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The climb to Methana's Volcano that is! After all it is not
every day that you will have a chance to visit a real volcano, even though
it has been dormant for over two thousand years. The volcano erupted in 273 BC and was said to be four times bigger than Vesuvius. The only action that is visible now is the sulphur that bubbles up through the water creating the mineral baths close to the port and on the North of the peninsular. The whole area is a mass of rock and lava but the North Eastern flows are the easiest to find, probably the most accessible and well worth a visit. Methana is not abundant with too many roads so directions to the site are not so difficult. As you pass the sulphur baths and enter the town you can find a map just as the road forks. Use the map by all means, but you should take the left fork, and after about two hundred metres turn left again at the sign for the volcano. Continue straight on this road in the direction of "Kaimeni Kratiras". At the end of the road is a well marked footpath. Stout shoes are recommended rather than slip on or flip flops. The path winds up the side of the crater with some stunning views toward Agistri and Epidavros. |
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You can't help but feel that you are walking on a giant honeycomb as your feet crunch on the red pumice stone which had been scattered as far as you can see. At the summit is the crater and a cave which looks very much like an old blow hole. The surrounding area is rich with the evidence of the power that was once unleashed as the rock was pushed and distorted into incredible angles and positions. Now trees and plants cling to the surface gathering what nourishment they can. |  |
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