Granitis, a natural entry point to the basin, is situated at an altitude of 789 m., 8 km away from Kato Nevrokopi. It is a quite picturesque village immersed in lavish greenery with pines, firs, and beech trees, fruitful walnut trees and self-seeded hazel trees. It was named after the granite quarries of the area, where they would extract square stones (cobblestones) that used for paving the streets. A stroll through the narrow streets of the village will be one of the most rewarding experiences, as you will be able to admire exquisite stone houses with tidy, neat yards.

In the village there is the post-Byzantine church of Taxiarches built in 1873, where the wood-carved Bishop’s throne, shrine, iconostasis finial, and pilasters of the Holy Doors are still preserved.

It is one of the small picturesque villages of Greece that is often not even mentioned on the map. It has managed to become a point of reference for those looking for moments of relaxation, walking on organized deeply shaded paths, or looking for tension and adrenaline, "conquering" high altitudes and high peaks.The reason for the small village of Granitis, in the municipality of Kato Nevrokopi of Drama, which has evolved from an ordinary road "passage" into a "station" and a base for alternative tourism in the area, with the organized and certified network of 30 km of trails it has. It is no coincidence that every September the popular "Granitis Trail" mountain running races are organized there, with the participation of hundreds of athletes from Greece and abroad.

With two organized trails, 21 km and 9 km respectively, the village is a good proposition for those who want to get in touch with nature, its colors and smells. For walks and hikes in beech forests or for more extreme situations and endurance, "conquering" high peaks with breathtaking views. Especially when all this is combined, at the end of the day, with traditional dishes in the local taverns, relaxation and sleep in the two small warm hotels of the village, then just go up to Granitis.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Starting from the village of the paths of Granite and at an altitude of 815m in the N.K. Nevrokopiou, the race route begins with the first kilometer of forest road and immediately to the left enters the path covered by beech vegetation. After 5.5 km of forest and at an altitude of 1165m, we reach the first feeding station, from where a 4.6 km stretch of alpine ridge begins with a continuous view of the plain of Drama on the left and the Nevrokopio basin on the right. We reach the position of Auchenas (altitude 1370m) and the #2 supply station. From the position of Auchenas we start to reach after 1.7 km the chapel of St. Paul at 1775m altitude, where it is the highest point of the race. So in the first 12.4 km we have recorded an altitude of 1480m+. After the Control Point of the summit of Ap. Pavlos we descend by the same route for 1.7 km, until we reach the double feeding station of Auchena again and we have 7.1 km of path left in a beech forest to finish in the village , at the point where we started 21 km ago.

ROUTE LENGTH: 20.8 km, ROUTE TYPE: Circular, ASCENT (D+): 1570, DESCENT (D-): 1570, MAX ALTITUDE: 1775, MIN ALTITUDE: 762, AVERAGE ALTITUDE: 1208, MOUNTAIN: 71, MN T/HMDR/ASFLT %: 91 / 6 / 3 FIELD DIFFICULTY: 4/5.

In Granitis, there are also two luxury hotels that offer guests a pleasant stay and traditional taverns with delicacies of local production.