Karyes are an ideal base for activities and excursions on Parnon mountain and it is fact that from Karyes passes through the European path E4, which starts from Pyrenees mountain in Spain, enters the northern of Greece at Florina and ends at Zakro of Crete. Many lovers of nature, hiking and trekking, pass through Karyes following the path's route and enjoying the beauty and colors of nature.
n the region of Karyes are etched special trails for mountain bike. These trails were used in 2012 by the Greek Cycling Federation to conduct the National Championship Mountain Bike.
These trails are fully labeled and they cross beautiful routes in the forest of mountain Parnon. The Karyes Cultural Club has published a fully informed map of the three bike routes starting from Karyes and below you will find the relevant maps and charts.
Sightseeing:
1) Caryatids Monument
According to historians, the Caryatids Monument is located on the ancient acropolis of Karyes and it is an exact copy of a section of Erechtheion's dome at Athens' Acropolis. It was founded in 1983 with the expense of many donors and the initiative of "Karyates Association". The Caryatids (means young girls from Karyes), were priestesses virgins who danced a worship dance every year at "Karyateia", a fest dedicated to goddess Artemis the Caryatid. This worship dance Caryatis was "epichorios" (means local), it wasn't danced elsewhere and it was considered to be difficult.
Today, it is a symbol for present Karyes marking the connection between the present time and the glorious past of the region.
2) The Church of Assumption
Or else known to the inhabitants as "Panagia", was built in 1900 and it is located on the North-East end of the village, at 500m from the central square on the road to Agios Petros Kinourias. According to historical evidence, this site is determined to be the place where was the "Santuary of Artemis", with the statue of Caryatid Artemis and its priestesses called Caryatids.