Archipoli to Archangelos through the mountains
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Tuesday, 28 May 2024
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Archipoli to Archangelos
A relatively easy hike through the mountains from Archipoli to Archangelos
A trail through the mountainous area between the village of Archipoli and Archangelos. Relatively easy walking through most of the trail with spectacular views and a drink at the Mules Brew brewery to finish the walk
Archipoli to Archangelos - Essential Information
Walk Statistics (calculated from GPX):
- Start location: Archipoli
- End location: Archangelos
- Distance: km ( miles)
- Total Gain: metre ( ft)
- Total Descent: metre ( ft)
- Min Height: metre ( ft)
- Max Height: metre ( ft)
- Walk Time:
- Walk Grade: moderate
- Terrain: Tracks, some road walking
Maps:
The following maps and services can assist in navigating this route. There are links to printed maps and links to downloadable GPX route data for importing into navigational software and apps.
- GPX Route File
Route Verification Details
- Date of Walk: 12/10/2023
- Walk Time: 11:00:00 to 15:30:00
- Walkers: Griff, Kat
- Weather Conditions: Hot, blue skies with some cloud
Walk Notes
The Greek village of Archipoli, nestled in the pine forested hills west of Archangelos, is a typical central Rhodian village, with a rich history and full of traditional architecture amid narrow, winding streets lined with whitewashed houses. This is the beautiful setting where the hike to Archangelos begins, and where a coffee or frappé can set you up for a days adventure.
Unfortunately for the would be hiker there is little in the way of public transport linking the Eastern coast to the village. This leaves the option of a there and back walk from Archangelos which would be some 20 km in total, easily achievable by any seasoned hiker but a arduous hike for the casual walker. An alternative option, which was favoured by Griffmonster Walks is to use the Ktel public bus service to the popular tourist attraction of Seven Springs. There are two buses each day from Pefkos and Lindos which drop their passengers at the entrance to the springs, picking up later in the afternoon. This offers the perfect opportunity to amble up the road to Archipoli. This is a distance of 6 km but presents a more varied walk in total.
The road is a modern highway, although not very busy as it is off the main tourist route. The road steadily climbs through the forested hills full of plane and cypress trees. On the right a deep valley contains the Loutanis river, no more than a trickle during the Summer and Autumn months but always providing an enticing look into the the valley it courses through. On the hillsides, small irrigation aqueducts present themselves, channelling water across the chasms in the steep gradients.
Then amid all this forest and river valleys is the imposing and beautiful church of Agios Nektarios. This is a relatively new construction, started in 1970 and replacing an original church. In front of the church grounds, by the roadside, is an old sycamore tree, who girth betrays its years. This tree is hollow inside and a small wall around the tree guides visitor to enter a hole in the trunk to become ensconced in the tree itself. A roadside taverna sits adjacent to this tree to provide a welcome place to rest and explore.
The church is close to the start of the trail through the hills, but it is always worth the effort to continue another 1.5 km into Archipoli village before returning to start the hike. There are plenty of tavernas and coffee shops to pass an hour watching the world go by. We stopped off at Mimis coffee shop, located in front of the Holy Church Of Saint Demetrius (Ιερός Ναός Αγίου Δημητρίου) with its magnificent bell tower.
Returning to the start of the route through to Archangelos, there is a broad track that diverges from the road leading into the forest. At the time we walked this in 2024 there was a placard displaying the a satellite image entitled Eco route 4 with a highlighted route depicted on the image, which is the route this walk will initially follow. Alter Eco was a campaign to promote ethical sourcing and sustainable tourism. A series of routes were produced for the island to promote hiking and walking, together with an app that displays the routes. It has certainly been noticeable that since the covid years there appears to be a lot more folk of all nationalities exploring the island, away from the traditional tourist spots. We here at Griffmonster Walks have certainly noticed this and applaud campaigns like this that seek to draw tourists away from the overpopulated beaches. The island has so much more to offer.
