Cachelocation: N 36 16.395 E 27 56.396 , elev. 735 m.( the top itself is off limits: army-station).
Profitis Ilias or prophet Elias is a name one will find on many places on the greek continent and on all of its numerous islands. The greek Orthodox religion still is very important in the lifes of most of the greek people. And the prophet Elias as well.
On the island Rhodes we have spotted at least 4 markings on the map withe the name Profitas Ilias, of which two are the name of a mountain top:
-Profitas Ilias near Salakos, 798 m.
-Profitis Ilias near Archangelous, 505 m.
On both mountains we placed a cache.
Again: when placing the caches we had in mind a cacheroute by foot, hiking, rambling ..... - as we love to do ourselves !
For the discription of the route we will refer to the german walking guide: Rother Wanderfuhrer: Rhodos , routenr.26.
But this one can be done by car, too.
It can be reached at a sharp rightcurve in the main road, directly at the westside of Salakos.
Elevation at the start 222 m. It is an old donkeytrail/monopathi marked with red dots, and has a great deal of shadowed parts coming from stoneoak, cedar and pine. The climbing is not really strenuous. At about 500 m. elevation the path get's easier and shortly afterwards you will reach Agios Antonios : one of the most beautifull and peacefull located chapels we have ever seen on the greek islands.!! A great place for a rest.
Futher on you will reach the area where the italians -during the period of their rule over Greece : 1913-1943- have constructed some wonderfull villa's and hotels . The hotel is now under reconstruction, but a great villa is left to ruin. Too bad.
This is where you cross the road -at a cafe- to the concrete stairs N 36 16.594 E 27 56.579 elev. 616 m. , that lead you up to the last part: a beautifull roundwalk uphill to the cachelocation with a truly marvellous view. After finding the cache continue further on downhill and back to the hotel again.
These concrete stairs also are the starting point for those who do not want to walk all the way up : follow the small red markings up and around ! But also we recommend visiting the described agios Antonios chapel, some 10 min. back.
The stairs can be reached by a road from the village of Eleoussa into the direction of Profitis Ilias , athletic center and Agios Nicolaos Fountoukli.
This road is so beautifull no one should miss it, as well as the agios Nicolaos Fountoukli. We considered it a true pleasure, driving the 13 km. long road !
Enjoy the hike, the nature, the chapels and the view.
Small note on cache maintenance: A dutch couple living near the city of Rhodes, owning a restaurant, are our contact for problems.