SKOURTA
KILOMETERS
DURATION
ELEVATION
PROPOSED SEASON
DIFFICULTY
PHYSICAL CONDITION
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY
STARTING POINT
Author:
G. Koutrotsios
Photos:
V. Karalaios
ON THE PLATEAUS OF WESTERN PARNITHA
An easy route through the lesser-known western slopes of Mount Parnitha and the Dervenochoria region. The landscape consists of passable dirt roads with gentle gradients, small plateaus teeming with wildflowers in spring and mud in winter, charming chapels, and one of the last pristine pine forests in Attica.
INTRODUCTION
Skourta is the second-largest village of the Dervenochoria region, with around 750 inhabitants. It is built on the northwestern foothills of Parnitha at the edge of a small plateau. The area east of the village is characterized by gentle terrain, with low, forested hills and numerous small plateaus, which the villagers use for their crops.
A notable feature of the area is the dozens of sinkholes scattered across fields and at the bases of hills, which drain rainwater. In addition, several small chapels provide ideal rest stops, although none have water.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
The route starts in the center of Skourta village and initially heads east across the eponymous plateau toward the western slopes of Parnitha. It then descends through dense pine forests to the chapel of Panagia (Presentation of the Virgin), followed by a crossing of another small plateau amid fields and forested slopes.
After the 18th kilometer, the route loops around the peak “Rachi” (722 m), revealing the plateau and the settlement of Tsigourati, before returning to the main road leading back to Skourta village. Most of the route follows dirt roads with little or no gradient, making it relaxing despite its total length. There are no technical difficulties anywhere along the route, except for occasional puddles and mud during the winter months.
24.4 km.
ROAD
DIRTROAD
BAD DIRTROAD
PATH
24.4 km.
ROAD
DIRTROAD
BAD DIRTROAD
PATH
ROAD
BAD DIRTROAD
DIRTROAD
PATH
GALLERY
ROAD BOOK
| Distance between points | Total distance | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 |  |
Starting point: Church of Agios Athanasios, center of Skourta village. Head south toward Elefsina. |
| 0.1 | 0.1 |  |
At the first intersection, left, onto the middle of the three roads. |
| 3.2 | 3.3 |  |
At the end of the poorly passable dirt road, right onto a wide dirt road. |
| 0.8 | 4.1 |  |
At the first road, left. |
| 2.9 | 7.0 |  |
At the intersection with the orange water tank, left onto a secondary dirt road. |
| 0.3 | 7.3 |  |
At the only fork, left. |
| 0.6 | 7.9 | |
At the end of the road, right onto a gravel road. |
| 1.3 | 9.2 | |
At the intersection just before the chapel (Agios Dimitrios), left – uphill. |
| 1.6 | 10.8 | |
At the end of the road, right. |
| 0.3 | 11.1 | |
After the chapel (Agios Saranta), left – downhill. |
| 1.9 | 13.0 | |
At the fork, left – downhill (toward Agia Marina). |
| 0.5 | 13.5 | |
At the intersection with the fire water tank, left – downhill. |
| 0.3 | 13.8 |  |
At the end of the descent, right at the fork (stay on the same road). |
| 1.5 | 15.3 | |
At the end of the road, right toward the chapel (Panagia). |
| 4.3 | 19.6 |  |
At the end of the descent after the monument in memory of G. Panourgias, diagonal right onto a secondary dirt road. |
| 1.2 | 20.8 | |
At the end of the descent (chapel of Zoodochos Pigi), right onto the main dirt road. |
| 0.4 | 21.2 | |
At the fork, right onto a concrete road. |
| 2.7 | 23.9 | |
At the start of Skourta village, left at the fork. |
| 0.4 | 24.3 | |
At the end of the road, right to return to the starting point. |