Vatoussa- Revma - Chidira - Vathylimno - Pterounta - Vatoussa
| General description: |
Hiking trail with great geological interest amidst a sparse oak forest, thorny juniper shrubs, cultivated and abandoned olive groves, riverbank vegetation, plane trees, pastures, fields, and small vineyards. |
| Detail description: |
The Circular Hiking Route unfolds within the caldera, at the bottom of the crater of an extinct volcano millions of years old. It passes through areas where the geological history of the earth and the history of the settlement and activity of the local population are "exposed" at every step of the hiker. The noble Vatousa, a traditional settlement and "capital village" of the caldera villages, the small Rema, the dynamic Hidira with the Digital Museum of Iakovides and the famous "Methymnaean Wine", and the picturesque Pterounta, built with the unique "winged stone", are connected by the paths of ancient times, under the shade of the ancient oak tree scattered in pastures and hills. The ruins of the watermill at the waterfall of Vathylimni and the stone bridge of the Bulgari River stand as tangible evidence of the area's past, which maintains its tranquility, away from the main roads. |
| Transportation means: |
Car and bus to Vatoussa, Hydira and Pterunda |
| Accessibility: |
Asphalted access to Vatoussa, Hydira and Pterounda, connection to rural roads |
| Best season: |
Spring, Autumn |
| Places to visit: |
Gogos mansion - Folklore Museum of Vatousa and ecclesiastical (Byzantine) Museum, Church of the Assumption (1850) and Temple of the Taxiarches (1832-33) - Vatoussa, Iakovidis Museum - Chidira |
| Signage: |
Yes |
| Route starting point: |
Vatoussa |
| End of Route: |
Vatoussa |
| Type of tourism: |
Nature-loving, walking/hiking, historical |
Points of interest
Vatoussa
| Name: |
Vatoussa |
| Description: |
Settlement |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.226357 |
| Latitude: |
26.049347 |
| Altitude: |
253 |
The traditional settlement of Vatousa, as well as the villages of Pterounta and Hidira, are located within an volcanic crater. This crater has a diameter of 6 kilometers and is the result of volcanic activity that occurred approximately 21 million years ago. Over time, the original form of the crater has been altered. Today, we can only observe some remnants of this large volcano. Its name comes from the many "batous" (brambles) that grew in the area. From one end to the other, it boasts impressive neoclassical, colorful traditional houses with large courtyards, historic buildings, and temples.
Revma
| Name: |
Revma |
| Description: |
Settlement |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.2170930940065 |
| Latitude: |
26.0408301822772 |
| Altitude: |
|
The "Reuma" or "Rema" is one of the smallest villages in Lesvos in terms of area. A characteristic point of the village is the square with the ancient plane tree. Walking on the cobbled alleys of the village, we admire the stone-built houses. The three-aisled basilica church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. It was renovated in 1880, and in its courtyard, we can see the ancient marble piece with the three relief wreaths and inscription.
Chidira
| Name: |
Chidira |
| Description: |
Settlement |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.203621 |
| Latitude: |
26.024968 |
| Altitude: |
305 |
One of the most beautiful and picturesque villages in Lesvos. Built at an altitude of 350 meters, on the slopes of Mount Koilani. The name of Mount Koilani attests to its history. "Koiranos," in Homeric language, means "tyrant," that is, the king. This name, combined with the ruins of a prehistoric acropolis discovered in Chidira, indicates that the village was a center of prehistoric settlement. Today, visitors to the village can visit the G. Iakovides Digital Museum, created to fill the gap in promoting the artistic heritage of the village as the artist's birthplace. In the area, there is also a modern winery that produces organically grown wine from the ancient, revived variety of the Lesvos wine grape, which is considered unique in the world.
Pterounta
| Name: |
Pterounta |
| Description: |
Settlement |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.213821 |
| Latitude: |
26.054347 |
| Altitude: |
262 |
The settlement of Pterounta was founded before 1830. The large tripartite basilica that dominates the village is dedicated to Saint John the Theologian and was founded in 1860. On the central square of the village, there is also the monumental fountain, with the cornice, the so-called "Koutlideio Hydragogeio" (1952-1953).
Vathylimno
| Name: |
Vathylimno |
| Description: |
Waterfall |
| Category: |
Natural landscape |
| Longitude: |
39.208702 |
| Latitude: |
26.037418 |
| Altitude: |
200 |
The Vathylimno waterfall is an important resting point and attraction of the hiking trails network in Western Lesvos. The Vathylimno waterfall is located between Chidira and Pterounta and originates from the forest of black pines in the mountain range of Prophet Elias (799 m).
The Vathylimno waterfall was created along a fissure between layers, aged 16.5-21.5 million years. The wider area of the waterfall is called Myrodies. In Myrodies, one can find one of the rarest subalpine forests in Southern Europe with rare Rhododendron luteum, also known as "agoudouros" by locals. Rhododendron luteum is found only in Western Lesvos, out of all Greece, while its distribution ranges from the Caucasus to Eastern Europe. The beautiful trees with their rich yellow inflorescences are toxic and their consumption can even lead to death, while Dioscurides and Pliny mention the Rhododendron luteum as a medicinal plant.
The route