The route
Ano Lechonia is one of the first villages you can find in Pelion. It is a large village with many architectural monuments mostly in ruins with the passage of time. However, some small castles and mansions have been preserved as a testimony of the past and history. The village is also home to more recent history - it has become a symbol of resistance. On July 8, 1944 part of ELAS (Greek liberation army) killed the Nazi guard and occupied the headquarters of the SS. Today it is a village that most pass casually, the main road that crosses it brings out none of the beauties, but for the more informed visitor it is of great interest. The picturesque village maintains its narrow streets and low houses with large gardens. The locals grow crops like other ‘devotee' farmers all over the fertile land of Pelion providing and distributing a wide variety of local produce.
From Lehonia the train of Pelion (the “Moutzouris”) starts its journey, to arrive at Milies through a beautiful trail with stone arched bridges, gullies, trees, lush vegetation and old settlements. From here began our journey to the mountain villages of central Pelion. Starting with the station heading to Agios Georgios. the beginning of the trail is shaded and runs parallel to the "Koufala" stream which throughout the year has water, and is one of the few streams in Pelion which still contains trout. We pass Paliokastro onwards and to our left we have Agios Vlasios. The climb is not so easy, but our eyes and then the mind are busy taking in the scenery. Below us starts to spread out the Pagasetic Gulf, opposite Othrys and mainland Greece then the city of Volos which is less than 10 kilometers away. Continuing to climb the bends are hairpin and roadsides more naked until we begin to distinguish the village of Agios Giorgios.
After the village is the location of 'Rachi', which is the highest point of the route at 675m. altitude and then starts downhill for 8 kilometers through Pinakates Vizitsa and Milies. Although it is a very quick and enjoyable downhill it needs care, especially in the section between Pinakates and Vyzitsa. The next village is Milies, after passing it we turn left at the junction for Neochori which is a 5km climb having on our right the area of the Panagiotiko dam, and at the next junction turn right on the big downhill. At this point it is very wide open, the road turns and allows high speeds. Another little uphill and we are in the village. The difficult part of the route is over, we have left behind the major climbs and now remains the downhill to the village of Afetes and in turn the seaside village of Koropi and the last 12 kilometers is the coastline of the Pagasetic gulf. The ride ends where it started having covered 50 kilometers and having enjoyed a very good taste of Pelion. The ascent of the mountain villages, open downhills and parts near the sea with small fishing villages give a very good picture of the area, but to get a complete picture and reveal the splendor of the area in its entirety needs many more kilometers.
Route kindly provided by Montis Ordo