The track we take heads into the hills following the Dillia river that drains into the Loutanis river just beyond the start of the route. The river is no more than a trickle and sits in the deep gulley between the mountains on either side. The broad track skirts around the hillside, steadily climbing some 150m through the forested hillside. There are no severe gradients to overcome, making this a walk for any seasoned walker of all capabilities. Close to the start we pass a cluster of beehives, the source of the local sought after honey that is on offer in the surrounding villages. Crevices tell tales of cascading water, where rubble and trees fall victim to winter rains. Small clearings present olive groves. A spring issues water that collects in a small pool. Giant boulders lie amid the trees. It is a world of wonder and discovery.
Eventually, as the ascent completes, the landscape opens up, the trees thinning to reveal broad panoramas of the barren Simiakos mountain, its broad peaks rising to some 418m in height. The track becomes more dusty as it negotiates the best route around the gulleys and contours of the hillside before making a steady descent. A curious cairn, some 2m high, made up from precariously placed stones, stands as monument to something unknown, and in front of it are the figures 3 0 0 constructed from an arrangement of pebbles. the significance is unknown. Alongside this is an Alter eco route 4 sign with an arrow pointing back the way we came, highlighting Agios Nektarios as the destination. Maybe this figure is a measurement or an altitude, who knows as we could not reference it with anything on the map?
A whitewashed water fountain presents itself opposite a small building, and then ahead is broad flat plateau where Archengelos nestles beneath distance mountains. Across this landscape are well maintained, lush olive groves and homesteads. Dogs bark and goats slip past our path. Distant mountains provide a backdrop and the varying shades and hues illustrate the depth of the view presenting a delight to the eyes.
The track makes a final descent around a chicane which quickly descends down to the plateau. This is not too steep but the rough rubble strewn ground does need some care to negotiate without slipping. Then, there is an easy but lengthy wander through this landscape of olive groves, water fountains, irrigation channels and the odd small chapel. The further one proceeds the more populated the area becomes until one reaches the main east coast highway. Then there, dead opposite, is the Mules Brew brewery with its welcoming tap room presenting a selection of brews, from lager to stout, IPA to light beers, something for everyone and a worthy reward for ones efforts. A perfect end to the days hike.
The public bus service along what essentially is the Archangelos bypass is a bit of a mystery. Some buses head straight along this road and others deviate into the town. However, despite asking the locals and searching Ktels website there is no explicit information of times and specific routes. Erring on the side of caution, there is a bus stop just under 1km from the brewery before the road junctions into the town, and it was here we set ourselves up and caught a bus through to Lindos. The helpful driver then made sure we got a connection to Pefkos. This was a most delightful and adventurous day out.
Directions
1. There is no public transport through to Archipoli, the start of this walk. There is a bus service that runs from Pefkos and Lindos through to the Seven Springs tourist attraction which is on the main road through to Archipoli. Alighting here and following the road for a further 6km beyond Seven Springs will bring you to the village.
2. Head out of Archipoli, back towards Seven Springs for 1km to where the road curves around to the left and there is a broad track diverging from the road on the right.
3. Take the track for 75m, then turn left onto the track that leads into the forested area.
4. Keep to the track for 0.5 km where there is a sharp bend to the left and the track leads up the hill. Before continuing around the bend there is a track that leads straight ahead. Take this.
5. Keep to the main track ignoring all other paths. The track eventually emerges from the forest and out into an open landscape.
6. After approximately 4km the track descends down a slope with a hairpin bend to join the fertile plain below
7. Follow the track at the bottom. This gently curves around to the left.
8. Keep to the track for 1 km to where there is a small chapel dedicated to Agios Vasilios on the left, and where another track joins from the right. Go straight ahead onto the surfaced road
9. After a further 0.6 km there is a fork in the road, take the left fork .
10. After a further 1 km at the road junction, turn right.
11. After another 0.5 km the road meets the main East Coast Highway with the Mules Brew brewery opposite.
12. There is a bus stop 1 km up the highway in the direction of Rhodes Town. This will catch buses that go through Archangelos and those that bypass the town centre.
Summary of Document Changes
Last Updated: 2024-05-29
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