Around Vizitsa (circular)

Liturgy at Taksiarches chapel, 5/9/2015

Αpproaching the Taksiarches chapel on the cliff

 Distance: 5,8 km.

Time: 2h 40' with stops

Altitude; from 283 m. (min) to 525 m. (max)

Total climbing up/down; 386 m.

Signed with:red paint, several metal or wooden signs

Drinking water on walk: Vizitsa, Milies train station

Start: main asphalt, just above the main church

End: Vizitsa village square

Last checked:August 2023

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      This beautiful circular route, which has the village square of Vizitsa at its highest point, gives us the opportunity to visit many attractions of the area: the monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos and the old fountain below it, the train station of Milies, the metal train bridge at Taxiarches chapel (or, as it is sometimes called, the De Chirico bridge), the small church of Taxiarches on the rock, the small stone-concrete bridge over the stream, the waterfall ''Katafidi'', and finally the central church of Zoodochos Pigi under the square. To see all that, it will take a little less than three hours, including stops as we please.   

    Srtarting from the main asphalt and walking on it downhill towards Milies, we pass above the shop of the Women's Cooperative "Esperides" (where we can buy quality local products), and find on our right the kalderimi (cobblestone path) that leads below to the old tiny monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos (St. John the Baptist), worthy of a stop. Leaving the monastery, we descend on a narrow cobblestone path next to the wall of the monastery, and immediately join a wide kalderimi below. On our left is an old (renovated) drinking water fountain. The cobblestone below is cut abruptly by a dirt road, on which we walk to the left.  

                       The kalderimi  below the monastery of St. John the Baptist, Vizitsa

        In a short while, we pass under the cemetery of Vιzitsa and come out on an asphalt road. We cross it and continue along the path, which quickly becomes a nice kalderimi. To our right we have the large Miliotiko ravine. We see high up opposite the white chapel of the Lifting of the Holy Cross and, if we pay attention, we will see below it, built in a recess of the steep rock on the cliff, the small chapel of Taxiarches. 

The metal bridge from above

    The cobblestone becomes a path again and we get to a path junction. We choose the right branch, intending to walk through the Milies train station, as that path crosses a stream and comes out just at the station's entrance.

Arriving to the train station of Milies

        We walk along the tracks and after ten minutes we reach the famous metal bridge, built in the early 1900s by the German engineer Schneider, a specialist in metal bridges, under the supervision of  chief engineer Evaristo de Chirico (father of the important surrealist painter Giorgio de Chirico , who was born in Volos). 

        We return by the same way and, reaching the intersection below, we go left. The path runs smoothly along the wooded slope, We pass by a cave that was used by a shepherd for his animals (now  abandoned) and we cross twice the large Miliotiko stream (there is usually no water here). The path becomes a dirt road and we come out on the asphalt road that goes to Argyreika. Here we walk uphill and at the second sharp turn that the asphalt makes, we leave it straight ahead onto a dirt road, which soon becomes cobblestone and we cross the stream again over a small concrete bridge.

      Shortly after the bridge, paying attention to our left, we find a narrow path which in a few meters brings us in front of the impressive "Katafidi" waterfall. It is a truly beautiful spot, especially in the spring when the stream brings down a lot of water as ths snow high on the mountain is melting, and we will definitely stay long enough to enjoy it. In the summer the water dries up, but the spot always remains impressive.

Katafidi waterfall at its best

    We return to the wide, expertly made cobblestone and climb up towards Vizitsa. A little further, the cobblestone is blocked by a landslide and we have to leave it to the right and make a detour walking on a dirt track. Further up we reach an intersection, where the cobblestone continues climbing diagonally to the left (attention!), next to a large shrine. Constantly climbing, we pass the central church of Zoodochos Pighi, cross the asphalt and finally reach the picturesque square of Vyzitsa at an altitude of 525 meters.

                                                                 Vizitsa square

Κala Nera-Vizitsa-Milies train station (circular)

View to Milies

Distance: 13,3 km
Time: about 6 h total, moving time 4.45'
Altitude: from 0 m. (Kala Nera) to 520 m. max (Vizitsa square)
Total elevation gain/loss: 694 m.
Signed with red paint and yellow metal signs
Drinking water on walk: yes
Start/finish: Kala Nera beach at the bus turn
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         This is an excellent circular walk, mostly on kalderimi, climbing from the beach of Kala Nera to Vizitsa and returning back via the train station of Milies. Points of interest on our way include the waterfall Katafidi near Vizitsa, the old monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos (St. John the Baptist) at Vizitsa, the metallic train bridge and the tiny chapel of Taxiarchis near Milies train station, and, finally, the cave of ''Centaur Chiron'' (see Pelion: mythology and history).

