Report of the 2nd maintenance hike

Arni circular

Text: Kimon Zafiropoulos, Katerina Pantazi
Photos/video: Antonis Sassalos, Olga Karagianni
Translation into English: Katerina Pantazi

On the sunny and cool morning of Sunday, January 26, at 11 am, 11 adults, a 2-year-old baby and 3 dogs gathered at the church of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Balaion in Arni. After the usual introduction, with a tangerine to welcome us, we began our walk on Route 11. After a few minutes of walking through the village, we reached the beginning of our circular Arni route.

Equipped with pruning shears, saws and garbage bags, we began the hike into the forest. Our first stop was the chapel of Agios Giorgis in Panochori, where we took a quick break to enjoy the sun and the view. We continued our journey through a wooded landscape, with impressive centuries-old trees, while we crossed streams and springs to reach the highest farms of the village.

At an altitude of 500m, the kingdom of nature is captured in images that talk to the heart of the hiker. The streams and springs impress with their waters, while the dense forest revitalizes body and spirit, offering incredible experiences.

Passing a stable with a bull, huts, cisterns and freshly sown fields that testify to the rural character of the area, we were allowed to enjoy the view and gaze at the northern Aegean. For a while, we went out onto a dirt road that soon led us back to the path and into the forest.

Approaching the end of the route, we reached the traditional stone arched bridge of Epaminondas. A verdant bridge, green due to the vegetation but also due to the slate with which it is made, this Andriotic stone with its characteristic green hues. We stopped for a while and listened to all the sounds of nature, the birds and the running water, we smelled all the scents of the ravine, the freshness and the vegetation that unfolded before us.

Our hike ended where it began, in the village square, between the church and the old school – today is the headquarters of the Cultural Association of Arni. There, volunteer Kimonas Zafeiropoulos treated us to hot tea and apple pie before we left with the hope of meeting again for the next maintenance hike on Saturday, February 1st.

During the maintenance hike, we collected trash, cleaned up leaves and branches, and even cut down a large branch blocking the path.

We thank everyone who participated in the maintenance hike and Kimonas for the wonderful treat!