Sunflower Books: Landscapes of LESVOS: WALKS AND CAR TOURS

Lesvos, 2nd ed (2007), updated 27/06/08

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Updates for walks and car tours (drives) on Lesvos given below supplement those provided in the guidebook. It is vital that this Update is read in conjunction with the text of the book, but note that the Update applies only to the edition stated and not to any earlier editions. (If you have an older edition of this book and want to "upgrade" to the latest edition at half price, click here.)

Information has been forwarded to us by users of the book, and Sunflower Books offers the data in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any misleading or inaccurate content in the Update. Unless indicated otherwise, what appears here has not been verified by the author or publisher, so please allow due caution when new or amended routes are suggested. Each piece of information is dated; bear in mind that some of the older observations may have since been overtaken by events or further changes. If, during your holiday, you are using the current edition of the guide and are able to provide any additional updating to add to this page, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please send information, preferably in hard copy, by post, to Sunflower Books, PO Box 115, Exeter EX2 6YU (or if you prefer, by e-mail, to mail@sunflowerbooks.co.uk).

GENERAL: We would welcome comment re further bulldozing activity damaging routes, especially the kalderimis and footpaths, as we are in dialogue with the authorities on Lesvos and with the Minister of Tourism in Athens, Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos, about the protection of the very facilities visitors come to Greece to enjoy. + A user wrote to say he saw new signposts and waymarks. In our experience waymarks sometimes fizzle out - and besides, sometimes they bulldoze straight across newly waymarked routes. The local thinking goes: footpaths are a good idea; let's get some funding. There is no planning and no real understanding of what it's all about and, most importantly, little or no effort is made to maintain them. (Brian and Eileen)

Car tour 5: The terrapins on the banks of the Almiropotamos are hard to see in the murky water. Two better places to see them are:
- at Polichnitos Spa below the bridge between the new and old bathing areas
- 4 km past the turning off the main Kalloni /Mytiline road to Achladeri bridge, where the road curves over the Rizonas River - they come right out of the water here and up on the riverbank. (E-Mail, 06/07)

Walk 6: The second half of the Sunflower Walk 6 Agiassos-Asomatos-Agiassos walk has a sign at each end
giving distances & showing waymarking with yellow diamonds - none of which are actually seen on the walk, yet... (User, winter 2006)

Walk 8: There are now large new wooden fingerposts for some of the main walks around Agiassos. Walk 8 as signposted now differs in parts from the Sunflower version & is waymarked with occasional red diamonds. (User, winter 06) It is important to follow the instructions in the book, NOT this waymarking. (Authors, 4/07) + You can ascend to the summit by a shorter, sharper, scrambling route following signs for PROFITAS ILIAS from the garage at the (1h19min) point. Easier to descend by the access road. (User, 6/08)

Walk 24: On page 116 the 2nd column says "....Klopedi Temple site (49min). Stay left on the rocky path..." This is confusing. When we were there the gate to the site was locked so we walked left around the perimeter fence and got lost! What is needed here is an instruction to go right (not left) inside the fence if you can. We managed to climb over the fence at a low point close to the entrance and found a signpost pointing right to Moni Taxiarchis which brought us to the car park but the confusion added about half an hour to an otherwise enjoyable walk. (User, 6/08) + I Agree with other comments here. Go close round the Klpoedi site building, keeping it on your right, climb over a low fence and in 2 mins join the track to the parking area. (User, 6/08)

Walk 23: At start, when you tun right on to the cobbled road, the 5 minutes mentioned is from the start of the walk. Turn right onto the cobbled road and
in less than 1 minute take the next left over the concrete bridge with a stream on the left... Also, on the descent from Lafionas: from the 57min point to rejoining the outward route at its 23 min point, the path is virtually impassable due to extensive drainage works. This is probably short term , but suggest checks are made on completion dates, if possible? (User, 6/08)
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Walk 25: The kalderimi has been bulldozed for new road access to a farm, about 500yds down on the route from Limonas to Metochi... Also we started the walk in Skala Kalloni, walking to the startpoint via Kalloni and returning via alternative walk 27in around 3h 15m. The terrapins at Achladeri bridge are delightful and hungry!! Don't go empty handed!! This is a lovely cool, shady spot to stop and be entertained by these creatures as they vie for andy crumbs on offer. (User, 6.08)

Walk 27: At the top of page 126 it says "...stay ahead to descend a path/trail" Quite correct but when we did this walk 2 weeks ago the entry to the path/trail was blocked by undergrowth cuttings which had been dumped there causing us to doubt the route. We persevered and all was well! (User, 6/08)