01. Delphi - Prophet Ilias monastery - Amfissa
The first daily stage of the Pindus Trail connects the town of Delphi to Amfissa via the monastery of Profitis Elias through the ancient olive groves.
19.4
km
Open stage / Passability improvement works pending / P.T. temporary marking / Information marking pending.
The daily section, connects the historic Delphi with the important centre of Fokida, Amfissa.
Most of the route develops on the southwestern flanks of Parnassos and the Krissaion field, offering viewpoints in the genuine Mediterranean landscape of the wider area and a hiking journey through the long history of the place.
Starting from Delphi, the route ascends from the ancient cobbled "Staircase" to the highlands, revealing the Delphic landscape and the sturdy construction of the stairway, which has remained unchanged in time for 3,000 years.
Reaching the highest passage of the route, the path moves with gentle manoeuvres through a woodland of holly and cedar trees, where we find successive panoramic viewpoints towards the rest of Parnassos, Giona, Krissaion Gulf, and the villages in the plain of the ancient olive grove.
From 1,070 meters the trail loses altitude to drop to the boundaries of the monastery, where the small lake (Loutsa) is located and even lower the monastery of Profitis Ilias at an altitude of 530 meters. The monastery has an important history as it dates back to 1019. It was a base for the beginning of the revolution in 1821 in Roumeli. Nowadays it hosts nuns and is kept in a very good condition.
In the monastery we find a fountain with drinking water, and there are regulations regarding visiting hours.
The path continues for a little over 2 km from the monastery until it meets the dirt road that leads to the ancient olive grove with 1,200,000 trees. The olive grove extends to the coast and differs in altitude only a few meters from sea level.
Very close to the eastern entrance of the olive grove we find a recent excavation of an ancient Mycenaean tomb.
Crossing part of the olive grove on a rural dirt road, the route meets the provincial road Amfissa - Itea.
The road is a dual carriageway so traffic is on the edge of the asphalt road until the pedestrian crossing and the pavement at the central entrance to the town, with its characteristic roundabout.
From the intersection a straight line, walking along the pavement of Salona Avenue, leading to the central square of the town.
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