The last section of this trip leads across a beautiful landscape. From Manganitis you have to take the road back you came. There is no other possibility. Some kilometers after you cross the pass - near the village Steli - you have to turn left on the road in the direction of Maratho and Christos Raches. There is a sign if I remember rightly. The road - partly asphalted and partly made with sand or crushed stones - runs parallel to the mountains and was in a good condition at my last visit in 2002. On the whole route you will have the view into luxorious greened valleys over and over again. Several stops for photoshootings are a must.
At the end of the road you have to turn left and you will arrive the mountain village Maratho with its beautiful Church and the old tower. You can have a break in the shadow of the trees on the platia to discover the surrounding area. It is possible to step inside the old tower and from this place you have a great view across the whole valley right to the sea.
After Maratho you can take two different ways back to Armenistis. You can follow down the road to the sea and then along the coast to Armenistis. But it is recommended to take the road via Christos Raches. This road leads only through dense pinewood and the smell from the trees is indescribable. In my opinion this is the most beautiful way on Ikaria and while I'm writing this I have the smell of the trees in my nose, the light between the trees in my eyes and I am filled with the longing for Ikaria.
At the end of the road you have to turn left and you will arrive the mountain village Maratho with its beautiful Church and the old tower. You can have a break in the shadow of the trees on the platia to discover the surrounding area. It is possible to step inside the old tower and from this place you have a great view across the whole valley right to the sea.
After Maratho you can take two different ways back to Armenistis. You can follow down the road to the sea and then along the coast to Armenistis. But it is recommended to take the road via Christos Raches. This road leads only through dense pinewood and the smell from the trees is indescribable. In my opinion this is the most beautiful way on Ikaria and while I'm writing this I have the smell of the trees in my nose, the light between the trees in my eyes and I am filled with the longing for Ikaria.
The ruin of the old tower in Maratho
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Andi's Ikariapage
copyright by andreas schnetzer