The route of the Rodopi Challenge 50 miles is 82 kilometers long, of which 57 are trails (70%), 22.4 are dirt roads (27%) and 2.4 are asphalt (3%). The total positive elevation gain (ascent) is 4278 meters, as is the total negative elevation gain (descent). The ascent index reaches 52. Below is a detailed description of the route, divided into 4 sections, according to the delimitation resulting from the three Support Stations of the race. It is noted that the start is given at 06:00 (morning) Saturday from the Forest Village of Erymanthos, in the area of Haidou and the race closes at the same point at 12:00 (night) Saturday to Sunday, giving athletes a time frame of 18 hours to complete their effort.

Section 1 > HADU – GREENLAND

Route length 26,8 km (Total 26,8) Field distribution (km) mnp.15,6 / hdr.10,6 / asph.0,6 Ascent / Descent +953m / -1600m Max. 1325/360 Limit of validity Station closure SUMMARY: Easy start with a slightly downhill dirt road and a short downhill path (Theologos) in the forest. Easy and easy continuation after the first 15K, with straight lines on paths and dirt roads, but they get mixed up in many places, with several key junctions, which hide the risk of losing the route for the careless. The rest of the route up to Prasinada, there are few difficulties. WARNING: The athletes will repeat this section in the opposite direction, heading towards the finish. ANALYSIS: The route of the Rodopi Challenge 50 miles starts from the “Forest Village of Erymanthos” in the area of Haidou. It follows for 7,2K a dirt road with a north initially and then west direction, which encircles the mountain of Antalofos, which dominates over the Forest Village. As the road reaches the excursion site for the Livaditis waterfall, where there is a car park for visitors, the route leaves the road and leaves through the car park, descending right down the path to the waterfall, which it leaves further down at a left-hand T-junction. On a less marked path now, the route passes a large stream over a wooden makeshift bridge and climbs uphill to emerge in a short while into lower vegetation with scattered clearings here and there. Soon it reaches the “Theologian’s” Checkpoint at K-10 and from there begins a long downhill through a dense beech forest at first and oak then. The slopes are initially gentle but gradually become steeper and endless zigzags bring the trail lower and lower until, at the end, the crossing of a creek marks the end of the Theologian’s Descent. Soon after, the trail passes an old arched bridge on the opposite bank of the Vathirema, which earlier has formed the waterfall of the Livadite. The trail continues on a path, with Vathyremma on the left and winding through dense vegetation of low trees. It then enters a forest of tall water-loving trees and as the gradient decreases even further, small streams appear and a little further down join the Vathyrema, which now flows calmly under the shade of large trees. Exit onto a footpath and then cross a stream on a concrete ramp built earlier to protect the road from erosion. Another creek on a ramp and the trail exits at a forked dirt road intersection, with a gazebo on the right. This is where the “Talia” checkpoint is located. Then up the dirt road and very soon it passes a third ramp, the largest of the three, where of course the athlete must go through the water, which reaches ankle height.

For a few kilometres the route runs on a dirt road, to leave it abruptly at a big right turn and turn left onto a path, which descends into an oak forest to reach a metal bridge over the Arkoudorema, in the area of the waterfall of Agia Varvara. At this point, after crossing the bridge, the route soon emerges onto an asphalt road and continues on it in a westerly direction for about a kilometre before leaving it at a left-hand uphill bend. A path in sparse bushland, after climbing for 1K, leads to a ploughed clearing with a watering hole in the centre. Continuing west and after a short passage on a dirt road, it rejoins a path that also heads west, traversing slopes of scrubby vegetation and at an altitude of no more than 400m, to descend steeply into a gully, which it crosses across, rock by rock. Immediately afterwards, it climbs steeply for 50 metres and comes out on a dirt road, which it follows in the right (north) direction. The road, well-maintained at the beginning and with a slight uphill gradient, gradually turns bad and after a large landslide that cut it in two, it now becomes a single track. Further on it fades into a tall grass meadow, where a path begins, with a left-hand uphill gradient and a westerly direction. For two more miles the trail climbs gradually, with a distinctive fence grid just off the trail for more than a mile of distance. The well-marked trail comes out at the end at the small settlement of Prasinada, where after 26.8 kilometers, athletes find the first race station, in the village square.

