Vafkeri lower loop

A wonderful loop walk above Nidri taking you up to the pretty mountain village of Vafkeri, past the charming Agios Asomati monastery and back down by a different track. Along the way are wonderful views back to Nidri and beyond to the islands and Inland Sea.

This makes a great day walk on the mountain above Nidri – through thick forest and across steep slopes. The walk is on a very good track for all but one short section washed away by the rain. There is a taverna at Vafkeri at about half-way along the trail (reports Aug 25 that it is now closed, hopefully not for long).

The trail can be extended along the high level track to Neochori and back to Nidri that way, or as far as Alatro. If on foot from Nidri I suggest getting a taxi to the start and then walk back via Neochori. This is also a route for a mountain bike ride if you can get past the rain damaged section, or if you avoid that by routing via Neochori or Alatro.

The trail starts 5km up the road from Nidri to Vafkeri – just after the big zig-zag section. You pass one or two villas beside the road and a concrete track goes off left, signposted to several villas. Park without blocking anything and take the concrete track.

After a short distance there are two forks one after another – keep right at both towards Villa El Aquila. Keep climbing up the concrete track. After 850m the concrete track goes up left to the villa itself and an unsurfaced track continues right. The unsurfaced track starts to climb zig-zags up through the rocks and trees. After 1km you start to come into Vafkeri village. Keep going straight on into the village, past a church on your left into the village centre. There is a taverna in the village where you can take a refreshment break.

Just as the track starts to descend steeply a concrete and stone track goes off left sloping down to the road. Go down to the road and turn left.

The road goes round bends to the right then the left to a big spring area on the left with a road going left immediately after. Take that road signposted to “Monastery of the Taxiarches” (another word for Archangel Michael). The spring has some old stones where villagers used to wash clothes, worth a quick look.

Walk up the quiet road through peaceful forest for 1.5km until you get to the semi-abandoned monastery (in the trees off to the left). It is very pretty and worth a short diversion to look around, or even a picnic (leave no litter, OC). If you pass on the 6th September the church will be open for services.

After looking at the monastery continue on the road, through vineyards, for 700m until an unsurfaced track goes off sharp left just after a bend to the right. Go down the track.

You now start to descend back towards Nidri, with the path zig zagging down the very steep slope. You get great views ahead.

After 1km the track reaches a saddle below a low hill, where there is a junction with another track going sharp left. Take the track left. (If you go straight on you come to another track junction above Neochori – and back to Nidri by an alternate route – or on along the high-level track as far as Alatro).

This trail goes left and down. After going round a few more zig-zags you reach a section where a stream has gouged away a big section of the track. On foot it is possible to get past keeping to the left and climbing down.

Continue down the track keeping right, right then left until you reach the road where you started.

If you haven’t got a car or taxi arranged, it is 5km to Nidri downhill all the way along the road. If walking to Nidri it is less road-walking, and nicer, to take the Neochori alternative route.