Ampelos To Stemiris: Hiking The Hills Above Keri Lakes, Zakynthos
Living on a Greek island and being part of a local hiking group can make finding new hikes a bit of a challenge. Our little walking group has pretty much covered the length and breadth of Zakynthos. Last year we hiked half the island following a 25km coastal route from Kampi to Keri. This year the plan was to hike from Skinari to Kampi and in doing so we would have hiked the whole length of Zakynthos! Alas! That wasn’t meant to be! All being well it’s a hike we will do next winter.
One new walk we did last winter was hiking the hills above Keri Lakes and was one of my favourites. The hills were challenging and the views were pretty impressive too.
Credit for this and for most of the hikes we’ve done in the last couple of years has to go to my husband, who without, we would be walking the same old trails! He really does have an amazing sense of direction. When we are out and about he is constantly mapping out potential hikes in his head.
As per usual I had far too many photos from the hike and of course, I wanted to share all of them with you, but came up with quite a nice compromise instead. I’ve decided to share half in this post and have created a video containing all of them. Videos do make for a fun way of sharing photos without having to scroll, so if you are interested in seeing all the photos from our hike you can find them in the short video at the end of this post.
Until then do join me and the group hiking the hills above Keri Lakes and see what we saw… Through My Lens…
Hiking The Hills Above Keri Lakes – Zakynthos
Our hiking group meet every Sunday during the winter months to explore the trails on this beautiful island we call home (Zakynthos). It’s a very diverse walking group with an age range from 23 to 82! And believe you me our hikes are not easy going! There are only thirty or so people in our group, but we have counted something like eight different nationalities. It’s what makes it special!
You can see in this photo, some of the trails get really damaged from the heavy rain we get during the winter.
Our hikes are never easy. This uphill climb really got the thigh muscles screaming for mercy. Keri Lakes are visible in the distance.
Walk leader taking a well-earned break and checks the route out.
It would be a crime not to stop and enjoy the view after a climb like that, don’t you think? There is always time for a picnic or two on our hikes too.
Another trail, another hill!
Zakynthos has such beautiful greenery in places. Unfortunately due to the summer wildfires areas can change from one winter to the next.
It’s trails like this that we find the most fun.
One of my favourite hikes we did last winter was skirting the hills above Keri Lakes #zante #zakynthos #photos Click To TweetHalf Way And Time For Another Food Stop… Yay!
Keeping our energy levels up is all part of the hiking experience… Isn’t it? Food plays a big part in our Sunday hikes!
Hiking the hills above Keri Lakes gave us views of the Zakynthos Marine Park that were quite something. The small island that just happens to look like a turtle is Marathonisi also known as Turtle Island. The land point in the distance is Gerakas which is a popular turtle nesting beach for loggerhead turtles.
The areas of Keri and Agalas was devastated by wildfires last summer. It makes for a sobering walking. Land damaged this badly by wildfires doesn’t grow back overnight, if at all.
“The road is long, with many a winding turn”… An appropriate song for our Sunday hikes. Now, who sang that song?
Zakynthos is still a very green and beautiful island despite the damage caused by fires.
A hike in Greece wouldn’t be complete without trail through an olive grove.
And another steep bit.
Having camera gives me a good excuse to stop and take a photo. The chap in front of me is 76!
Covid put an early stop to our hikes this year, but fingers crossed, we will be hiking these trails again this coming winter.
The husband would have undoubtedly been looking for a potential trail down there as he walked passed.
Heading back towards Keri Village.
A closer view of Marathonisi and from this angle it is clear to see why it is also known as Turtle Island.
It's clear how Marathonisi got its nickname of Turtle Island #zante #zakynthos Click To Tweet
More of the damage done by the wildfires last summer. They were so bad that Keri Village was evacuated and it took days to get the fires under control. It’s a very sad sight indeed.
Keri Village nestled on the hillside.
After 15km arrive back at the cars, feeling fit, tired and happy.
Want to see more photos from our hike?…
I put together a short video…
Have you managed any nice walks this year?
© 2020, Debbie. All rights reserved.
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exploring Zakynthos • Sunday Hikes • Walking On Zakynthos • Zakynthos. Through My Lens
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