Route type: Two-way
Difficulty: 2/5 (Moderate)
Χρόνος πορείας: 1h
Length: 2,3km
Equivalent length: 4,4 km
Ascent: 164m
Descent: 125m
Maximum altitude: 1373m
Minimum altitude: 1209m
Drinking water: No
The Nosokomio Antarton (Rebels hospital) where this route ends was built and used by the rebels during the Civil War in 1945-1949. It is most obvious monument among the many built infrastructure which the Democratic Army of Greece left behind in the area of Mt Grammos.
It is located at the eastern gate of the Aliakmon gorge, lower from the passage of Portes. Part of the hospital services were provided in a cave, under the shade of the majestic rocks, at a narrow and well-hidden zone where the relief is mild and protected from the shootings and aircrafts.
The easiest way for the hiker to reach the area of Nosokomio Antarton cave is from Lianotopi. This beautiful trail goes uphill following gentle slope in the heart of a black pine forest. After a while, we arrive at the beginning of a forest track. Very soon, we find a forest openning on our right hand side where another smaller forest track goes downhill towards the entrance of the gorge. This small alley leads us to another plateau. There, we can see the ruins of some large buildings of the hospital. From this point, a very narrow and quite exposed earth path lead us to the largest of the caves used as treatment sites.
Route walkability
Distribution over
altitudinal zones
Elevation profile
Starting – ending point and maximum elevation
Tips
This hiking route has very few scattered marks on the rocks, some red stripes on the trees as well as some old signs. The length of it is 2.2 km starting from Lianotopi and ending at the large cave. The average duration of the hike is 1.30-2 h.
Comments
This is an easy and enjoyable route. Nevertheless, we need to have proper trail shoes for the last part and until we reach the cave since it’s on a steep and unstable terrain. There is no potable water along the trail and the fountain at Lianotopi is usually dry.