          Starting from the bus turn at the seaside of Kala Nera, we walk away from the sea on the asphalt road. We come to cross the main asphalt at an angle to the right (attention to traffic!) and on the other side continue on an earth path next to a house which is on our right. The path soon becomes cobblestone kalderimi, ascending through olive groves.

          On our way up we walk through the cottages of the settlement ''Argireika'', including an old olive press. Many inhabitants of Vizitsa preferred to stay here through winter, to  be nearer to their olive groves and to avoid heavy winter snow, which is not unusual in Pelion. This was common practice in most Pelion villages.

             Further up, we walk for a short distance on earth road. There is an open irrigation water tank on our left. After that, we find the kalderimi again, overgrown with vegetation but still passable (in spring 2019). Eventually it opens at an angle to a wider earth road, next to the small chapel of Timios Stavros. From here we can see Vizitsa in the middle, Milies to the right and Pinakates to the left. There is a large ravine, which we will have to cross, between our position and Vizitsa.

View to Vizitsa

          So, we conitinue on the road downhill. Further on, it becomes asphalt. At a sharp right turn we leave it and walk at a straight line on a narrow earth road, which becomes kalderimi and we come to cross the stream over a small concrete bridge. Shortly after that, watching on our left, we find a path that leads to the waterfall ''Katafidi''. This is an excellent spot, especially early in spring, when the flow of water is high. The waterfall is dry through summer and autumn but remains impressive nonetheless.

Katafidi waterfall (in spring)

            Returning back to the wide, well-crafted kalderimi, higher up it suffers from landslides, so we have to abandon it and walk on an earth track. Coming to a junction, we find the kalderimi up left, next to a shrine. It keeps climbing up and we enter Vizitsa, passing by the main church of  Zoodochos Pighi, then crossing the asphalt road and finally we arrive at the cosy village square. This is the highest point of our walk (520 m.), where we can have a refreshment or a snack. 

Vizitsa square

           Returning back to the asphalt, we walk on this to the left. In a little while, we pass by the women`s association ''Esperides''  where local products are sold, and then turn right on a kalderimi that leads to the tiny 18th century monastery of  Aghios Ioannis Prodromos (St. John the Baptist).

The monastery`s church entrance

        Since 2017 it is looked after by sister Markella, who can also guide us around. From the entrance of the monastery we continue downhill on a path just next to the monastery`s outer wall and join a wide descending kalderimi. 

         We pass by a roofed drinking water fountain on our left and then join an earth road, on which we walk downhill. Passing under the village`s cemetery, we cross an asphalt road and continue on a path which soon becomes kalderimi.  On our right is the large overgrown Miliotiko ravine. At the opposite bank we can make the white chapel of Timios Stavros and, if we look carefully, the chapel of Taxiarchis built midway on the cliff. 

         Further down, the kalderimi becomes earth path and we come to a path junction. We elect the right branch, which further down opens to the train rails and we follow them to the right to visit the bridge. In five minutes we reach the magnificent metallic bridge, which was constructed in the beginning of 20th century by Schneider, a German specialist engineer, under the supervision of Italian chief engineer Evaristo de Chirico.

The metallic train bridge

   

            Just after we pass over the bridge, we find a narrow ascending path and follow it climbing steadily. At a junction we take the left branch.  After climbing some steps built with stones, we walk on a narrow lane on the nearly vertical rock, that leads to the tiny chapel of Taxiarchis,  built on the edge of the cliff, accompanied by the birds, waiting every day to hear the shuffle of the little train  passing below.

The path on the cliff

              Tracing our steps back, we follow the rails to get to the train station of Milies (end of the train line). We continue on the asphalt for 100 m. (on the left an uphill kalderimi leads to the square of Milies) and then find the kalderimi to Kala Nera next to a small drinking water fountain and follow it downhill. Wide and clear, it winds down to cross the Miliotiko stream over a concrete bridge and continues on the other bank between olive groves. At some point there is signpost on the left side, indicating a large cave, called somewhat arbitrarily Centaur Chiron`s cave.

          Further on, we join at an angle an earth road, on which we walk for 100 m. to find the continuity of the kalderimi on the left. Eventually the kalderimi ends and we continue walking on an earth road, which later becomes paved with concrete as it passes by the cemetery of Kala Nera and then joins the main asphalt. At the juction lie a few cypress trees and a road sign to ''Argireika''. We walk on the main asphalt for 100 m. and then, at the junction with the kalderimi coming from Vizitsa, turn left on the asphalt road that opens down to the seaside of Kala Nera, at the point of the bus turn, from where our walk had started.

