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The oldest path that used to connect Nikia and Lakki, crossing the entire cliff of the eastern caldera. Its biggest part was recently restored; traversing this path on the old stone paving is a sheer pleasure.
This path begin walking down behind the Volcanological museum in direction Prophet Elias Church, but instead of take the road to the peak, watching left you will see the begin of the first part this route , which is a staircase with paved stones.
Arrived down you may enjoy a beverage at Sideris canteen – for many decades an invaluable assistant to all scientific exploration crews, with information on the volcano and with the support he provides – make your way to Stefanos and descend to the crater.
Allow yourself to be amazed by the sulfur crystals formed in the fumaroles. Do not attempt to collect them; they will be instantly wrecked and you will deprive your followers of a chance to see them. Listen to the booming sound of the fluid as it ascends to the surface. Make sure that your clothes or backpacks remain clear off the rocks and the fluid; otherwise they will be quickly ruined. If you visit the crater during the rainy season, you will enjoy the spectacle of boiling mud. The main part of Stefanos pit floor in fact turns into boiling mud.
However do not finish your outing at Stefanos. Take the path to the craters of Alexandros, Polyvotis Minor and Major as well as the others situated in the area of Lofos (‘the hill’). A climb down to Polyvotis Major is worth a visit to appreciate the thin layered sediments of a lake located there prior to the 1871-1873 eruptions, as well as the countless fumaroles; this requires extreme caution and is only recommended for skilled climbers. Avoid descending to Polyvotis bottom unless on an adequately windy day. Being heavier than air, carbon dioxide will gather near to the bottom making a visit unsafe, unless air is adequately renewed.
It is preferable to make a single separate trip to the hydrothermal craters; after reaching Lakki via Evangelistra – Mporiatikos on foot or by other means of your choice, you can effortlessly enjoy the unique spectacle of the craters’ hydrothermal activity.
By feet is possible decide to walk back toward Mandraki through the pathway which will bring you on the dirty road that go along the westside of the caldera, on the end this path you will have a wondeful caldera view from another perspective
Or walk returning to Nikia, is possible to walk in direction Stavros, and from the juction with the dirty road towards Agia Irini take the path Nikia-Kokkino Milo- Kailia climbing up back to Nikia.
