Definitely our favourite Venetian Bridge

This is a tour from two years ago we made of the area. It is amazing how much better our new camera is. However, you do still get to see what the area looked like before the rains of the last two seasons.

From Roudia, I wanted to drive through the forest to the picnic site east of Pano Panagia. On the way I would pass the road that leads to a mine. I wanted to see if the gate that had been put there was still there.

Dammit. I didn't get anywhere near the clearing with the gate. A new gate had been constructed, near to the Roudia Bridge turning. There is no way I am walking all the way from here to the mine in this heat.

You may of course be wondering why the gates have been erected. It borders a conservation area, where the forestry commission is trying to encourage the growth of Cedars. I had noted at the previous gate, that (presumably) hunters had created tracks that circumvented some of the blockades that had been assembled. So the commission just put new gates in further up. You won't be able to drive round this gate, as there is a cliff to the right of it.

If you come across these gates and are not in a car, you are allowed to continue your walk along the track. I had this confirmed by the Forestry Commission. This is important to note, because at one point the E4 Long Distance European Path has a similar gate across it. Rest assured, you can still walk it.

So, that plan had to be abandoned. Instead, I continued up the track towards Vretsia, and took the next right, signposted for Panagia. Along the way, I stopped to take in the scenery.