Section 2 > GREENLAND – ZARCADIA

Route length 14,1 km (Total 40,9) Field distribution (km) mnp.12,9 / hdr.0,6 / asph.0,6 Ascent / Descent +680m /-1045m Max. 980/310 Validity Limit 8:00 Station Closure 14:00 Saturday SUMMARY: Easy section, with a lot of trail and natural beauty, although quite technical in the second half, due to the steep downhill. Several drinking waters along the route. Beware of the trail markers, in the dense forest, where the trail is relatively unclear. CAUTION: Athletes will repeat this section in the opposite direction, heading towards the finish. ANALYSIS: Starting from the square of Prasinada and after 300 metres between the houses of the village, the route enters a concrete road at a forked junction, the road immediately becomes dirt and passes in front of cow farmers’ stables. With a slight uphill climb at first, the road fades out at about 1K and the route leaves left on a path, where there is a characteristic concrete structure for the water that waters Prasinada. The trail moves on a level path and is well-marked. It then goes downhill through a gully with running water and uphill through the woods, to end up in scrubland and ground that gradually becomes stony. The gradient here becomes zero and the path begins to descend between bushes and dry stone walls and soon the settlement of Sillis begins to be seen low down, which the path finally reaches after a few bends on poor terrain. From the fountain-dish of Sillis, where the checkpoint is located, the route goes straight on, with a wide path that soon begins to circle the village from above, only to move away from it, even losing sight of it abruptly. As it ascends, its quality and width improve and the vegetation gradually becomes treeless. On reaching a pasture (marked by the heavily bearded bushes around it), the path leaves slightly to the right but with little or no track for 100m. Then it re-forms between bushes and is now clear. The vegetation for some distance is tall shrubs and low trees and the path moves in a generally NW direction. At some point and almost suddenly, it enters a woodland of tall beech trees and the gradient moderates. Here the altitude is over 800m and the trail trace is very good. Pass through a gully with drinking water and a beautiful clearing at the exit and some more climbing in meadows and then the endless descent of Bukovo (or Beech) begins, with the Checkpoint at the start. Descend into a beech forest with a very good trail and exit into large sloping meadows, which once formed the settlement of Bukovo (Beech). The path becomes confused going downhill in the clearing and quickly re-enters the vegetation, soon decreasing its descent and until it reaches a neck, where it changes direction and again takes a steep slope into a dense beech and oak forest.

The descent continues endlessly and in some places the path is extremely steep and rudimentary and needs attention. The vegetation changes to pure oak lower down and moves in a generally NW direction. A little water runs along the path as it approaches the gully and shortly after the path approaches a small arched bridge, but does not pass over it. There is a dirt road next to it, but off the race route. After this point, the path becomes narrower and not well-marked and after a small uphill and an exposed traverse, from which one can see the Zarkadia-Bartakova (Stamna) road below, it drops back down for the last time into a dense forest but with lower trees and soon comes out into the gully, passing through the water, to meet the asphalt road leading from Paranesti to Thermia. About 700m right on the asphalt and you reach the two characteristic pavilions on the side of the road, just before a bridge, where the Zarkadia Support Station is located, at the homonymous location. This is also the furthest point of the race route. Here the athletes turn around to return exactly the same route backwards.

