A mountain of rare forests and hidden lakes
Oaks stretch as far as the eye can see. This dense and exceptional forest shelters abundant wildlife, including wild boar and roe deer, as well as woodpeckers and nuthatches. Flowing streams, seasonal lakes, plateaus, ravines, and peaks complete the landscape. Telethrio is a remarkable mountain that remains relatively unknown as a hiking destination, largely due to the extensive network of dirt roads crisscrossing it. Nevertheless, many old trails climb its slopes, and efforts to mark them are currently underway.
The most beautiful hiking route starts from the seaside village of Ilia, ascending to the Monastery of Agios Georgios and then passing by the Svales, the two lakes formed in the mountain’s plateaus. These lakes will surprise you not only with their existence but also with their rich aquatic vegetation and the vibrant ecosystems they support.
You can return to Ilia via an alternative path that takes you past the stunning Dafnokouki waterfalls—first the large one, followed by smaller cascades closer to Ilia. In both spots, natural pools are formed where you can take a refreshing swim.
The entire route is approximately 15 km long. If that seems too much, you can break it into smaller sections. For example, the large waterfall is 4 km from Ilia, the smaller waterfalls less than 1.5 km, and the Monastery of Agios Georgios 3 km. To reach Gimno Peak, with its spectacular views, the trail is about 5 km and passes through dense forest. In any case, it’s advisable to hike accompanied by experienced guides or members of local clubs—here, the Telethrion to Syskion Association is active in organising such excursions.
The most beautiful hiking route starts from the seaside village of Ilia, ascending to the Monastery of Agios Georgios and then passing by the Svales, the two lakes formed in the mountain’s plateaus. These lakes will surprise you not only with their existence but also with their rich aquatic vegetation and the vibrant ecosystems they support.
You can return to Ilia via an alternative path that takes you past the stunning Dafnokouki waterfalls—first the large one, followed by smaller cascades closer to Ilia. In both spots, natural pools are formed where you can take a refreshing swim.
The entire route is approximately 15 km long. If that seems too much, you can break it into smaller sections. For example, the large waterfall is 4 km from Ilia, the smaller waterfalls less than 1.5 km, and the Monastery of Agios Georgios 3 km. To reach Gimno Peak, with its spectacular views, the trail is about 5 km and passes through dense forest. In any case, it’s advisable to hike accompanied by experienced guides or members of local clubs—here, the Telethrion to Syskion Association is active in organising such excursions.
