Every October, Ano Meria village on Skopelos Island shifts into festive gear to honor the chestnut harvest, an event where nature’s pulse commands the rhythm. The Chestnut Festival offers a rare chance to explore the island’s rugged northern landscapes, engage with local traditions, and taste age-old recipes crafted from the season’s bounty.

Approaching Ano Meria means relative quietude is giving way to a forest alive with the crackle of dried leaves underfoot and the scent of roasted chestnuts in the air. Hikers and visitors should expect a moderate trek if approaching on foot—a roughly 6-kilometer route from the nearby harbor area with an elevation gain near 300 meters. The path winds through thick chestnut groves, whose canopies play with patches of sunlight, and uneven terrain that demands sturdy shoes and steady footing.

The chestnut trees seem almost sentient, their spiky burrs daring the curious traveler to come closer, while the cool October breeze pushes the smoke of cooking fires upward, carrying aromas that blend earth and woodsmoke. Local vendors line the village square, offering freshly roasted chestnuts, chestnut honey, and traditional dishes like "koutsouflaki"—a local chestnut cake—each bite a direct link to the mountain’s gifts.

Festival visitors gain more than culinary pleasure. Workshops introduce chestnut harvesting techniques, while folk music punctuates the air as dancers move with deliberate energy, rooting the celebration firmly in cultural continuity. For hikers, integrating the festival into a day’s adventure means planning for hydration and timing your route to arrive when activities peak, usually mid-afternoon to early evening.

The terrain is uncompromising at times, with rocky patches and steep inclines that reward perseverance with panoramic views over Ag. Ioannis Bay and the Aegean’s sapphire sweep. If the weather holds—a brisk October sun—a short rest along these viewpoints is a necessary counterbalance to the steady climb.

Practical advice: wear layered clothing adaptable to cooling mountain air after sunset, bring water plentifully, and consider walking sticks if your balance needs extra security on uneven ground. Early arrival helps secure parking in Ano Meria and guarantees a better stall selection at the market. The festival is an invitation to witness Skopelos as it shifts gears from summer’s frantic pulse toward winter’s quiet patience, fiercely itself and richly rewarding. Step into the forest’s embrace and let the chestnut’s ancient story unfold beneath your feet.