Hiking Lemonodasos – top activities around Poros

Hiking Lemonodasos Poros (the lemon tree grove on the Peloponnese, which administratively belongs to Poros Island) is one of our favourite activities at Live-Bio, and one of the top activities to do around Poros. It combines a relaxed hike with beautiful views of the Aegean Sea and an appreciation of the Mediterranean flora. And, it is located only a 10 minutes walk from our doorstep.

Is it worth hiking Lemonodasos Poros?

Locals told us that in the 60s and 70s there were boatloads of visitors coming to Lemonodasos. They also said that the lemon groves are not what they used to be and that the hike is not really worth it. We decided to find out for ourselves and, as always, reality is somewhere in the middle. Therefore, we will start with the negative aspects because we genuinely believe that the positives outnumber them.

Part of the problem may be in the name (the direct translation of Lemonodasos in Greek is lemon tree forest) and the expectations that it builds. There is definitely no forest to be found and there are a lot more plants other than lemon trees. In our opinion, that is a good thing!

The lemon tree groves are located inside private properties, so most land is fenced. However, there are several paths that provide reach to most of the area, from the seaside all the way up Mount Aderes.

Yes, it is indeed!

Hiking Lemonodasos offers a splash of natural colours in a land supporting any tree that can survive the summer heat: olive trees, bougainvilleas, walnut trees, gum trees, pommegranates, vines and, of course, citruces (lemons, oranges, mandarins, and bergamots). Smell the sweet leaves, touch the rough trunks, savour the organically cultivated fruits and enjoy the complexity of mother nature.

It is incredible how modern life has brought us so much closer to many fruits but so much further away from the nature that produces them. Hiking Lemonodasos can be quite rewarding in that sense, allowing you to experience first hand the natural ecosystem that produces a lot of the fresh fruit and vegetable that we consume in our everyday life.

Lastly, one of the gems of Lemonodasos is the abandoned restaurant of Kardasis. I remember visiting it in its heyday, about 20 years ago, when there was no power line reaching there, and therefore all the food was grilled and all the veggies fresh. The soft drinks were warm but the lemonade, produced by the nearby trees, would quench anyone’s thirst after the hike. Today, the restaurant stands as if in a time warp, a carcass of memories frozen in time, waiting for the ghosts of its former patrons to come and dine again.

 

Important note: if you visit the abandoned restaurant, please respect the property. Due to numerous acts of theft and pilferage, trespassers are not allowed, so please visit with utmost consideration and respect.