After the visit of the castro Koskina you have to drive back the road you came till you will arrive the asphalted road again. There you must turn left. The road winds through the Messaria valley till you have arrived the pass. There blows mostly a strong wind and it can be very cold also on a hot summer day. You must follow the road on the southside till the turn-off to Manganitis is arrived. At the turn-off is a sign and you have to turn right to a stone crushed road. This road leads you downhill by serpentines. In the year 2002 the road was in a very bad condition and I would have been lucky to have a cross country vehicle with me. But some men were working on the road, so it could be possible that it is now in better condition. For all who don't have to drive, is the way downhill a terrific event. The landscape has changed from a soft luxorious green on the north side into a jagged, meager rocky coast. Giant boulders piles up above you and if you watch down it looks nearly the same. In a word: steep!! If a strong wind howls additionaly, it could be possible that a little horror takes place. If you have left the serpentines and the hill behind you, you will often have a great view down the cliffs. With a little luck you can spot some seals. Any time later you will come to a tunnel, which will lead you through a hill. In the tunnel are a lot of bats. If you took a torch with you, you can see them by lighting to the tunnels ceiling. If you stop after the tunnel and climb down the slope on the left, you will come to another highlight of Ikaria. There opens a small bay with a beach made of shiny white pebbles. Because of this the beach is called 'Seychelles'. The way to the beach is a little difficult, but worth of it. It is a beautiful place and a bath in the crystal clear water is very good after the the dusty road.

Okay, after the refreshing bath it's going on the road again. But now there are only a few kilometers left to Manganitis. To describe this pretty place by words is very difficult for me. Take a look at the photos and I think you know what I mean.
The beach 'Seychelles' at Manganitis
flagge
Deutsche
Version
copyright by andreas schnetzer