Trails

Trails

Chata Plesnivec: A Mild Hike in High Tatras

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

The trail to Chata Plesnivec is one of the “short”, albeit pleasing, trails in High Tatras. The fact that its biggest part cuts through dense forest makes it the perfect route for the, often harsh, Slovak summer days. As a bonus, its moderate length and low elevation gain mean it’s a great trail for kids,…

Strbske Pleso: Slovakia’s Most Astonishing Glacial Lake

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

On the mouth of Mlynicka valley, at the foothills of west High Tatras, rests Slovakia’s most popular mountain retreat, the glacial lake of Strbske or Strbske Pleso as it is widely known. Surrounded by huge Norway spruces and tall firs, with the bright red September pomes of an occasional rowan tree popping out of the…

Heat Stroke: How Not To Turn Holidays Into a Nightmare 

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

An early heat wave that hit Greece last June has claimed five lives, including the famous British journalist Michael Mosley, and with another three people missing the death toll may rise. Sadly, it is not the first time that tourists have lost their lives due to hyperthermia, one of the most tragic being the death…

Hiking The Scenic Chopok Loop in Low Tatras

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

When it comes to hiking in Slovakia, people tend to overlook the Low Tatras in favor of their more adventurous and popular siblings, the High Tatras. The Slovakian mini Alps indeed have an appeal to hikers and mountaineers because of their way steeper and more demanding peaks. But, the Low Tatras have also much to…

Olympus: Trails of the Mythical Mountain

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

Known by everyone and roamed by few, the legendary Mt. Olympus may not be a popular destination, but it is one of the few big mountains in Europe where, at least on weekdays, one can still hike in peace and quiet, away from the big crowds. The mythical mountain and alleged home of the Greek…

Hiking the Alluring Kionia – Profitis Ilias Trail in Cyprus

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

Deep in the heart of Cyprus and away from its blazing coastal line, the luxuriant forest of Machairas thrives against the arid climate of the subtropical Mediterranean island. Especially known to the Christian world for the homonymous monastery that was built there in the 12th century, this eastern part of Troodos mountain range is uniquely…

High Tatras: The Winter Trail to Teryho Chata

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

Deep in the Small Cold valley, resting at the edge of a cirque, Teryho chata has been weathering the abrupt summer storms and blinding winter blizzards of High Tatras for more than a century. Built in 1899, by the Hungarian Carpathian Association, this mountain refuge was named after the doctor and avid climber Edmund Tery,…

Zelene Pleso: A fun trail on High Tatras

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

Zelene pleso means “green tarn” and that’s exactly the hue of its crystal clear waters. Located at the end of Bielej Vody valley, this small mountain lake is surrounded by towering peaks that soar one kilometer high above the valley, casting their long shadows on its floor for the biggest part of the day. On…

Hiking in High Tatras: Popradske Pleso And Koprovsky

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

Every year, the missus and I try to tick off at least one summit from our bucket list. Last time, since we love the High Tatras, we decided to go for Gerlakovsky—Slovakia’s highest peak. But life is what happens to us while making other plans, and as we were organizing the whole thing a pregnancy…

Madari Circular Trail in Cyprus

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

Madari circular trail is in my humble opinion the most beautiful trail in Cyprus. It starts just outside the village of Kyperounta in eastern Troodos Mountains and follows a well signed 13km trail with approximately 650m elevation gain through some of the most beautiful sceneries the island has to offer. Its average difficulty shouldn’t pose…

Chata Plesnivec: A Mild Hike in High Tatras

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

The trail to Chata Plesnivec is one of the “short”, albeit pleasing, trails in High Tatras. The fact that its biggest part cuts through dense forest makes it the perfect route for the, often harsh, Slovak summer days. As a…

Strbske Pleso: Slovakia’s Most Astonishing Glacial Lake

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

On the mouth of Mlynicka valley, at the foothills of west High Tatras, rests Slovakia’s most popular mountain retreat, the glacial lake of Strbske or Strbske Pleso as it is widely known. Surrounded by huge Norway spruces and tall firs,…

Heat Stroke: How Not To Turn Holidays Into a Nightmare 

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

An early heat wave that hit Greece last June has claimed five lives, including the famous British journalist Michael Mosley, and with another three people missing the death toll may rise. Sadly, it is not the first time that tourists…

Hiking The Scenic Chopok Loop in Low Tatras

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

When it comes to hiking in Slovakia, people tend to overlook the Low Tatras in favor of their more adventurous and popular siblings, the High Tatras. The Slovakian mini Alps indeed have an appeal to hikers and mountaineers because of…

Olympus: Trails of the Mythical Mountain

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

Known by everyone and roamed by few, the legendary Mt. Olympus may not be a popular destination, but it is one of the few big mountains in Europe where, at least on weekdays, one can still hike in peace and…

Hiking the Alluring Kionia – Profitis Ilias Trail in Cyprus

By Chrisostomos Kamberis

Deep in the heart of Cyprus and away from its blazing coastal line, the luxuriant forest of Machairas thrives against the arid climate of the subtropical Mediterranean island. Especially known to the Christian world for the homonymous monastery that was…