Section 3 > ZARCADIA – GREENLAND

Route length 14,1 km (Total 55,0) Field distribution (km) mnp.12,9 / hdr.0,6 / asph.0,6 Ascent / Descent +1045m/-680m Max. 980/310 Validity Limit 12:00h (Lap 4:00) Station Closing 18:00 Saturday SUMMARY: Repeat of the second part of the route but in the opposite direction. The most difficult section of the race, as it has a large continuous 5.7K climb, located after the midway point of the race. (Note: Although this is a section that the athlete has already done, in the opposite direction of course, the description is given because the view is completely different on the return. Turning at the Zarkadia Station, the course moves for 600m on the asphalt, until the junction of the dirt road. There it leaves the road, crosses the stream across and climbs up the path to start the longest climb of the race, with an elevation gain of over 700m. Beware of the first 1.5K where the trail is not particularly well defined and one must rely more on signaling. Attention should also be paid to an exposed point at the 1K from the start of the trail, as there is a danger of fatigue. A few ups and downs and the trail gets better. Next is the long, strenuous climb, which has some running water at the start, useful for everyone. It is already known to everyone that the trail follows a broken course to cut the uphill slope. The signs on the opposite side can also be useful, if one turns to look back. The image of the uphill ground does not help in tracing the route, as the top-down image helps. The bad terrain of the uphill of Bukovo (Beech) is less bad as a climb, since the speed of travel is overwhelmingly lower and the uphill does not present slipperiness hazards like the downhill. Gradually, the trail moves through the oak forest and passes two grooves. The second furrow, at 4K from the tarmac has a cell phone signal and the slope cuts off immediately afterwards. Soon the route reaches the greened slopes of the remnants of Bukovo (Beech), between which, and for about 50m, the path seems to fade, but rejoins soon afterwards and re-forms with a competent track. Above, the well-known ploughing of the path through pure beech forest and the end of the uphill with the presence of the “Bukovo” checkpoint. Slight descent into meadows immediately afterwards, with the view opening up to the south. The trail shapes up again as it moves away from the meadow and descends through birch and beech trees to emerge into a gully, with drinking water. It then straightens through a beautiful beech wood and after manoeuvring through lower vegetation, emerges into the meadow, where the views open up in every direction. Here the route turns left (east) and with care, following the signposting, we exit the meadow downhill and immediately an excellent path is formed that descends through a forest of low trees.

A steady course in a downhill direction and slope and soon Silli emerges at a left turn of the path, where the path reaches in a short while. At the “Kopana” (a water fountain for animals), there is a checkpoint at K-50.9. With caution, 30 meters immediately after the fountain, you can see between the blackberry trees on the left the uphill start of the trail to Prasinada. Several cagellas on loose ground with free stones in the path and bushes around, give an elevator-type ascent and bring the athlete to the top. Then an easy run along the old stone cobbled pathway – a single track running in a level NE direction. As it narrows and descends, however, immediately afterwards, care is needed not to lose the trail among the bairns (meadows) that lie like wide steps ahead. Pass through a concrete reservoir with muddy ground and a disorderly descent into the woods; cross the gully and climb across and then traverse the path for about 1K. After the concrete shaft at the end of the path, drop down to the poor dirt road that descends to the village. Coming out of the houses, take care: right on the tarmac for 50m and immediately left down a steep dirt slope, between garden fences, to reach the square, where the 11th Checkpoint and the 3rd and last Station of the race (“Prasinada”) of the same name are located, at K-55.

