Lesvos (often called Lesbos, but the island authorities say the correct name is Lesvos) is one of our new destinations for 2004 and has been written by Brian and Eileen Anderson, the authors of several other books in the Landscapes series. Set to become the hottest new walking and bird-watching destination in the Mediterranean, Lesvos offers a stunning combination of natural and man-made landscapes to enjoy on foot or by car. It is a treasure house of very early ancient remains dating from the 7th century BC and boasts one of the finest natural monuments in Europe, the Petrified Forest, created 20 million years ago. Cloaked with forests of chestnut and oak, the island is a riot of flowers in spring, especially wild orchids. The island becomes a riot of flowers in the spring and is renowned for its wild orchids (as many as 65 species) and with its own special endemic, Ophrys lesbis.
Cloaked with forests of chestnut and oak, the hills and mountains are riddled with little known ancient trails and cobbled donkey paths, many of which form the walks featured in this new guidebook. Refreshingly free of high-rise hotels and beach-orientated tourism, Lesvos is seizing an opportunity to rediscover itself through ecotourism in its totally unspoilt countryside. Fascinating sites, often unprotected, allow you to do your own interpretation. Over the years, we have thoroughly enjoyed discovering new walks and exploring new parts of the island. Now we are ready to share them with you. Follow our footsteps into villages still steeped in an old way of life and into a countryside as beautiful as any in the Mediterranean. The car tours, too, show off the very best the island has to offer and will take you to some secret places we have shared with no one else - until now. - Brian and Eileen Anderson
Best months for walking: April, May, June, September, October.
Where to Stay:
East coast
Mytilene - a busy town with plenty of hotels, but not really a resort, and not where holidaymakers choose to stay. It is handy for people arriving and leaving by ferry or just in transit. There are three walks which can be reached using the local bus service, and there is not too much travelling to join walks in the Agiassos area.
Thermi - a small but pleasant resort just north of Mytilene town. There is one walk on the doorstep and, again, the walks around Agiassos are not so far away.
Central area
Molyvos, Petra, Anaxos - these three resorts lie close together on the north coast. Molyvos is full of character and the island's top resort, but the other two are actually better beach resorts. There are four walks immediately to hand with minimal transport requirements. Another four are spread around the Kalloni area and are fairly handy, as are most of the other walks if you're prepared to do a little more travelling.
Skala Kallonis - located at the head of the Gulf of Kalloni, this is just about the most centrally placed resort on the island. There are four walks available within a reasonably short distance and good access to most of the other walks.
Vatera - this south coast resort lies close to the mouth of the Gulf of Kalloni. It is best-known for its miles of beach and has two walks actually starting out from the beach. There is another walk close by and it has good access to the Agiassos walks, those from Melinda and those around Kalloni. Other walks are a little further afield, but still easily managed.
Ag Isidoros - another south coast resort, but lying east of Vatera. The Melinda walks are not too far away, and the Agiassos walks are reasonably available. Otherwise there is a fair bit of travelling from this resort.
West
Sigri and Skala Eressou - these two resorts are tucked away in the far west of the island. This side of the island is fairly remote from the bulk of the walks and the least convenient place to stay. There is just one walk which is close by and after that there is over an hour's driving to get to next nearest group of walks.
4 car tours, 51 long and short walks, 25 picnic suggestions
136 pages + touring map
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