The Marathon Stage will take place on Days 3 and 4, featuring routes of approximately 300 km per day.
The route will head towards the Nestos River, in the Drama region, and then continue into the Xanthi region, crossing the Rhodope mountain range along the border with Bulgaria. At the end of the first leg, we will arrive at the Erymanthos Forest Village, where we will set up camp for the night.
Refuelling will take place along the route at a designated point using fuel jerry cans, as there are no petrol stations along the mountain ridge.
For accommodation, participants will have two options:
– Camping in tents that we will carry ourselves — free of charge
– Wooden cabins, accommodating up to 5 people per cabin — €20 per person
Dinner will be served at the restaurant of the Forest Village, and a light breakfast will also be provided there the following morning.
Everyone who wishes to stay in a cabin, as well as those who prefer to camp in a tent, is kindly asked to inform the organisers in advance.
Second Leg of the Marathon Stage
On the return leg of the Marathon Stage, we will pass through the famous Ammolofoi Beach in Kavala. We will have a regrouping at Liquid Beach Bar, where participants will have the opportunity to eat, have a drink, and enjoy a swim before continuing our journey back to Serres.
The marathon does consists of 300km per day, total of 600km for the two days.
ERYMANTHOS FOREST VILLAGE
Erimanthos Forest Village is located in the mountainous area of the former municipality of Stavroupoli in the Prefecture of Xanthi (now the Stavroupoli Municipal Unit of the Municipality of Xanthi), within the Drymos Public Forest (Chaidou forest), at an altitude of 1,350 meters.
It consists of twelve (12) wooden, tile-roofed, self-catering cabins with two (2) rooms each and a total gross area of 65 sq.m., capable of accommodating 4-5 people each, as well as a smaller cabin for 2 people.
It was constructed in two phases by the Forest Directorate of Xanthi during the years 1991 – 92 and 2000 – 01, on land granted by the Prefecture of Xanthi, aiming to bring modern humans closer to the forest environment while also creating a space for recreation and environmental education.
When visiting the Forest Village, you can experience, among other things:
- The local waterfall (35 meters high), which is characterized as the largest in the Balkans, by following the forest path constructed by the Forest Service.
- The peak of Gyftokastro, at an altitude of 1,827m, offering a panoramic view toward neighboring Bulgaria. Access is via a marked 4 km trail that passes through Beech and Scots Pine forests.
- The Preserved Natural Monument, which consists of undisturbed stands of Beech trees.
- The arched bridge of Leonidas on the road to Arkoudorema, which was an important transport hub in the past.
- The Castle of Kalyva, a significant archaeological site in the area, featuring a panoramic view of the Nestos valley.
- The Macedonian Tomb in the municipal district of Komnina.
- The meanders of the Nestos River, viewed from the lookout point at the Imera settlement.
- The Folklore Museum of Stavroupoli and the Church of Evangelistria.
- The picturesque Pomak villages.
- The acidic peat bogs of the area.
Finally, if you have a 4×4 vehicle, you can wander through the wider mountainous region via the dense network of forest roads.
Erimanthos Forest Village Virtual tour 360
