Volos-Anemoutsa-Agria

View to Agria

Distance: 11,6 km
Duration: 3,5 hours (walking time 3.10')
Altitude: from 20 m (start) to 394 m. (max) to 0 m. (finish)
Total ascent: 503 m. Total descent: 506 m.
Signed with red paint marks
Drinking water on walk: no
Download GPS track: from Everytrail   from Wikiloc

           

           This is a walk mainly on earth road with sections of path, passing from some interesting spots. Starting from Volos football stadium just above the swimming center (we can go there by taxi or city bus nr.3), we walk on a path that climbs on the slope of the adjacent hill (named Goritsa) through pinewood. On our right are the headquarters of the local Scouting organisation. We cross the asphalt twice and later join it at an angle. The road leads to the top of the hill and the chapel of Panagia. The view over the top is excellent. All around this area lay the ruins of an ancient city, built at 4th century BC, that was abandoned a few decades later and even its name still remains unknown (see Pelion mythology-history).

View over Volos from the top of  the hill

        From the east side of the church we take a downhill path, seeing the cement factory down below. The path opens to an earth road and we walk on that to the northeast, passing under remains of the ancient city`s fortification. We come to a locked door and pass through an opening. Further on, the road turns right but we continue straight ahead on a path which soon opens to another earth road. Our course runs just above the cement factory`s old quarry. The road ends, we continue on a path through a grove and then on a road next to a fence. We come to a junction and take the concrete road on the right, going uphill. At the following junction we go straight ahead.

The cement factory

          From a certain point we enjoy panoramic view of the cement factory from above. The road continues unpaved, incorporating small sections of kalderimi. We pass by a watering trough with a ruined cistern and eventually come to a road junction with a large sign in Greek. The downhill road to the right leads to Agria and if we take that, our walk will be shorter by twenty minutes. We preferred to head straight on towards the small settlement of Anemoutsa. After a little while, we come to a small drinking water fountain without water. On the right is the chapel of  Taksiarches. From there, we take a downhill path with some sections of kalderimi, following the red marks. This opens to the forementioned earth road going down towards Agria. After 200 m. on the road, we come to a cypress tree and a shrine (attention). Here we turn right into the olive grove, cross a stream and immediately come to the old deserted monastery of Taksiarches. The church is in good condition after renovation, but the other buildings have sadly collapsed.

Τhe old monastery at Anemoutsa

       Always following the frequent red marks, we continue on a path on the right side of the stream, going towards the sea in front of us. Certain spots  may be unpleasant to people with fear of heights, but not really difficult.

On the narrow trail towards the sea

          We cross an olive grove, pass on the left side of the stream and join the road to Agria, which is paved with concrete. At the junction where the paved road turns left, we continue to the right on a narrow earth track. Following the course of the stream on our right side, we pass by the drinking water fountain of ''Yiannis'' (without water too), then a school on our left side. Walking on Porfirogeni (ΠΟΡΦΥΡΟΓΕΝΗ) str., we finally end up to the seafront of Agria with its plethora of tavernas and cafes. We can return to Volos by city bus nr. 5 or taxi.