XEROLAKKI - MEGALI GOURNA (Necessity Refuge)
Follow the forested road from the previous route (No 17) and approximately 2 km after Naoum Stream the road passes through the Xerolakki Stream (1.350 m) where there is a cement water tank.
Route of medium difficulty
Immediately parallel to the stream a road ascends which leads up higher in the stream (1.600 m). Follow the path of the stream until Megali Gourna valley (2.550 m) which is home to the stone built refuge Necessity (at certain times of the year the entire refuge is covered in snow and cannot be considered as an option for an overnight stay or shelter from the weather).
The route starts out in the forest but as it progresses and the ascent becomes steeper vegetation becomes more sparse and the landscape more rocky.
The refuge is an ideal starting point to continue on to the peaks of Skolio (2.911 m) – Skala (2.866 m) – Mytikas (2.918 m) or Agios Antonios (2.817 m) or Christaki (2.706 m).
