سالاكوس – دير النبي إلياس
Salakos – Prophet Elias Monastery
This route is of slight difficulty. The trail is built and begins from a steep face of the rock that lies above Salakos village, at an… altitude of 220 meters. There lay the sources of high the quality steel water, Nymph of Rhodes. The trail ends at the Monastery of Prophet Elias, at the altitude of 610 meters.
The route is approximately 650 meters, which crosses a landscape with dense vegetation, measuring 115 species, of which 20 are extremely rare and of unique beauty. Most notable of them grow in the spring, from mid-April to mid-May. Among the violets and orchids, one will have opportunity to gaze at rare native wildflower, called peonia. The vegetation grown throughout the years, starting from the rich oak and shrub forest, followed by a smooth ascent among cypress, mixed with a few pines.
Here, one can encounter the deer of Rhodes, called Platoni or Dama and Hawk Petritis. The area is a wildlife sanctuary and protected from the Natura 2000 program. On the way, you can enjoy the cool breeze of the mountains and the incomparable sea view.
Just before reaching the top, another Catholic monastery of the Archangel Michael, will catch your eye. And at the top, before the end of the path, the enchanting hotels “Elafos” and “Elafina” that were built in the 1930’s, will make you want to change your accommodation, if you are not already saying there.
Finally, for the most demanding nature lovers and those keen on walking, there are smaller paths, which are hidden among the woods, leading to monasteries, the water sources and the glades which will amaze the visitor.
