With a history almost as old as humankind itself, horseback riding combines uniquely the thrilling adventure with the fundamental value of ecotourism: total respect for the natural environment. Unlike other adventurous sports, horseback riding remains unchanged since antiquity, having as its endearing feature the intimate relationship between man and horse.
According to Greek mythology, Mount Pelion was the home of the mythical Centaurs, creatures who were half-men and half-horses. Ancient Greek heroes such as Achilles, Jason and Theseus came to Mount Pelion to master the arts taught by the Centaurs.
Nowadays, as you enter this kingdom of nature, all your senses are heightened, eager to experience this unspoiled world. The horseback trip starts in Argalasti, an attractive village on the south of the peninsula of Magnesia, far from the usual tourist routes.
From here you can reach beaches on both sides of the peninsula – open sea or calm gulf –, where you can enjoy the sea and the sun and get a bite in picturesque seaside taverns; or you can picnic in nature before you return to Argalasti for the evening. The area around Argalasti is hilly but relatively even, without steep gradients, covered with groves of perennial olive trees, interspersed with forest and brush, or streambeds in the shade of luxuriant plane trees.
The cobblestone trails between villages travel you through time and they are ideal for horseback riding. The main trails out of Argalasti lead to many interesting locations, such as Kalamos (6 km to the W) and Lefokastro (6 km to the NW). In many places along the trails the woods are very thick, offering enough shade for comfortable horseback riding even in summertime. There are some impressive beaches near Argalasti you can visit on horseback. On the outer or Aegean side of the peninsula, there is Paltsi (13 km to the E), Potistika (10 km on the E) and Melani (10 km on the E). Paltsi is a remote and quiet beach. Potistika is a broad sandy beach with towering rocks. Melani is a sandy beach also accessible by dirt road. On the inner or gulf side of the peninsula, the finest beach is called Marmaro (next to Kalamos).
Source: GNTO
