Nestos River Trail

Μετάφραση Greek Version

Nestos River Trail

During the construction of the railway line connecting Toxotes to Stavroupolis, several tunnels were constructed along the banks of River Nestos, as well as a scenic trail along the river to ease the transport of goods and human resources. This scenic trail is 23,3 km long and takes you through some of the most inspiring scenery in Northern Greece. The trail brings you in touch with the heritage of the region and offers a number of activity options. Hiking is perfect for all ages possible year around. Hiking the Nestos River Trail will take you back in time and introduce you to the magic of the river’s nature. The river which flows just a few meters away is home to various predatory birds and the steep cliffs at its side offer the ideal nesting place for many rare birds such as herons, eagles and vultures. Farther into the forest, you may see wild horses.

The hike starts near the village of Galani and ends at Stavroupoli, following the river’s east bank. It is a fairly easy 7-8-hour hike and traverses a largely abandoned railway including several tunnels and railway bridges. You should keep in mind that the railway is still being used by infrequent cargo-trains so extreme caution is needed. Hiking this trail, you will need a torch for the dark tunnels, plenty of water and sturdy shoes as most of the hike is on sharp rocks.

The trail is broken into three lengths of varying degrees of difficulty, so your ideal hike can be tailored to your wishes. The starting point for the first leg is near the village of Galani. The trail runs along the train tracks and is well preserved and marked. It descends in places at the level of the railway line and then ascends again a few tens of meters higher. It gradually enters a ravine, following it up to the abandoned village of Kromniko. The ups and downs are mild and along the way, small descending pathways lead to the river where sandy beaches can be found. This leg is probably the most scenic of the three as it runs along the river.