There are two main routes up to the Old Town by foot. One is to walk up the main road from Patitiri to the Old Town and the other is to take the old Donkey Track. If you want the relative peace and solitude of a walk through the countryside then the Donkey Track is the obvious choice. However if you want some good photographs of Patitiri harbour and views out to sea then there is a certain sense in walking up the road while dodging the traffic. The walk up the Donkey Track takes about 45 minutes.
Up the Donkey Track - Route 1:-
This route goes from Patitiri Harbour along the back of the town beach and up the steps at the end signposted to the Museum. At the top of the steps turn left in front of the Museum and walk up the steep road past what is left of the Hotel Galaxy. At the end of the hotel either follow the road round or walk straight across the bit of land in front of you. Take the road to the right which is signposted "Paleohorafina" in Greek and goes upwards through the pine forest. After a short while you will walk past the Nereides Apartments on the left along with some other houses. Look out for an arrow to the "Old Town" on the left pointing up a concrete path. Take this path and it brings you out at the partly built house with the water tank in front of the garden area. The Donkey Track is straight ahead.
The first part of the Donkey Track is rubbly and very steep in parts but you will find seats along the way. About half way the Donkey Track is crossed by a dirt road where there is a sign pointing to the "Hora" to the Old Town. The Old Town is visible in the distance. Carry straight on and the floor surface changes to a new looking crazy paving. The track goes steeply uphill towards the end and meets the main road just before the turn to Megalos Mourtias beach.
Up the Donkey Track - Route 2:-
From Patitiri Harbour walk up Pelasgon (opposite end of the harbour from Ikion Dolopon) and keep walking until you have passed the shops. On the left hand side you will see a sign and an arrow pointing up the Old Town 1.7km up a track to the left. Walk up this track through the countryside and after a while you will see a house on the left hand side. Walk past the house and follow the track upwards. Eventually you will arrive at an unfinished house with a water tank in front of the garden area. The Donkey Track is to the right hand side of the house straight up the stone path.
Taking the Main Road:-
From Patitiri Harbour walk up Ikion Dolopon past the National Bank of Greece and keep going to the top of the road. Here you come to an area where the road widens and splits off in about six different directions. For the Old Town follow the road round to the left past the greengrocers shop and the Women's Cooperative shop. Cross the road and you will find two roads off to the right. The first goes up the island to Steni Vala and Gerakas while the next road goes up past the petrol station, the Hotel Atrium and the on to the Old Town. Don't forget to take the road to the left when you come to the T junction about half way between Patitiri and the Old Town.
