Walk the Path of Asclepius

Ancient Trikke, today’s Trikala, is considered the birthplace of Asclepius. As Strabo notes, this is where the “oldest and most illustrious Asclepieion” was founded, establishing the area as one of the most important healing centers of the ancient world. According to myth, Asclepius, son of Apollo and disciple of the Centaur Chiron, would often climb the slopes of Mount Kerketion (Koziakas) to gather the herbs that formed the basis of herbal medicine.

At the foothills of imposing Koziakas, where nature seems to have preserved the memory of the ancient gods, one of Thessaly’s most distinctive hiking experiences unfolds: the Path of Asclepius in Gorgogyri, Trikala. A route of low difficulty but high aesthetic and symbolic value, it follows—according to tradition—the footsteps of the first physician of humankind, where he collected aromatic plants and medicinal herbs.

The mountain of herbs

Koziakas is not called the “mountain of herbs” by chance. Along the trail, more than 2,500 species of aromatic and medicinal plants have been recorded. Linden, thyme-oregano, lemon balm, St. John’s wort, chamomile, mountain tea, amaranth, madder, and dozens of other plants fill the air with fragrance, especially in spring and summer.

The Path of Asclepius has a total length of approximately 2.5 kilometers (5 km round trip). The first 1,500 meters are stone-paved and fully accessible, making the route ideal for all ages and for families.

Following the course parallel to the Kefalopotamos stream, visitors walk beneath centuries-old plane trees, their trunks resembling natural “sculptures,” while listening to the constant murmur of running water. In several spots, pools form with small waterfalls that generously offer moments of coolness in summer, while in winter the landscape provides an almost mystical, otherworldly experience.

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Along the route, you will encounter impressive wooden sculptures by local artist and president of the Social Cooperative Enterprise for Collective and Social Benefit (Koin.S.Ep.) “KEFALOPOTAMOS,” Angelos Patsiatzis. Unfortunately, his first creation, “The Guardian” of the trail, was destroyed by vandals, but fairies, Asclepius’ “assistant,” and a snake—the timeless symbol of medical science—still await visitors. These works function not only as points of interest, but also as expressions of local tradition and of the effort to highlight the trail as an open-air art park. 

Asclepius: from myth to modern ecotourism

The Path of Asclepius is part of a broader effort to highlight and connect the area with the god of Medicine. The plans of the Municipality of Trikala include the creation of 7 walking and 5 cycling routes in the villages of the former Municipality of Koziakas. The planning also foresees the establishment of a “Digital Asclepieion – Asclepius Park” in Prinos, as well as the creation of a model botanical garden covering approximately 1.2 hectares, featuring many species of medicinal plants from endemic (local) flora, as well as from the flora of the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The aim is to connect the history of medicine with nature, education, and sustainable tourism, creating new prospects for the local community and incentives for young people to remain in the area.

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Gorgogyri: the village of the Karkantzali

Gorgogyri, a picturesque village just 19 kilometers west of Trikala, built at the foothills of Koziakas, serves as the starting point of the trail. The village was once renowned for its dozens of dristeles—some of which still operate today—traditional water-powered fulling mills that use the force of the waters of the Kefalopotamos to wash blankets, quilts, and more. According to one version, Gorgogyri owes its name to the “swift turning” of the water inside the dristeles. 

The village is also known for a custom whose roots are lost in the depths of time. The custom of the Karkantzali  is revived on New Year’s Day, with strong participation from both residents and visitors. Groups of young people dressed as Karkantzali, wearing shaggy capes, face masks, and hanging bells, pass through every house in the village to ward off evil, amid a cacophony of sound. In this small corner of Greece, myths, legends, ancient gods, fantastical beings, and enchanting nature weave an inseparable “tapestry” that leaves no visitor unmoved!