The Aghios Ioannis Detis Peninsula & Cape Korakas Hike
A 7-8 km walk with a touch of hiking into the rugged Aghios Ioannis Detis peninsula in the bay of Naoussa. Unique rock formations, golden-sanded beaches and great views to the round bay and the wide ocean on the island’s northernmost point. Great as a sunset walk – can be expanded along the coastline of Kolimbithres and up Koukounaries Hill for more majestic views, crazy rock formations and prehistoric ruins.
Level: Easy
Description
We meet at Paros Environmental Park and start our hike at the courtyard of the 17th c. Aghios Ioannis Detis Monastery -the cells of which are now converted into a maritime cartography museum- exploring the monastery premises and enjoying great views to the bay of Naoussa and the rocky peninsula. We continue walking past the golden-sanded Monastiri beach, popular with tourists in July & August but rather quiet most evenings. We start wandering around the clear, sign-posted trails through the granite and ‘gneiss’ (schist) boulders, eroded by centuries of exposure to the wind & the salt, and continue on a rocky trail above the wilder NW shore with impressive ocean and cliff-side views until we reach the “Vounali tis Sternas”, a ‘belvedere’ on the granite peak of the peninsula’s tallest hill, with panoramic views to the bay of Naoussa, the open sea and the islands of Naxos, Syros, Tinos and Mykonos. After that, we walk along the shore line on an NE-E direction to Cape Tourkos, just by the calm, crystal waters of Naoussa bay. At Tourkou Ammos (‘the Turk’s Sands’) we find a great spot for a refreshing dip (weather permitting)! Then it’s back on the trails on hillsides covered in purple sea lavender and white thyme (at its most fragrant in springtime) At the old lighthouse, we pause for a picnic/snack break, and enjoy the wild beauty of the rocky shores around us… and probably the best sunset on Paros!
After that, we continue along an unmarked path to the Rock Park (just a bit of scrambling there!) to admire enormous granite rocks sculpted by wind and corrosion. We complete our circular route in the Paros Environmental Park descending to Monastiri beach and then either return to our vehicles or catch the ‘caique’ (wooden ferry boat) back to Naoussa port (in summer months).
An extended version (+3km, +1h) of this tour could include a guided visit to the iconic Kolymbithres beach further along Naousa bay, as well as sporty hill climbing/scrambling on spectacular granite boulders to the top of Koukounaries hill (80m) to find the remains of a prehistoric settlement (Mycenean acropolis) and panoramic views to the bay below!
Questions or more info? Ask here.
In a nutshell [Unique sights by the sea] Views/sights/geology, easy, distance 7-8 km, elevation 70 m, duration 3-4h (incl. stop for sea dip!).