THE PANGEO MOUNTAIN
The majestic and mythical mountain of Pangeo is easily reached from our small hotel in Eleftheres. Here you can visit charming villages, enjoy a good meal in a local taverna or go for a walk in a stunning scenery.Recently, when several small municipalities around the mountain were joined to become one, the new name naturally had to be Municipality of Pangeo. According to mythology, Pangeo was the birth place of the Greek god of wine Dionysus. His cult was very strong in this area and the wine making has traditions back to that time. Today you´ll be able to get great Greek wine under the label Region of Pangeo, not to mention that here also are many quality wineries, most of them open for visitors who wants to test the Pangeo wines.
In ancient Greece, the mountain was also known for its rich sources of gold. It was from these gold mines that Alexander the Great got the fortune he needed to take out and conquer the world. Driving up to the Dasiko Horio, a small hotel and restaurant half way up the Pangeo, taking the road from Akrouvouni, you´ll be able to see the entrance to one of the ancient mines. Visiting Dasiko Xorio will also give you an amazing view over the fields of Philippi to the ancient Philippi with its acropole. You can have a coffee or an ice cream here, but the restaurant does not serve good food - for lunch better to drive back down to the foot of the mountain to eat at the simple, but good taverna Dyo Vryses under the century old platan trees. The egg shaped peak of Pangeo is at 1956 meters above sea level. The mountain with its lush forest and beautiful rivers, waterfalls and small lakes offers several different walking routes, from very easy to challenging.
It is also possible to continue up to the peak and then continuing down on the other side to the village of Nikisianni - you can break up the route and spend the night in a mountain shelter. For longer trips we recommend hiring a mountain guide. We co-operate with certified, officially authorized mountain guides that have great local knowledge and are educated in first aid.
Even a short walk along this path is beautiful - and child friendly. How about a pick nick at a river, just outside the village?
In the slopes of Pangeo, you´ll also find many monasteries - several are open for visitors. Here are also beautiful, traditional villages curled up under the mountain. We love to visit Palaiochori, and go for a walk in the chestnut village above the village or walk up to the ancient fortress - followed by a stroll and a drink in the village itself. Other villages worth visiting are Nikisianni, Mesoropi and Moustheni.
A visit to Palaichori og Nikisianni can be combined with a visit to the winery of Microchori, a trip to Drama or the Alistrati caves. When visiting the winery of Biblia Chora you can make a stop on the way in Mesoropi or Mousthei - or any of the other small Pangeo villages that you´ll pass on your way.
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A good starting point can be the village of Mesoropi. From here there is a steep, but good path up to a cave, on 1200 meters above sea, with a source that creates a small pound where you can have a refreshing dip.
