The best hikes from bus stations in Βουνό Άτρος (Αγ. Νικολάου-Πόρου)

The Atros Monastery (Moni Atrou) is considered the oldest monastery on the island and was probably founded in the 8th or 9th century during the Byzantine era. The monastery is located on Mount Atros at an altitude of about 760 meters above sea level, northwest of the coastal town of Poros. Particularly striking is the well-preserved medieval defensive tower, which was built to protect against pirate attacks. It is dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary and celebrates its main festival every year on September 8th.

Skala Beach is located on the southeast coast of the island and stretches for about 3 to 4 kilometers along the coast in the south of Kefalonia. It is known for its mixture of fine sand and pebbles, as well as its extremely clear, crystal blue water. The beach is well organized with sunbeds, umbrellas, water sports facilities, and numerous tavernas and bars right on the coastal road.

The hike to the ruins of Old Skala is a historically rich route that combines abandoned settlements with vast views of the Ionian Sea. The route leads through the former village of Skala, which was almost completely destroyed in the devastating earthquake of 1953. You walk past ruins of houses, old churches, and historical wells. There are various options. A popular circular route is about 9 to 10 km long and takes approximately 3 hours.

These are the ruins of an old church in Old Skala (Palia Skala), which was abandoned after the severe earthquake in 1953. However, today the area is coming back to life through tourism and new villas. The ruin, often referred to as "Old Skala Church", is a popular destination for hikers and excursionists, as it offers a wide view over the Ionian Sea to the neighboring island of Zakynthos. There are hiking routes that lead through the old village and past the ruins, often designed as circular routes.

The Mycenaean tholos tomb of Poros is the largest dome tomb (tholos) discovered so far in the Ionian Islands and Northwestern Greece. The tomb was built around 1350 BC and was used for royal burials until around 1100 BC. Due to its size and valuable finds, archaeologists suspect that an important Mycenaean center was located nearby. There is speculation that it could be the resting place of the legendary Homeric Odysseus, as the location and surroundings match descriptions from the Odyssey.

It is a privately built structure in the form of an ancient Greek theater, with a tennis court integrated in its center (the orchestra). From this point, there is a wide panoramic view over the Ionian Sea to the neighboring island of Zakynthos.

A beautiful hike, but please only follow the blue and white markings at the beginning. The route has changed. I followed the GPS at the beginning and walked through undergrowth and over fences without a path!

You can take a little walk here 🚶. It's beautiful here.👀