Neo Petritsi: Hiking on Belles, Nature and History

Neo Petritsi between Belles and the Lonza Valley

When planning a stay in Neo Petritsi, three distinct themes come into focus: hiking trails on Belles, the landscape of the Lonza Valley, and the memory of the Second World War. Neo Petritsi lies on the southeastern foothills of the Kerkini Mountains, also known as Belles. If you are looking for a hotel in Neo Petritsi, these highlights can provide an initial guide for planning your trip: consider whether you would rather spend your time on the mountain trails and in the valley or at the memorial center.

Hiking trails on Belles

The network of trails in the mountains around Neo Petritsi, on the southeastern slopes of Belles, is now more than 40 kilometers long and continues to expand. One 3.5-kilometer route leads to Soultanitsa Waterfall. It passes through a green gorge with centuries-old plane trees and lush vegetation and is described as the nearest and easiest route. The figures refer to two different scales: the mountain trail network of more than 40 kilometers and the 3.5 kilometers to the waterfall. Since trail conditions can change, check the latest information before setting out on a hike.

The European long-distance path E6 covers a different scale and passes through Neo Petritsi. Its route description gives a length of 5,200 kilometers and a course from Scandinavia to Greece. Unlike the local waterfall route, the E6 is a long-distance trail. Signposts in the center of Neo Petritsi and at the entrance to the valley provide information about the hiking routes. This lets you consider the information on site when choosing between a specific hike and the longer-distance trail.

Lonza Valley, park, and local cuisine

The flowing waters of the Soultanitsa and centuries-old plane trees shape the landscape of the Lonza Valley. In Lonza Park, wooden structures stand in green surroundings; they were built by volunteer architects from Scandinavian countries and offer residents and visitors a place to relax. At the beginning of the Lonza Valley, there are also tavernas and grill restaurants serving local dishes in a natural setting. Alongside the mountains, the valley, park, and local cuisine are therefore distinct themes to consider when planning your trip.

Memorial center and the history of the fortifications

The Belles World War II Memorial Center is located in Neo Petritsi. A report dated February 3, 2026, describes photographs, military equipment, and objects left behind by the defenders of the fortifications. It also describes a virtual reality simulation that travels along the roughly 215-kilometer Greek-Bulgarian border to the main buildings of the fortifications. Fighting took place there from April 6 to 9, 1941. If you are planning a visit, check current visiting options directly with the operator in advance.

Festivals and past mountain races

The “Agios Minas” Association of Star Tsovites and Friends holds the “Γιορτή Τσίπουρου” every year on November 13 in front of the Agios Minas Chapel. Another annual festival takes place on May 6 in the forecourt of the Church of Agios Georgios. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these dates, confirm the arrangements for the relevant year locally.

Mountain races are also part of the area’s event history: in June 2022, the Neo Petritsi Cultural Association organized the “Belles Historic Trail” races over distances of 8 and 21 kilometers. A repeat event was announced for 2023. These two distances give an impression of how the mountain landscape has served not only as a setting for hiking trails but also for sporting events; the 2023 announcement is a historical date.

Discover more destinations: Draviskos, Mavrothalassa, Lygaria, Symvoli, Amfipoli, Serres, Ammoudia, Lithotopos Irakleia.

Go to the main travel overview: Serres.