DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - Greece to UK overland...... Any advice

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > Expedition & Overland > Greece to UK overland...... Any advice

Page 3 of 3

Print this entire topic ·

lrMike

Member Since: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Athens
Posts: 177

Nice to know that you had a great time here Herald. And thank you for the nice comments.

About your next trip now...

Igoumenitsa is very close to Epirus mountains which are home for some of the best mountain trails and traditional villages in Greece. I could offer you millions of suggestions and maps to explore those trails. As I did for Glyn.

Since your destination would be Skiathos (as always

) I could suggest you a complete off-road path from Igoumenitsa to Agios Konstantinos from where you take the ferry to Skiathos. You will explore deep Greece and see places you wouldn't even imagine.

Most people know Greece as a summer destination for the beautiful sea and beaches but it is equally interesting during the rest of the year while exploring the mountainous mainland. Maybe you are aware of the article on the LRO International magazine a few months ago with the title "Greece, the next off-road heaven" and was refering to the fact that all greenlanes here are free for everybody, we dont have the restrictions that are applicable in Central Europe (yet !!)

Wild camping in Greece officially is not allowed. but nobody would ever bother you unless you are not following some basic common sense and hygiene rules that we are all aware of. I wild camp since many years now and never had a problem. In case you attract any attetion, it is more likely that the authorities will be much more tolerating towards you compared to the locals since you are a tourist. So don't worry and have a great time with your camping setup wherever you want.

Just let me know when you are going to be here so I can prepare a route for you with options and maybe also meet if possible !!

Mike

Quote:
I got held up on the Greek motorway at gunpoint by 3 Basta**s in black Bmw wantin euros . Many nice places though

Keith, I am very sorry for that and its the first time I hear something like that. Greece is very safe compared to other European countries even now that we have many illegal immigrants from neighboring countries who cause problems. I am glad you walked away intact... maybe it was a good opportunity to mentaly prepare you and your wallet for that heavy duty bumper and bull bar that you were thinking to put on your pride and joy...

13th Dec 2012 9:08am

Harald

Member Since: 30 May 2012
Location: Flanders Fields
Posts: 81

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 Fire LE Vesuvius Orange

Hello Mike, thnx for the response.
You mean the harbour Agios Konstantinos in Volos?

I allready had a look at Google Earth to see what region (Epirus mountains) you were talking about

Do you also know if there are any 1:25.000 Staff maps of Greece are available for use with Ozi-Exporer, although most maps are convertibe to Ozi anyway?
Normally I try to make some plt/kml files at home as a preperation on our journeys.

Any routes are more than welcome, allthough it is not sure yet where we will travel in 2013. That depends on work etc

.

Many thanks in advance, and if you ever travel to Belgium, let us know.
We can meet and try some of the 2.500 Belgium beers in the oldest pub of Belgium.......

Harald

16th Dec 2012 3:58pm

keith

Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 2212

lrMike wrote:
Nice to know that you had a great time here Herald. And thank you for the nice comments.

About your next trip now...

Igoumenitsa is very close to Epirus mountains which are home for some of the best mountain trails and traditional villages in Greece. I could offer you millions of suggestions and maps to explore those trails. As I did for Glyn.

Since your destination would be Skiathos (as always ) I could suggest you a complete off-road path from Igoumenitsa to Agios Konstantinos from where you take the ferry to Skiathos. You will explore deep Greece and see places you wouldn't even imagine.

Most people know Greece as a summer destination for the beautiful sea and beaches but it is equally interesting during the rest of the year while exploring the mountainous mainland. Maybe you are aware of the article on the LRO International magazine a few months ago with the title "Greece, the next off-road heaven" and was refering to the fact that all greenlanes here are free for everybody, we dont have the restrictions that are applicable in Central Europe (yet !!)

Wild camping in Greece officially is not allowed. but nobody would ever bother you unless you are not following some basic common sense and hygiene rules that we are all aware of. I wild camp since many years now and never had a problem. In case you attract any attetion, it is more likely that the authorities will be much more tolerating towards you compared to the locals since you are a tourist. So don't worry and have a great time with your camping setup wherever you want.

Just let me know when you are going to be here so I can prepare a route for you with options and maybe also meet if possible !!

