Kerkis Mount Samos
Mount Kerkis called "the majestic mountain of Samos", we find it on the south west coast and occupies a large part of the center of the island. In the past it was a now extinct volcano that reaches a height of over 1440 meters.
Of whitish color thanks to the fact that it is mainly composed of marble, its interior is hollow with many holes that look like craters. Steep slopes, caves and fairy forests (it is one of the seven largest in Europe) Mount Kerkis is considered a nature reserve for many species of animals and plants, some in danger of extinction, so much so that it is part of the Natura 2000 project which deals with conserve natural habitats.
The highest peak is Vigla which reaches 1434 metres, the highest in the Aegean while the lowest are Mavro Stefani, Seitan Fterias, Menelaki and Kastri. On the origin of its name there are different versions, one which roughly means "belonging to Circe" the other because the air currents and the 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 attractions of Monte Kerkis is the Pythagoras Cave where the ancient mathematician and philosopher once lived to hide from the tyrant Polycrates before leaving for Crotone in Sicily. You can enjoy this marvel if you want even in the evening as it is illuminated and take part in a fantastic show. There are other caves present on the massif, such as the Panagia Makrini cave, Agia Triada, Kakoperato and Evangelistra as well as the cavities where the Byzantine ascetics from the 12th to the 16th century AD used to retire in prayer. In the 11th 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 three monasteries previously destroyed by Arab raiders. Do not miss the churches of San Giorgio Drakaion, Panagia Makrini dating back to the XII century with frescoes of rare interest and Agios Charalambos Kallithea also embellished with representations of the XVII century.
Going up from Marathokampos you pass through a grove of rare pines and after about two hours of walking you reach the Agio Ioannis Theologos chapel. Nearby above a hill surrounded by large boulders is a chasm expertly carved by Mother Nature with a perimeter of thirteen meters that almost looks like a well. This chasm is called "Tripa tou Panaretou" (tripa in Greek means hole) and takes its name from a man called Paneretou who lost his life by falling into it together with his companions. The story goes that Paneretou a priest, on the day of the feast of Agio Ioannis altered by the sweet nectar of Moscato, wanted to go into the abyss to find out what he was like but as soon as he got off, taken by vertigo he fell and died. His friends Giannis and Andreas, not hearing him anymore, decided to go down in turn to understand what had happened but they too, due to the loss caused by the height, met the same end, falling and losing their lives. The inside of this natural well is so mysterious that it inspires a certain fear in visitors especially if you try to throw a stone, the noises produced by the impact against the walls are really scary. It is also believed that the abyss communicates with the sea and that when there is a storm you can hear the moaning of the waves against the walls.
Continuing from Tripa Tou Paneretou, on the banks of a stream you will come across the Panagia Tou Hatzimanoli church in honor of the Virgin Mary and which takes its name from its builder. Large trees create a sort of roof, ivy and multi coloured bushes, the gurgling of the water and the chirping of birds make this place suitable for gathering one's thoughts and purifying the mind. At a quarter of an hour's walk through a very narrow path with a frightening precipice below (therefore only for trekking experts), there is a second cave called Panagia
Kakoperiatani which houses a small chapel inside where, due to the dripping of water, spectacular stalactites have been created that look like hanging bunches of grapes. It can be reached by going down twenty two steps carved into the rock.
Continuing you can reach the Vigla the highest point passing along the crest of the mountain. Its name derives from the small watchtower called precisely Vigla where the lookouts warned the inhabitants with signals of the arrival of enemy fleets. To date the ruins are still well preserved, but what is undoubtedly amazing is the panorama, you can see the Sporades Islands, Rhodes, the Cyclades, Mount Athos up to the Asia Minor mountains .
Definitely a stop for mountain lovers where you can get lost in wild and original nature and enjoy 360 degree views to better understand the beauty of this immense and eclectic island.