The area of Fa encompasses a small valley in the southern foothills of Mt Lepros.
To the well-tended local olive and almond groves charm visitors to the region to this day. Recently a forest fire destroyed the woodlands around the Fa valley, but the rate of reforestation is truly impressive. Fa is the jump-off point for a captivating hike to Lithi through nature. This dirt footpath starts on a gentle downhill slope and leads hikers over a stone-paved road that dates to the immediate aftermath of the Greek revolution. It’s said to have been laid down around 1850. The road was once the vital artery connecting Lithi with the paths of Central Chios.
This paved route is one of the few to survive in such admirably good condition and is an exceptional example of mid-19th century roadwork. Transverse channels help drain rainwater from the road, while its good condition is in no small part down to its well-laid dry-stone support foundations. The engineers addressed sharp slopes wherever they encountered them by splitting the road into two zones of successive layers. At difficult points on the route, the dry-stone foundations were embedded into limestone boulders, while road access points were built of stone steps jutting out from the supporting slopes.
The initial phase of the hike out of the picturesque Fa valley gradually gives way to steeply inclined stream, with truly striking views of Lithi and the harbour after the halfway point. Arguably the high point of the hike is that first glimpse of the sea. As the route extends, its downward slope becomes ever more inclined. Travellers looking for an easier route can opt for a short footpath that bypasses the sharp turns and cuts down on the hike. However, anyone walking this path should do so with caution as it’s not preserved in good condition and is likewise quite steep. Rounding a bend in the road, the village of Lithi appears before hikers. This bend has historical significance: back in 1912, it was where the Cretan volunteer and freedom fighter Georgios Perros was killed in battle against the Ottomans. This section of the route leads to the beach at Lithi.