Mountain Trails // Helleborous - Anopaia - Farmaki...
Mountain Trails // Helleborous - Anopaia - Farmakides
The landscapes surrounding Lamia are magnificent! A paradise on earth for those who love mountain activities and nature lovers. Many exciting mountain trails offer a variety of options, each with its own unique charm and beauty. Through dense forests, green slopes and impressive waterfalls the mountain routes vary from the easiest to the most challenging, all rewarding you with stunning images and unique experiences. Along the trails, you will also come across sites of archaeological interest and traditional mountain villages, highlighting the region's rich history and cultural heritage.
The 16.2 km route of Helleborous was named after the Helleboruscyclophyllus plant which grows in the glades of the mountain forests. It is the only kind of Helleborous growing in Greece. Itslight yellow-green flowers appear in early spring as soon as the snow melts, creating an enchanting image in the natural environment. Despite its beauty, it is a poisonous plant and was once used by medical practitioners for healing purposes. The legend says that the Farmakides, powerful witches of the area, used the Helleborous plant to make a “love potion”. The "HelleborousHalf Marathon" is part of the "Hercules Mountain Marathon” since 2012.
The smaller trail of Farmakides extends for a distance of about 6.4 kilometers and has a positive height difference of about 360 meters. It is named after Farmakides, women of the area who believed that practiced magic during the medieval period. The trail was designed to introduce novice runners to the particularities of mountain racing and is also part of the "Hercules Mountain Marathon”.
Anopaia Atrapos was a rugged path, a secret passage starting from the gorge of Asopos, almost 1000 metres high in the mountain of Kallidromos and parallel to the river Sperchios ended to the Thermopylae straits. Through this passage, the traitor Efialtis led the Persian army and ambushed Spartan King Leonidas during the 480 BC Thermopylae battle.Today, the Anopaia Atrapos Race, with participants from all over the world, is an important event in the world of mountain racing.
Whether you prefer trekking alone or in organized groups, exploring these trails will provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with nature and experience unforgettable moments!