Kala Nera beach (off season)

Kala Nera-Pinakates-Vizitsa-Milies train station (circular)

Climbing up towards Pinakates

Distance: 14 km.
Time: 5,5 hours with stops
Altitude: 0 m. (Kala Nera beach) to 590 m. (maximum, Pinakates)
Total elevation gain/loss: 708 m.
Signed with red paint marks and various signs.
Drinking water on walk: yes
Download GPS track:  from Wikiloc

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       This circular walk, most of which takes place on cobbled stone path (kalderimi), connects three eminent Pelion villages to the beach of Kala Nera.

        Starting from the seaside at Kala Nera, at the corner of ''Roumeli'' hotel-restaurant, we walk on the asphalt away from the sea, reaching the main asphalt road in a few minutes and follow it to the right for fifty meters. Just after the gas station, we find the continuity of the route on the left side of the road, along with a couple of signs. Initially it looks like a narrow earth road, but soon the kalderimi appears.

        On our way up, we cross an earth road near a bend, and then reach the church of Panayia (Virgin Mary), at the settlement called Oglas. Most people of Pinakates preferred to stay here in winter, to  be nearer to their olive groves and to avoid heavy winter snow, which is not unusual in Pelion. This was common practice -not any more- in most Pelion villages.

Church of  Panayia at Oglas

      After the church, the kalderimi gets covered with concrete for a short section, until we cross a road. Then it reappears but a little higher up gets covered again. Soon it opens on a bend of a road, next to a concrete building of the water system. We take the left branch and soon find the kalderimi again on the right, climbing with zigzags. A little higher up, we come to cross the train rails over an arched stone bridge. A branch of the kalderimi to the left goes down to the rails and to the old train stop that used to serve Pinakates.

Stone bridge crossing the train rails

       The kalderimi continues to climb and we have nice views over Kala Nera and the sea. Reaching a cottage, it becomes cement road, which then takes a left turn. We walk past another cottage with a characteristic stone roof and then join a wider road. After a left turn of the road, we easily notice the kalderimi on the right side and follow it, crossing the road three times. Further up, the kalderimi is covered by concrete and in a few meters joins the asphalt road. At this junction there is a walker sign on a post. We go past a cottage and the kalderimi continues parallel to the asphalt, a few meters to the right. Here it is overgrown, but still remains passable. It joins the asphalt again and then branches off to the right, crosses the asphalt one more time and continues on a straight line.

      We come to a junction with a road from the right, which goes to the church of Agia Kiriaki, and then come to cross the asphalt for the last time. We can now see the  houses of Pinakates. On the right is a large shrine and a drinking water fountain. Opposite on the left is an old threshing floor (''aloni''). Straight ahead the kalderimi continues, wide and clear, along with some old telephone posts, to cross an overgrown ravine over a concrete bridge.

       After the bridge, the kalderimi climbs sharply. We come to a junction, where we go right and at the following one go left uphill, following the red dots. Finally, climbing a few steps, we arrive to the picturesque square of Pinacates, dominated by the huge old plane tree at the middle. The notable neo-classical style marble drinking water fountain was  built in 1894 with donations of wealthy expats from Alexandria, Egypt. There is a cafe-restaurant at the square, open all year round.

The square of Pinakates

       To continue to Vizitsa, the easiest way is to walk to the right (southeast) on the asphalt which runs above the square and after 400 m. we will notice on our left the signpost to the path behind the road`s safety bar. But there is also a way to walk through the village avoiding the asphalt, as indicated here. So, we start going backwards from the square descending the few steps and in a few meters there is a kalderimi T-junction, where we turn left downhill. Reaching the corner of a house we take the left branch. At the next two junctions we ignore a sharply climbing kalderimi to the left and continue straight ahead, going roughly parallel to the asphalt road which runs a little lower. Eventually we come down to cross the asphalt seeing the signpost to the path on the opposite side, behind the road`s safety bar.

The path to Vizitsa on a rainy day

        The path zigzags down to cross the stream of Vasiliki, which has water running in the spring. On the other bank an earth road runs parallel to the stream, on which we walk for 100 meters to the right (downhill). Seeing the signpost, we find the continuity of the path, climbing on the slope heading east. Reaching a signed junction, we head left uphill for a few meters and then the path turns gently to the right, starting to descend. Dry stone walls support the sides of the path as we walk along the upper border of a grove. We can see Vizitsa at the opposite slope and also the sea at the distance. 

