Cycladic Island-Andros Trail

After your arrival at Athens airport our taxi driver will take you to the port of Rafina, from where you depart in the late afternoon to Andros. The ferry crossing is app. 2 hours. After your arrival in the port of Gavrio you travel by local bus in app. 1 hour to Ormos Korthiou. The public buses on the island connect with the arrival times of the ferry.
Upon arrival you will receive a welcome package that includes a small pruner and gloves, in order to contribute to activities of the voluntary organization ‘Andros Routes’ and help optionally with the maintenance of the trails during your walks by cutting back vegetation on the side of the paths.
In case your flight arrives after 14.30 hrs, we advise you to book an additional night before the arrangement starts in Rafina or in the village of Mati, 5km from Rafina, or in Athens. In that case, you travel on the morning ferry to Andros. 

The walk starts at a monastery that is situated high up a cliff near the west coast of Andros. You walk via walled paths that provide shadow in some sections. You pass through quiet and interesting hamlets and throughout the walk you enjoy panoramic views on the wide valley of Korthi and, the more you continue eastwards, the sea at the far horizon.
A short section is via a dirt road, but most of the walk is via old footpaths that were once the only connections between the villages. In the villages you walk sections on a tarmac road. The route is mostly hilly, with ascents and descents, but without too many height differences.

Challenge: 3 hours, 8 km / 5 mi, +130m ascent, -260m descent

Todays’ walk is from Ormos Korthiou to Andros Chora. You follow a great route through the semi-deserted inland of Andros. Outstanding views, tiny, well-hidden villages, old watermills and beautiful stony trails are what you encounter today.
The first part of the route leads you through traditionally cultivated land, that has been made suitable for small-scale farming centuries ago. Then you cross a mountain ridge to go from the valley of Korthi to the even wider valley of Andros Chora. You will have impressive views over this great valley and the white town of Andros Chora. Through forest and orchards you reach the town. Crossing the town you come to the beach of Nimborio where your next accommodation is situated. 

Challenge: 6 / 5 hours, 15 - 14 km / 9 - 8,5 mi, +700m or +530m ascent, -700m or -530m descent

There are a couple of options today. That is also the reason why you could easily book an extra night or two in this location. Andros Chora offers 2 fine museums and is a great town for a stroll and a relaxing coffee in a local café.
In the road book that we supply for your trip, you will find descriptions of two possible walks:

1. Via wide paved paths (kalderimia) and through forest to Apikia, a village situated in a green valley that is famous for its spring water. You descend along cypress hedges to the old Bitsis-tower house and further to the sandy beach of Gialia. Follows a short, demanding climb before you finally descend to the beach of Nimborio.
2. Via great walled footpaths you ascend to the charming villages Lamira and Messaria. You will cross the legendary arched Venetian bridge of Stichiomeni whereafter a steady climb leads you via ancient paved steps to the monastery of Panachrantou at 590m elevation. The monastery appears to be literally clinging to the side of the mountain Gerakonas. The hospitable monks will show you around in this important historical and architectural monument. After a break under the old plane tree, you will descend through the lushly vegetated valley of Livadia towards Andros Chora. The excellent path along the river leads you to the beach of Paraporti; the last section through interesting wetland.
3. With the detailed map and excellent signposted trails, you may select a different route or make a detour based on the supplied route descriptions.

Challenge: 4 / 6.5 hours, 9 - 17.5 km / 5,5 - 11 mi, +400m or +600m ascent, -400m or -600m descent

Today you will go to the west coast of Andros. You first take a local bus or taxi to Messaria or a taxi to Ano Pitrofos further up.
From Messaria you walk to the exceptionally beautiful, verdant village of Menites at its ‘lion’-springs. In the village square you will find many water fountains, considered therapeutic in ancient times. Refreshed you start your demanding climb on the Petalo mountain, followed by the old trading route over the side of the mountain with great views over green valleys, villages and the sea far below. On your way uphill you come through the village Ano Pitrofos. (If you take a taxi to this village, you avoid half of the ascent, 300m, and shorten the walk with 5 km.). Lastly you descend to the charming seaside resort Batsi, where your accommodation is near the fine, sandy beach.

Alternative (recommended in case you didn’t go to Panachrantou yesterday): you make the walk to the Monastery of Panachrantou as under day 4, but you don’t walk back to Chora, but continue to Stavropeda. From Stavropeda you take the late afternoon bus to Batsi or you call a taxi to pick you up. 

Challenge: 6.5 / 5.5 hours, 18.5 - 16 km / 11,5 - 10 mi, +560m or +600m ascent, -600m or -400m descent

You take a taxi to get to the nearby village Remata. Here starts your walk via a shaded, lush, stream bed ascending to the green villages of Arni and Katakilos with their luxuriant vegetation. Via a wide valley with terraced fields you walk to the hills above Batsi. You descend to the village enjoying great views of Batsi and the sea.
Alternative (possible if you didn’t walk via Ano Pitrofos yesterday): take the morning bus to Paleopolis and follow the route above the coast line back to Batsi following the description of the route on day 5.

Challenge:4 hours, 11 / 12 km, +400m ascent, -600m descent

A nice, not too long walk above and parallel to the coast line. On your way you can visit the Monastery of Zoodochou Pigis that looks like a fortress. Further down is the imposing spring at Agios Petros. The walk ends at the enjoyable Beach of Agios Petros where your accommodation is located too.
If the accommodation in Agios Petros is not available, you may stay in nearby Gavrio instead.

Challenge: 4 hours, 11.5 km / 11 mi, +450m ascent, -450m descent

The last day of your Andros Route, you will make a walk in the interior of Gavrio. You walk below the beautifully located village Ano Gavrio and ascend via a pleasant, but steep, path to the summit of a hill. Great views! Then you descend into the valley of Agios Petros and walk past the imposing Hellenistic Tower back to the beach. If you stay in Gavrio, you walk along the coast to your hotel in Gavrio.

Challenge: 3,5 hours, 11 km / 7 mi, +400m ascent, -400m descent

For today there are two options that you need to indicate at the time of booking.

1. You travel back to the port of Rafina for your outbound flight or other arrangement on the mainland or in Athens
2. You travel onwards to Naxos and continue with the arrangement Naxos-Santorini or to Amorgos to continue with the arrangement on Amorgos.

It is always possible to buy a ticket at one of the agencies in the port prior departure on the ferry.