills behind them](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies24.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
The uphills start to take their toll. The monastery is far in the distance by this time… It is a beautiful view though.
![An olive tree in the forefront with green hills and a blue sky in the background.](https://i0.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies25.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
Beautiful Zakynthos.
![A group of tired hikers head back to their cars after a long Sunday hike. With green hills and a blue sky behind them.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies26.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
A bunch of tired, but happy hikers. The group leader is fearing a beating by this point, lucky for him we are too tired… Maybe there is a method in his madness!
![A dropping sun lights up the landscape on Zakynthos beautifully.](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies27.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
The dropping sun gives the landscape a lovely glow.
![](https://i1.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies28.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
One last hill before Volimes cames back into view.
![The welcome sight of Upper Volimes after a long hike.](https://i2.wp.com/debsrandomwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DRW-2020-02-20-Volimes-Orthonies29.jpg?resize=700%2C466&ssl=1)
The welcome sight of Volimes.
The hike was a much harder hike than expected and there were some tight muscles on Monday. Nothing that stopped us looking forward to an even harder hike the week after!…
Thank you for joining us on our hike. Where have you walked recently?
© 2020, Debbie. All rights reserved.
Tagged In...
exploring Zakynthos • hiking • Walking On Zakynthos • Zakynthos • Zante
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