At the foot of Mount Attavyros, the summit of Rhodes

At 1,215m high and with its peaked summit covered in pebbles, it's impossible to miss Mount Attavyros, which dominates the whole of Rhodes. The contrast is striking between its green slopes, covered with pine forests, and its arid heights, where the limestone rocks are dotted everywhere with cushions of thorn bushes.

It's a must for hikers, as trails are rare on Rhodes: the ascent of Mount Attavyros promises magnificent, unobstructed views of the whole island, as well as of the other Dodecanese islands such as Karpathos, Chalki, Tilos and Symi, and the Turkish coastline: impressive. Along the way, you'll come across the ruins of an ancient temple: in Greek mythology, the Cretan Althemenes built an altar to Zeus on the summit of Mount Attavyros, so that he could see Crete. It's possible, but only on a very clear day!

Nestling in the foothills of Mount Attavyros, a stopover in the village of Embonas is a must. This large wine-growing village is ideal for a change from the seaside resorts of the Rhone Valley, where you can enjoy the fresh air at an altitude of 850m, as well as local specialities from traditional tavernas (sausages, grilled lamb, etc.). Along the way, try your hand at tasting some of the local vintages, both red and white, at the various wineries in the area.

Continuing down the slopes of Mount Attavyros towards the sea, we reach another spectacular site on the west coast of Rhodes: the Kritinia kastro. Like most of the fortresses dotted around the island, this castle was built by the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in the 15th century to protect themselves from the ever-pressing incursions of the Ottoman Turks.

Today, the walls of the Kritinia kastro still bear the crests of the Grand Masters of the Order. The ruins, perched on a rocky outcrop, still offer breathtaking views of the surrounding area: magnificent at sunset! Not far away on the coast, the small fishing village of Kamiros Skala has several fish tavernas, where you can eat with a view of the sea. It is said that this port was founded in Minoan times by Cretan settlers (which is where we find our own Althemenes!), as was the village of Kritinia nearby.

It is also the departure point for daily boat trips to Chalki, just 40 minutes away by boat. This small, charming, authentic, car-free island acts as a magnet for anyone seeking peace and quiet. Hikers will also love the island's paths and secret beaches. Chalki can be explored by the day, or even longer if you're a keen walker!

⛰️ Climbing Mount Attavyros

For the less courageous, there is a road that allows you to reach the summit by car. However, it is more worthwhile to make the ascent on foot. For the shorter version, the return path crosses the road just above the wind turbines, via the ruined Temple of Zeus. For the longer version (6h to 7h return), you can start from Embonas or Agios Isidoros.

⚠️ Although it's cooler than on the coast at an altitude of 1215m, there's not an ounce of shade on the limestone summit of Mount Attavyros: bring something to drink and protect yourself from the sun.

📅 When to climb Mount Attavyros?

In April-May, because it's in spring that this hike offers all its potential, with slopes still in bloom and beautiful clarity before the summer heat haze. The beautiful windless days of October are also recommended for maximum visibility and pleasant walking conditions.

🎟️ Excursion to Chalki from Rhodes

From the port of Kamiros Skala, the Nissos Halki boat makes the daily 40-minute trip to the island of Chalki. At the height of the season, there are 2 crossings a day, early in the morning and late in the afternoon. You can therefore stay for the day, or spend one (or more) nights here.

• ⏰ Timetable: varies according to the season.
• 👛 Fare: to be taken on site or online, €5 per crossing.

More information on the Nissos Halki website