Sotirianika – Kambos

Route: Sotirianika – Koskaraka Gorge – Kambos

Timing: approx. 2 hours

Difficulty: 2/5

Description: Generally  gentle gradients through beautiful and surprisingly fertile countryside. “Kambos” means plain/plateau but in fact the walk is through a series of valleys carved into the limestone hills. The kalderimi down into the gorge is very well preserved in places. Transport is required to get to Sotirianika. It is possible to continue on from Kambos to Kardamyli- walk 1B.

1. This is the drop off point if you take the local bus.
2. Otherwise, the walk begins just after the old school at the olive oil factory. Turn right immediately after the factory down a dirt path that soon becomes a stone path that winds its way through the village. The path then descends through the second part of the village to reach a concrete road. Turn right and follow the map.
3. At a junction of roads, turn left onto a concrete road that immediately turns into a dirt road.
4. If you are wondering what the floodlights are for, they are used for the yearly celebration of Saint Nikolaos, a church located to the left of the track. The track soon becomes a kalderimi that winds its way down into the gorge (and gets a little overgrown in places).
5. Cross the wonderful stone bridge and continue up the path until you reach a dirt road- turn right.
6. Be sure to have a peep inside this derelict building as it was once an olive oil press and has the grindstone still in situ. You can see Zarnata Castle on the skyline- this is the direction you are heading. At the next main junction of roads, cross a concrete bridge and take the right fork heading upwards. The church up to your right was once a nunnery.

The concrete road leads all the way to the main high street of Kambos. Turn left. There are a couple of coffee shops here and a bakery. At the far end of the high street is a supermarket.

If you have had enough, simply grab a coffee and wait for the bus to Kardamyli – Stoupa etc.