FROM ATHENS / FROM KALAMATAPhotographs FROM KOPANAKI 45 minutes 25 kilometres
- When leaving Kopanaki follow the one way system around the central square, over the unused railway line until you reach the last shop on your right hand side. This is a butchers that sells fresh souvlaki and sausages for grilling at The Ark, plus local pasta, feta cheese and wine.
- Opposite the butchers is a tower of signsu to, amongst other places, 'Platania / Waterfall Neda' (Neda waterfalls).
- Turn left at the signs, then immediately right at the next junction to start the final leg of your journey into the Nomian mountains, the pastures of Pan.
- About seven kilometres north of Kopanaki you will travel on a very narrow road through the picturesque village of Kefalovrisi. Take care, and as you leave, look out for the old public washing facilities.
- Continue on this road until you see blue road signsv nestled in the shrubbery on your right hand side. Peppered by bullet holes made by bored hunters, one of these signs indicates that you need to turn right after the next corner to reach 'Platania'. (The road continues left to Avlona.)
- At an altitude of 550 metres, Platania is a small village perched on the top of the southern flank of the gorge. It is worth a visit if you are looking for a taverna but it is a dead end.
- Turn right before the village, after the graveyard, following the signw to the 'Barbalekou Tower / Neda River / Epic. Apolonas Temple' (Temple of Apollo). Incidently, the handwritten sign directs you back to Platania "where you will find good village cooking".
- The road to the right takes you to the summit of the gorgex, where you will see another sign to the 'Barbalekou Tower / Waterfalls / Stomio'. Stop to admire the view but do not be tempted to follow this sign. Although the road descends into the gorge, it quickly becomes an earthy track that leads to a ruined stone bridge that can only be crossed on foot.
- Continue on the tarmac road to start your descent into the gorge. This twists and turns as it descends and you should take care to avoid rocksy that have tumbled down the mountainside onto the road.
- Eventually, you will reach a bridge over the Neda river leading to a newly concreted section of the thrilling road that winds its way up the northern flank of the gorge. Take care around the hairpin bends, and watch out for tortoises, until you see the sign 'Arch. Figaleia'z.
- After the next bend, you will notice a huge plane tree on your right hand side. This shades a fountain house built between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.
- Stretching in front of you is a crazy paved ascent. Tackle it in first gear and drive past the old school house on your right towards the church.
- Just beyond the church, opposite its steps, are two driveways; the first leads to the "Kantina" ('village hall'), the second to The Ark.
- Turn into the Kantina grounds as this is the best place to park on arrival.
- If you pass a graveyard on your right hand side you have gone too far!
