Hiking to the top of Kartalos Rock

The route at a glance

Route suitable for: Hiking.

Degree of difficulty: Easy (for the level of experienced hikers).

Features: An amazing proposal (at least as far as the purely pedestrian part is concerned) for the ascent to the top of the impressive sharp-pointed rock of Kartalos, in the south-east of Amari, with the wonderful view towards the Mesara plain and Mount Psiloritis.

The approach to the base of the rock is by dirt roads*, either from Platanos or from Lochria. The shortest route starts from Lochria, and is the one proposed in this proposal.

Note: Avoid using a conventional car, and prefer a 4X4 vehicle. The dirt roads in many places are stony and unsuitable for low vehicles. If you finally decide to follow this part of the route on foot, keep in mind that during the summer months the temperature in this place is very high.

Marking: Non-existent up to 3.4 km of the road route (junction at point 06) – Elementary from this point to the top.

Starting point: At the southern exit of the village of Lochria, at the height of the village’s bakery.

End: Church of Timios Stavros (the Holy Cross) at the top of Kartalos. Return by following the route in reverse.

Drinking water points along the route: None

Realization: Any time of the year.

Equipment

Spring – Summer – Autumn: Hiking or Trekking shoes, short pants, walking stick, hat, sunglasses, water (1½ liter water bottle).

Winter: Hiking or Trekking shoes, winter clothing, raincoat, walking stick, water (1½ liter water bottle).

The route in numbers

Route length: road section 3.4 km / walking section 2.3 km

Duration: 0h40′ – 0h50′ (section of the hike from point 06 to the summit)

Minimum altitude: 407m (at point 06)

Highest altitude: 698m (at Timios Stavros church)

Total elevation gain / loss: +331m / – 186m

Slope: Maximum +37,4 % / -29,9 %. Average: +13,6 % / -10,5 %