Follow the Mountains : Greece - Day 34: Mountains and fire salamander

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Greece - Day 34: Mountains and fire salamander

I woke up to a bird's concert and although it was overcast, the weather didn't look too bad.

After a short way up, I had a beautiful panorama of the mountains. I stopped at the (locked) refugio for water, before I ascended steeply to the pass at around 2150 m. Before ascending, I saw three fire salamander, while following up a little creek.

When I was walking up, the clouds already came down into the mountains and I ended up in the fog once in a while. But I was still lucky, since most of the time the fog came and went, giving me great views of the area and most important, my way down through a few snow fields. Luckily the snow was soft and there were even tracks of other people, but it was cool and windy.

While I thought that one part is trailless,I discovered later on, that it is marked, but only for people going in the opposite direction. Not great but still very helpful! And the sun came out, which was nice.

I came to a road and descended over lots of switch backs, passing a cave with a memorialand two people on their way to see this cave (honestly not worth walking up all the way!). In Stromi I hit the E4 again and then it was a road walk. I listened to a podcast, so I totally missed, when the E4 turned off that road. I doubt there was a sign... Anyways, since the E4 parallels the road, I continued down to a bridge, where I could walk on ghe E4 again.

First it was steep up, then it was getting easier and following a ridge, walking through pastures and forest. Unbelievable, but the E4 was clearly to identify and follow! On my way I passed three turtles, all being busy with eating.

Already on the last bit, I watched the dark clouds above me and was kind of hoping for a few drops, giving me the excuse to set up my tent. Otherwise, it would be way to early! And really, just before hitting the big road again, there wee a few raindrops. I was still hesitant, as it was really just a few drops. But the following part would have been: large road, village and the end of the forest. So I decided to set up camp directly next yo the trail under a fir. Sadly, I can here the big road... Now it is raining quiet enough to feel not too bad about camping early and I am happily laying in my tent!

Let's see, qhich route I take tomorrow, since the weather is supposed to be bad the next days. I guess its not going to be much rain, but low clouds are not perfect for a ridge walk...