If you love mountain biking, you will love riding on the beautiful Greek island of Lesvos. Lesvos is a big island (the 3rd largest in Greece) yet it is one of the least discovered and retains an authentic feel. Cycling is the perfect way to get off the beaten track and immerse yourself in its traditions and culture. Out and about on two wheels you’ll be able to take in the sights at a slower pace. The island is home to a huge variety of birds and plants and has a wealth of unspoilt beaches, archaeological and religious monuments. The locals are super friendly, you’ll come across leafy town squares where old men sit for hours drinking coffee and playing back gammon and it’s not uncommon to see people still using donkeys to get around. The mountainous terrain means that there are literally hundreds of rides to discover. Here’s a few of our favourites, all start close to the bohemian village of Skala Eressos and the Neilson run Aeolian Village Beachclub in the south-west of the island.
Start: Turtle Bridge, Skala Eressos Finish: Turtle Bridge, Skala Eressos Distance: 14 kilometres Height gain: 218 metres Duration: 90 minutes Difficulty: Easy
This ride is a must do for anyone with basic cycling skills and is a great way to explore the area around the village of Skala Eressos. Just behind the beach to the right of the village is ‘Turtle Bridge’ (home to hundreds of terrapins) and the starting point for the ride.
From here you turn left onto a wide track which offers views of the surrounding countryside on both sides. Youthen ride along a dried-up river bed leading to a wide U-shaped valley with mountains on both sides. Follow the river bed track until it swings around a corner where you'll see a dam. It’s a good place to enjoy a breather, before a short climb (approx. 16%) on a concrete road to reach the top of the dam. On reaching the top you are rewarded with views of the mountains, a lake and a 15th Century monastery. The hard work in now over and the return journey back to Turtle Bridge is downhill all the way following the same route.
Start: Skala Eressos Finish: Mesotopos village Distance: 38 kilometres Height gain: 1144 metres Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes Difficulty: You’ll need a good level of fitness and be competent on a mountain bike
Setting of from sea level on tarmac roads there’s a gentle 3km climb on tarmac roads before you come to the turn off to Mesotopos. The road is lined with olive groves and small dwellings, before too long the road steepens as you start to ride through stunning mountain scenery, steadily gaining elevation on a series of switch backs. If you can take your eyes off the trail, you’ll see glimpses of the valley floor far below, there’s a lot of satisfaction in seeing just how far you’ve climbed!
After climbing for about 40 minutes you will reach a small, remote chapel. This is where the tarmac ends and the off-road begins. You’ll start a rapid descent into a lush green valley surrounded by steep mountains. The valley has seen some extensive flooding washing away a section of the track, so you’ll need to carry the bike for around 10 minutes along the dry river bed before getting back on your bike and re-joining the trail.
You then follow the river bed past a smattering of remote homesteads to the end of the valley, before a short, steep climb takes us up and over the ridge and gives the first views of Tavari. Head down the track into the village and harbour for a well-earned refreshment stop. You’ll need the break as the next part of the ride sees a punishing 10% climb in tarmac roads to the mountain village of Mesotopos and the highest point of the ride.
Start: Eressos Finish: Skala Eressos Distance: 50 kilometres Height gain: 1656 metres / average slope 8% Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes Difficulty: For competent mountain bikers
This is a long and technical mountain bike tour, it’s best to start out in the morning to take advantage of the cooler temperatures. The ride starts from the pretty hill town of Eressos (not to be confused with the beach town of Skala Eressos) with its traditional white buildings and terracotta roofs. Climbing out of the village the road steepens in a series of switch backs, which afford stunning mountain views to remote valleys with small homesteads dotted here and there. This road climbs steadily for about an hour when the monastery of Moni Ypsiloty first comes into view. The monastery, perched on top of a mountain is the highest on the island, one last final grind on steep switch backs brings you to the grounds of the monastery.
That’s the first 90 minutes of climbing done, so it’s a good time to stretch the legs and look around the monastery, there’s a viewing platform with stunning views of this part of the island. From here you can see Sigri 10 km in the distance and the next place to aim for on the ride.
This is also the highest point of the ride so it's nearly all downhill from here. The route takes you past the Petrified Forest, formed from fossilized remains of plants before arriving at Sigri, a little fishing village with a quaint harbour and taverna coffee stop. It’s a good place to refuel before heading out again through the mountains. This section of the ride is on rough tracks, contouring round the coast, before heading up a remote valley with a last glimpse of the monastery far of in the distance. There’s one final tough climb up to a ridge before a well-deserved downhill section on a fast stone track to Skala Eressos and a well-deserved lunch.
From gentle cruises through rural villages to coastal downhill thrills and challenging off-road routes.
Whether you’re an occasional Sunday rider, lycra-clad racer or love the challenge of an off-road adventure there’s a biking holiday for you.
Improve your cycle fitness and you’ll enjoy riding more, it’s as simple as that! You’ll be able to cover greater distancesand you’ll no longer be at the back of the pack.
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