Mike

Quote:
I got held up on the Greek motorway at gunpoint by 3 Basta**s in black Bmw wantin euros . Many nice places though

Keith, I am very sorry for that and its the first time I hear something like that. Greece is very safe compared to other European countries even now that we have many illegal immigrants from neighboring countries who cause problems. I am glad you walked away intact... maybe it was a good opportunity to mentaly prepare you and your wallet for that heavy duty bumper and bull bar that you were thinking to put on your pride and joy...

I am havin the bumper made as we speak , 10 mm , 4 inch top , front and bottom , with 2 inch longer brackets so its away from bodywork and wings . Same length as origonal with rubber endcaps . Thinking of driving down to Batumi and Tbilisi soon so HD bumper a must have .

16th Dec 2012 10:07pm

lrMike

Member Since: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Athens
Posts: 177

Hello Harald,

I am glad to answer your questions one by one...

1) No I mean the harbour Agios Konstantios in Maliakos gulf which is south of Volos. The harbour of Volos is another option for you in order to take the ferry to Skiathos and maybe its much better because you will be coming from North.

2) For your mapping question there is an excellent provider of both hard copies and electronic maps with astonishig detail of even the smallest path, and you can find it here: http://www.toponavigator.com/en.html. They will give you all the necessary details for the use of their maps with OZI.

Ring a bell before you come here in order to prepare my route suggestions !! My next road trip project is to visit Solihull and have the factory tour, also show my defender its "birthplace

" so a small deviation to Belgium would be a nice idea especially if it is combined with your traditional beers... I just wish to find the time and money... Maybe a wish to Santa will make it true!

Have a nice day my friend.

Mike

17th Dec 2012 9:57am

Harald

Member Since: 30 May 2012
Location: Flanders Fields
Posts: 81

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the information.

So far than our Greece trip would go from the harbour of Igouminitsa to the harbor of Volos.
The time we need for that trip is not really an issue

I looked at toponavigator. If I am correct they offer Greece Ozi-maps, but in a 1:50.000 scale.
I normally use the 1:25.000 topographic maps.
http://www.toponavigator.com/en/cartography/gr-2012.html
Don't know if that scale will do, never used it before.

And route suggestions, bivouac suggestions etc. are always welcome.

I sent you a PM with contact details if you ever visit Belgium.

CU,

Harald

19th Dec 2012 8:10pm

lrMike

Member Since: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Athens
Posts: 177

Hi Harald,

I called today the toponavigator company and checked that the only available maps for Ozi are in 1:50.000 scale. They are planning some time in the future to go in 1:25.000 but nothing for sure. They focus mostly on their own program "toponavigator" where the scale options are amazing 1:7.000.000 to 1:7 but it costs 220 € which is something for someone who is not local and will use it for a trip or two. On the other hand if you are planning to stay in your lovely Skiathos beach permanently it will be a handy tool !!

Have a nice day,

Mike

21st Dec 2012 8:11am

Harald

Member Since: 30 May 2012
Location: Flanders Fields
Posts: 81

Hi Mike, i managed to get my hands on some Ozi Maps from Greece, but only the mail land.
However better than nothing.
Do you maybe have some places or coordinates in epirus mountains so I can try to local these on my maps?

With regards, Harald

18th Jan 2013 9:17pm

lrMike

Member Since: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Athens
Posts: 177

Hi Harald,

Nice to hear from you again and I am sorry but I didn't see your post earlier.

You could check the following:

Coordinates are given in degrees mins secs

1) Metsovo Ski Center (N 39 47 03.54120 / E 21 09 33.18984)
2) The Shrine of Dodoni (N 39 32 36.56904 / E 20 47 19.92480)
3) Dragon lake (Drakolimni in greek) (N 39 59 39.02064 / 20 47 12.56208)

I hope you will find all the three of them. The third one is a bit difficult but if your maps have it they are more than good!!

Good luck.

Mike

22nd Jan 2013 8:23pm

Harald

Member Since: 30 May 2012
Location: Flanders Fields
Posts: 81

Allready looking good on Google Earth

Especially Dragon lake looks great, wow!

Perfect for a day hiking and hopefully 1 night camping with our rooftent near that magnificent lake.

THNX, Harald & Diana

24th Jan 2013 3:51pm

Page 3 of 3

All times are GMT

Jump to

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum