The renowned, snaky river of the North called us for a visit, and we had no choice but to accept its invitation. Here’s what you’ll need to know if you hear the call of the superb Nestos.
  The most usual way to visit the Nestos Straits is to leave your car at the plateau outside the village of Galani, and do a little hiking along the Nestos trail. If you have time and appropriate shoes, there is an alternative way to admire the view of the river and its rich nature, walking in the completely opposite direction, i.e., the path from the abandoned village of Kromniko and then joining the trail before reaching the Straits in the village of Galani. The village of Kromniko was last inhabited by Pontic refugees who, seeking better living conditions, abandoned it permanently in 1965. As you walk amongst the ruins of bygone houses of the village, there is a high probability of encountering the beautiful wild horses that run free in the area. About 250 horses currently live there, descendants of horses once used by villagers.
  From the edge of the village, follow the wooden sign, to a central path leading through the beautiful beech forest to the railway lines. Especially in autumn, the bright orange-yellow leaves make the trip unique. Once you arrive at the train tracks, you will cross over them and move to the left, alongside the banks of the river until you again meet the tracks as they exit the tunnel. Caution, don’t be tempted to enter the tunnel with your torch (flashlight), because the trains run frequently and can be dangerous. To the left of the tunnel, the path continues, dug into the rock and ascending gently. Climb the small hill and soon the magnificent view of the river’s unparalleled meanderings will unfold in front of you. The view will truly leave you speechless!
  The trail continues on its course up the rock, allowing you to admire the unique beauty of the natural scenery, to its terminus at the village of Galani. Throughout the journey you will enjoy the panorama of the whole canyon, the mountains opposite, in places both lushly forested and naked rock, and beneath you the snake-like body of the river.
  Silence prevails, interrupted only by the sweet tittering of birds and the gurgle of the water below, while the only manmade sound you hear is the whistle of the train that passes every so often along the riverside path. Along the entire path there are wooden benches where you can relax and enjoy the coolness of the forest and magnificent views. The hike overall is a total of about five hours. Make sure you have water with you, and make sure before you start that you fully charge your camera!
  The Nestos Straits, apart from hiking, offer horseback riding, archery, cycling, or enjoying the river up close in a canoe/kayak. Local companies engaged in alternative forms of tourism can arrange organized getaways for you.
  We tried it, we loved it, and we share it with you without reservation. Exploring Nestos is highly recommended, even if you do need to hike a few kilometers to get there.