View to Vizitsa

         After the grove, a short section of the path suffers and narrows from landslides but remains passable and descends to cross the stream of Galani. Climbing on the other bank, there is a short section of cobblestone (kalderimi), then again earth path. After crossing a third, smaller stream, we find kalderimi again entering Vizitsa, descending towards the square. A concrete road comes to end at that spot. A little further on, we pass next to an old drinking water fountain (Sakellari fountain, 18th century), sadly without running water most time of the year. 

A characteristic old mansion in Vizitsa

        At a kalderimi junction we head to the left, walk over a concrete bridge and finally reach the nice and quiet square of Vizitsa, surrounded by renovated old mansions showing the characteristic Pelion architectural style.  

The square of Vizitsa

        Going down the wide kalderimi, we come to the asphalt. The main kalderimi to Kala Nera continues straight ahead downhill. We have the option to take this to return back, making the walk shorter by about 45`. However, on this walk  we are heading first to the Milies train station, so we follow the asphalt to the left for about 100 meters. Just after the shop of the local women`s association ''Hesperides'', where we can buy local products, we find the downhill kalderimi leading to the tiny 18th century monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos (St. John the Baptist). Since 2017 it is looked after by sister Markella, who can also guide us around.

The kalderimi below the monastery

        From the entrance of the monastery we continue downhill on a path just next to the monastery`s outer wall and join a wide descending kalderimi. We pass by a roofed drinking water fountain on the left and then join an earth road, on which we walk downhill. Passing under the village`s cemetery, we cross an asphalt road and continue on a path which soon becomes kalderimi.  On our right is the large overgrown Miliotiko ravine. At the opposite bank we can make the white chapel of Stavros and, if we look carefully, the chapel of Taxiarches built midway on the cliff. 

       Further down, the kalderimi becomes earth path and we come to a junction. Both branches lead to the train station: the right one opens to the rails and we follow these to the left to the station, while the left branch crosses an overgrown stream and continues to the entrance of the train station, next to the cafe-restaurant that operates there.  

The train of Pelion, entering Milies train station

         We follow the asphalt for 100 m. (on the left an uphill kalderimi leads to the square of Milies) and then find the kalderimi to Kala Nera next to a small drinking water fountain and follow it downhill. Wide and clear, it winds down to cross the Miliotiko stream over a concrete bridge and continues on the other bank between olive groves. At some point there is a signpost on the left side, indicating a large cave, called after Centaur Chiron.

          At some point it joins at an angle an earth road, on which we walk for 100 m. to find the continuity on the left. Eventually the kalderimi ends and we continue walking on an earth road, which later becomes paved with concrete after passing by the cemetery of Kala Nera and then joins the main asphalt. At the junction lie a few cypress trees and a road sign to ''Argireika''. We walk on the main asphalt for 100 m. and then, at the junction with the kalderimi coming from Vizitsa, turn left on an asphalt road that opens down to the seaside of Kala Nera, at the point of the bus turn.

Kala Nera

Milies train station-Vizitsa (circular)

Milies train station

Distance: 9,4 km.
Time: 3 hours
Altitude: from 290 m. (train station) to 585 m. (Vizitsa)
Total elevation gain /loss: 296 m.
Signed with red paint dots and various signs

Start: Milies train station  End: Vizitsa square
Drinking water on walk: yes (Vizitsa)
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         Starting from Milies train station, to get to Vizitsa is a nice 45-minute walk uphill. From Vizitsa we take the downhill cobblestone path (kalderimi) towards Kala Nera and, reaching the train rails, we follow these to return to the start.

          There are two alternative ways to start the walk. The first one is: Just before the entrance of the train station, we take the uphill stone paved track on the right. This continues as an earth track above the train station, and then, as the track takes an uphill turn, we continue on an earth path straight ahead (notice the red marks). We cross an overgrown stream and then come to a path junction. 

Crossing the stream near the train station

          The second way to start, is to walk initially on the train rails. One hundred meters after leaving the station, looking on the right, we notice the uphill path to Vizitsa, marked with red paint and a wooden sign. After a short distance we come to the junction where the two paths merge, and continue climbing on a wide and clear path, which later on becomes a kalderimi. On our left is the large Miliotiko ravine. We can see the white chapel of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) on the opposite slope (we will pass by there on our way back). A little lower, if we look carefully, we can make the tiny chapel of Taxiarches built on the cliff. 

        Higher up, we come to cross the asphalt and continue on an earth road, passing just under the cemetery of Vizitsa. A little further on, we notice the kalderimi on the right and follow it uphill. We pass by a roofed spring water and by the tiny 18 century monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos (St. John the Baptist), looked after by sister Markella and worthy of a visit, and then the kalderimi opens to the main asphalt road of Vizitsa.

Agios Ioannis Prodromos monastery at Vizitsa

        Walking another 100 m. on the asphalt uphill, after the parking area and a water fountain, we have on the left the main church of Vizitsa (Zoodhochos Pigi-Virgin Mary). In front of the church descends the main kalderimi coming from the square above, going towards Kala Nera and we follow it. A few meters on there is a kalderimi junction. We take the left branch and at the next junction the right branch downhill. A little further down, the kalderimi disappears as it meets an earth road. In 1994 this area suffered landslides which buried and blocked the original kalderimi.

         Noticing the signpost on the left, we follow an earth track downhill. At the end of it, we find the kalderimi again, wide and clear, climbing down to cross the stream over a concrete bridge. During winter and spring, the streamwater forms a scenic waterfall here. There is a narrow path just above the bridge leading to the waterfall.

Katafidi waterfall

The concrete bridge over Kakorema

       After the bridge the kalderimi becomes earth road joining an asphalt road and we walk on it uphill. Reaching the white chapel of Timios Stavros, which we could see from the opposite slope, we climb some steps on the right side of the road, entering the kalderimi. This passes next to a concrete water tank and then joins an earth road, where we walk for a few metres to the left to find the kalderimi again, descending among olive groves, cottages and earth roads through the settlement called ''Argireika''.

Approaching Milies

          Eventually, we come to cross the train rails over a stone bridge. Here we leave the kalderimi, which continues downhill towards the sea, and follow the rails to the left eastwards. In about 45 minutes, we reach the impressive metallic train bridge going by the name of De Chirico (the Italian engineer responsible for building the train line Volos-Milies, completed in 1903, although this particular bridge was in fact built by the German engineer Schneider, an expert on metal bridges at the time).

The metal bridge seen from above

          Before crossing the bridge however, it  is worthy to visit the small chapel of Taxiarhon above us. So we take the narrow path marked with red paint on the left, climbing steadily. At a junction we take the left branch.

Taxiarchon chapel

           After climbing some steps built with stones, we walk on a narrow lane on the nearly vertical rock (people suffering from fear of heights should avoid it) that leads to the tiny chapel built on the edge of the cliff, accompanied by the birds, waiting every day to hear the shuffle of the little train  passing below.

       Returning back and crossing the bridge, we arrive back to the station in fifteen minutes, thus completing the circle.

Pinakates-Vizitsa

Pinakates

Distance: 1,74 km
Time: 50 min.
Altitude: from 590 m. (Pinakates) to 510 m. (minimum) to 520 m. (Vizitsa)
Total elevation gain: 77 m.  Total elevation loss: 128 m.
Signed with red paint and round yellow signs

Start: Pinakates square  End: Vizitsa square
Drinking water on walk: no
Download GPS track: from Wikiloc

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         This route was cleaned and signed by volunteers in March 2016. It was in normal use until 1985, when construction of the asphalt road was completed. Pupils from Pinakates attending to Milies high school for example, had to walk on this route twice daily, regardless of weather conditions. It can also be used in combination to the routes Kala Nera to Pinakates and Kala Nera to Vizitsa, to create a circular walk, either extending to Kala Nera (longer) or to the train rails (shorter).

           Starting off rom the parking lot in Pinakates, just above the village`s square, we walk on the asphalt road towards Vizitsa. Exiting the village, the asphalt takes a right bend going downhill. We will find the path entrance 100 meters after that bend, looking for it on our left (we have to walk over the safety barrier at the side of the road).

          The path zigzags down to cross the stream of Vasilikis, which has water running in the spring. On the other bank an earth road runs parallel to the stream, on which we walk for 100 meters to the right (downhill). Seeing the signpost, we find the continuity of the path, climbing on the slope heading east. Reaching a signed junction, we head left uphill for a few meters and then the path turns gently to the right, starting to descend. Dry stone walls support the sides of the path as we walk along the upper border of a grove. We can see Vizitsa at the opposite slope and also the sea at the distance.

Seeing Vizitsa at the opposite slope

             After the grove, a short section of the path suffers from landslides but remains passable and descends to cross the stream of Galani. Climbing on the other bank, there is a short section of cobblestone (kalderimi), then again earth path. After crossing a third, smaller stream, we walk on kalderimi again entering Vizitsa. A concrete road comes to end at that spot. A little further on, we pass next to an old drinking water fountain (Sakellari fountain, 17th century), sadly without running water most time of the year.

Sakellari fountain at Vizitsa

         At a kalderimi junction we head to the left, walk over a concrete bridge and finally reach the nice and quiet square of Vizitsa, surrounded by renovated old mansions showing the characteristic Pelion architectural style.

 Vizitsa square

Renovated mansion at Vizitsa