A Trek Up and a Surprise Down Areopagus Hill, Athens

The Gen X Travels

2 years ago

It was 2021 and we were in Athens. It wasn’t our first time to Athens so we were feeling pretty comfortable in the area. We purposely stay at Electra Palace in the Plaka so we have some familiarity. That being said, guidance was still needed to find some specific places.

This trip I had decided I wanted to see the view of the Acropolis from Areopagus Hill. We could see the hill below last time we had visited the Acropolis but have never been able to find it. I was on a mission. I had a real map and of course I had my iPhone GPS.

Now why I still attempt to use GPS in Athens is beyond me. Each time I do, it fails me miserably. Sometimes GPS likes to take me in the wrong direction, sometimes the GPS marker becomes confused and slowly spins around, and other times GPS does nothing.

Regardless of this knowledge, I was sure GPS was my friend so I went ahead with typing in Areopagus Hill. Much to my delight, it gave me distinct directions and we were not far away.

Following my GPS, like It was a treasure map, Steve and I set out to see the view. We turned here and there and soon we were informed that we had arrived at our destination. I was excited GPS actually arrived me to a destination without a melt down. I also was a bit apprehensive. This certainly did not look like a popular spot.

We looked around, there were no markers or signs, Just a hill on our right with a cave, several faint paths and olive trees. I looked at my real map and we appeared to be on track. I turned to Steve and said with confidence, “This is it. Let’s Go!” So off I started up a faint path and past the olive trees as Steve skeptically followed me.

We passed nobody, which was odd considering when we saw the hill from the Acropolis area there were lots of people on it. Nonetheless, I was sure this time GPS had improved and would not lead me astray. In addition, I could see the Acropolis peaking through the trees in all its glory. Soon though, the path was more like a dusty hill but I confidently led the way as if I had traveled past these olive trees to the top of Areopagus Hill dozens of times.

As we walked up the slope it became more rocky and the rocks also became more slick and I, in my infinite wisdom, had sandals on. I just don’t seem to learn, fashion over function does not work in Greece. The sandals were fine walking the streets of Athens so I never thought to change into something different.

It wasn’t long until we could see the acropolis and I was quite proud of my trusty GPS. Unfortunately we were inching along, thanks to my sandals and the increasingly slick path. As we neared the top my sandals were so ineffective that I was hanging on to Steve’s arm and was slipping with almost every step. In exasperation, I told Steve I would wait for him and he could go get pictures.

Steve shot a few pics then hollered down to me that I just had to come up to where he was to see the view! I assured him that I was fine where I was and I was not going any further. He insisted. He was so insistent he walked down to where I was, offered his arm and assisted me. In frustration, I removed my shoes and carried them while carefully walking barefoot on the rocks and holding his arm. The rocks did not feel great but it was better than sliding along. I rolled my eyes at him and said, “This view better be damn good”.

Once to the top I looked over at the Acropolis and turned to Steve and said, “Seriously, it’s great but…”. Silently, Steve pointed to the right. I looked where he was pointing and oh wow was it a glorious view it was. Steps. The other side of Areopagus Hill had steps. Steps with a railing! Here we were, climbing up a slick rocky trail only to find out we could have seen the same view by only walking up 20-30 easy steps from the street!