Section 4 > GREENHOUSE – HADU

Route length 26,8 km (Total 81,8) Field distribution (km) mnp.15,6 / hdr.10,6 / asph.0,6 Ascent / Descent +1600m/-953m Max. 1325/360 Limit of validity 18:00h Station closure 12:00 Saturday SUMMARY. Observation is also required due to the many critical junctions. Advantage of the fact that the athletes have passed through here before. Disadvantage, the fact that for most it will be night for most of them towards the end. Its greatest objective difficulty, the ascent of Captain Theologian, with a 2.5 km stretch and an altitude of 400 meters, at KM-69. Lots of water on the route and low altitudes. Attention to signalling! ANALYSIS: (Note: Although this is a section that the athlete has already done, in the opposite direction of course, the description is given because it is a completely different perspective on the return. From Prasinada Station, the route leaves towards the eastern edge of the small settlement, where the stable is located, which the route, once passed, turns left onto a path, which soon becomes a footpath. Take care on the descent, as the terrain is generally poor, with loose stones. Careful where it narrows due to the quirky fencing on the left side. Even more caution is needed a little further on as the trail fragments and the slope increases, especially in the event of rain, this section slides dangerously. Immediately afterwards exit into a grassy meadow, almost 2K from Prasinada. We turn right, without seeing a trail, -as it is dark- but we hear the river flowing under the meadow. Soon we realize that we are on a path that the route follows without fail for the next 3K. The road is characterized by a landslide that has blocked the road and makes the passage an adventure -attention tired people and those in the dark: risk of a serious fall- as well as the muddy section of 10 meters immediately before. At 3K from the trailhead, there is a “Mill” checkpoint at K-59.6. Leave the road and drop into the gully to cross with great care across, either rock to rock or through the water. Although the slope across is confusing, it is easy to find the trail thanks to the strong signage. Serious short uphill climb with cairns gives elevation to the trail and then traversing, first on the steep slope (watch out for a step or two) and then on smaller gradients. Course steady east and on gentle terrain now, no inclines but plenty of attention required to get the route right. At the end we reach the Lefterina mantra, the famous huge meadow with the truant in the centre. Having had a picture of the area from the start of the race, where the athlete crossed in the opposite direction, it is easy to spot which direction the trail is in when this meadow/hill is finished to the east.

A bit complicated on the downhill after the meadow, we get back on the path and from there on the asphalt road, which we follow for almost 1K, to leave to the right (attention! the route leaves the asphalt road after 600 meters) towards the waterfall of Agia Varvara. The route naturally crosses the metal bridge across and after a few meters on the busy path leading to the waterfall (at the second metal sign) leaves left on the uphill and in less than 1K with the familiar from the beginning “slalom” comes out on the dirt road leading to Talia. We take the road to the right, with A direction and in 1.5K we reach Vathirema, which of course we have to cross over again. A little further on, in the adjacent pavilion, is the “Talia” checkpoint, at K-66. We turn left and cross two more streams to enter the watery forest with the trail presenting no technical difficulties, requiring only the athlete’s attention. The water is all drinkable all around, as many as are running. The trail reaches the fork for Trachoni (left), where there is a signpost, but the race route leaves right on the small downhill and soon finds the ornate arched bridge of Vathirema. From here there is still 12K to the finish but ahead is an objective obstacle: the uphill of Kapetan-Theologos. Just 100m after the bridge is a stream with excellent drinking water, where one should fill up one’s empty containers in view of the Kapetan-Theologos, since the next drinking water is at least an hour away for the fastest and almost two for the slowest and most harassed. The climb is slow due to the steep gradient in the first stages of the ascent, only to smooth out afterwards, making the now familiar twists and turns (slaloms) through the forest. There are no distinct landmarks, just the sight of endless trunks of oaks, beeches and a few pines. Attention to signposting, up in the trees. The trail is hard to see, due to the thick layer of leaves on the ground. Exit at the “Theologian” Checkpoint at K-71.7 and continue through the familiar terrain of meadows and thick grass, bushes then and the 90 degree left turn, the slight climb and general wandering in a landscape that creates a sense of uncertainty as to the correctness of the direction. Here the organisation is giving particular attention to the issue of signalling. Passing the drinking water stream and then the long downhill brings the trail into a dense beech forest and into the ravine with the wooden temporary bridge. Turn left after the bridge and side-track to the main path that leads walkers to the Livaditis waterfall. At the point where the small path of the race route meets the main path, turn right and follow it uphill until the end, that is, until you reach in less than 1K the area for the cars of the visitors of the waterfall. This 1K is done with several twists and turns of the trail between large beech trees and without any fear of losing the trail. In the landscaped area (with gazebo and fencing) is the last Checkpoint, “Livaditis”, at K-74.6. Left on the dirt road, 7.2K remain on it, for the finish at the Forest Village of Haidou.