Mount Kerkis called “themajestic mountain of Samos”, we find it on the south west coastand occupies a large part of the center of the island. In the past itwas a now extinct volcano that reaches a height of over 1440 meters.

Of whitish color thanks tothe fact that it is mainly composed of marble, its interior is hollowwith many holes that look like craters. Steep slopes, caves and fairy forests (it is one of the seven largest in Europe) Mount Kerkis isconsidered a nature reserve for many species of animals and plants,some in danger of extinction, so much so that it is part of theNatura 2000 project which deals with conserve natural habitats.

The highest peak is Vigla which reaches 1434 metres, the highest in the Aegean while the lowestare Mavro Stefani, Seitan Fterias, Menelaki and Kastri. On the originof its name there are different versions, one which roughly means”belonging to Circe” the other because the air currents andthe strong winds that blow hitting the slopes emit strange noises.From Vigla the view is to leave speechless how beautiful it is,spanning the whole Aegean as well as the islands surrounding Samos.

One of the major attractionsof Monte Kerkis is the Pythagoras Cave where the ancientmathematician and philosopher once lived to hide from the tyrantPolycrates before leaving for Crotone in Sicily. You can enjoy thismarvel if you want even in the evening as it is illuminated and takepart in a fantastic show. There are other caves present on themassif, such as the Panagia Makrini cave, Agia Triada, Kakoperatoand Evangelistra as well as the cavities where the Byzantine asceticsfrom the 12th to the 16th century AD used to retire in prayer. In the11th century AD it was an important center of monastic life. Here St.Paul the Younger of Latro moved from Asia to retire to the Pythagoras Cave and many monks followed him, helping him to rebuild threemonasteries previously destroyed by Arab raiders. Do not miss thechurches of San Giorgio Drakaion, Panagia Makrini dating back to theXII century with frescoes of rare interest and Agios Charalambos Kallithea also embellished with representations of the XVII century.

Going up from Marathokamposyou pass through a grove of rare pines and after about two hours ofwalking you reach the Agio Ioannis Theologos chapel. Nearby above ahill surrounded by large boulders is a chasm expertly carved byMother Nature with a perimeter of thirteen meters that almost lookslike a well. This chasm is called “Tripa tou Panaretou” (tripa in Greek means hole) and takes its name from a man calledPaneretou who lost his life by falling into it together with hiscompanions. The story goes that Paneretou a priest, on the day of thefeast of Agio Ioannis altered by the sweet nectar of Moscato, wantedto go into the abyss to find out what he was like but as soon as hegot off, taken by vertigo he fell and died. His friends Giannis andAndreas, not hearing him anymore, decided to go down in turn tounderstand what had happened but they too, due to the loss caused bythe height, met the same end, falling and losing their lives. Theinside of this natural well is so mysterious that it inspires acertain fear in visitors especially if you try to throw a stone, thenoises produced by the impact against the walls are really scary. Itis also believed that the abyss communicates with the sea and thatwhen there is a storm you can hear the moaning of the waves againstthe walls.

Continuing from TripaTou Paneretou, on the banks of a stream you will come across thePanagia Tou Hatzimanoli church in honor of the Virgin Mary and whichtakes its name from its builder. Large trees create a sort of roof,ivy and multi coloured bushes, the gurgling of the water and thechirping of birds make this place suitable for gathering one’sthoughts and purifying the mind. At a quarter of an hour’s walkthrough a very narrow path with a frightening precipice below(therefore only for trekking experts), there is a second cave calledPanagia

Kakoperiatani whichhouses a small chapel inside where, due to the dripping of water,spectacular stalactites have been created that look like hangingbunches of grapes. It can be reached by going down twenty two stepscarved into the rock.

Continuing you can reach theVigla the highest point passing along the crest of the mountain. Itsname derives from the small watchtower called precisely Vigla wherethe lookouts warned the inhabitants with signals of the arrival ofenemy fleets. To date the ruins are still well preserved, but what isundoubtedly amazing is the panorama, you can see the SporadesIslands, Rhodes, the Cyclades, Mount Athos up to theAsia Minor mountains .

Definitely a stop formountain lovers where you can get lost in wild and original natureand enjoy 360 degree views to better understand the beauty of thisimmense and eclectic island.