Poros area

Just found some old trip information if of interest to anyone

Poros area Trip

From Argostoli area take the southern coast road past signposts to Lourdata, Katelios, Skala through the mountain villages of Markopoulo and Pastra you will then head further inland under the eastern end of the Einos mountain. From there follow the signs towards the Poros gorge and Poros itself where our trip will begin.

From the Sami and Aghia Efhemia area take the main road out of Sami heading over the hills into Argostoli and just past the Pericles Hotel (which is on the right), turn left towards Poros driving past Zervata, Kaulourata and Agh. Nikolaos until you reach the Poros Gorge and Poros signs.
If you like some peace and quiet and some pleasant unusual scenery turn of the road from Sami to Poros at a signpost for Avithos lake and follow the dirt track for a few 100 meters until you arrive at a small parking spot. Walk down the dirt track opposite for about 100 Meters you will eventually find a wire fence follow this around until a hole appears where you can perch on a couple of rocks and view Avithos lake itself which I have to say always looking far prettier on photos than the reality of the situation when you are there, but still a worthwhile experience for natural beauty lovers. Islanders used to believe the lake to be bottomless.

As you approach the Poros gorge there is a small signpost saying Monastery Atros Situated 5 kilometers above the town of Poros is the Monastery of Virgin Mary of Atros. It is located on Mount Atros, at an altitude of 760 meters above sea level, overlooking Poros, this is the oldest monastery in Kefalonia.
The dirt track is on your left (note this track is best suited to the adventurous in a 4WD but gives glorious views of Poros and the Southern Kefalonia coast) drive through the farmyard area and follow the very bumpy dirt track road uphill for the next 4.5 Kilometers passing by an Ariel mast at about half height, take it steady as the road is very rough with small boulders ect. The road however is accessible so please persevere, you might start to feel a little remote but the views looking down over Poros more than make up for the rough track you are driving on. You will eventually turn the final bend and be greeted with the site of the new pavilion for the monastery which is still being built and the original monastery of the Virgin Mary Of Atros. Visitors are often welcomed by people working on the pavilion and shown around the monasteries churches with a brief explanation to the history of the place of which there is a lot as it is the oldest monastery on the island dating back to the 8th century. The actual fortress built at the Monastery to withstand these constant attacks and protect the monks and valuables has been classed as the oldest standing building on Kefalonia - well worth a visit for those adventurous enough to go off the beaten track .The monastery is still being used by the locals and on the Sunday we were there a baptism had just took place. We took it carefully on the way up as the road dictated but there were some locals who descended the road in their normal cars at a frightening pace. Once at the monastery you are free to walk the grounds and enjoy the spectacular panorama of Poros and the local coastline from a birds eye perspective.

After you have descended from the track turn left and continue towards Poros you will almost immediately enter the Poros Gorge where you will be surrounding by high cliffs which provide a nice shaded spot out of the direct sun in the height of Summer with a dried out river bed below which I am told turns into a flowing torrent in the Winter months.

After emerging from the gorge you will soon be in Poros town itself where you can park up near the front overlooking the town beach and go for a well deserved drink or two !! especially if you have just come down from the monastery. Often people drive through here going straight on past the port and back towards Skala missing Poros resort area totally. Instead of turning right and following around towards the port turn left and you will come to Poros resort itself with a great long beach backed behind the road with numerous bars , tavernas and accommodation of all standards. This makes a great stop for a cool swim and some sunbathing on a mainly sandy beach which shelves slowly into the sea.
For the return trip follow the road past the Port of Poros and climb the road up around the headland then follow the coast road until you reach Skala (see Skala trip for more detail) and take the roads back to the main southern coast road.