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Andros Route self-guided hike 2024
Travel code: CAWT214I
Tour type: Hiking-medium
Travel type: Self-guided trekking
Area: Cyclades islands
Number of days: 12 (may be shortened or extended)
Day 1

Arrival in Ormos Korthiou

From the airport of Athens you take the public bus to Rafina (40 minutes), there the ferryboat to Gavrio (2 hours) and finally the public bus to Ormos Korthiou, where your arrangement starts. The landlord awaits you at the bus stop and brings you to your accommodation.

Day 2

Along the Epano Kastro to Ormos Korthiou (CA28021x)

The start is the gravel road descending to Dipotamata bridge. Past the bridge you ascend by paths and dirt roads to the castle "Epano Kastro Faneromenis". After a visit to the castle and the Faneromeni chapel you descend through meadows until you meet the kalderimi that takes you through Kochilou village to Ormos Korthiou. A small detour leads you to "Grias to Pidima" beach where the old woman who had betrayed the castle threw herself off the cliff.

walking time/distance: 3h20’ / 9.8km
ascent/descent: 310m / 630m
start/finish: Dipotamata / Ormos Korthiou

Day 3

From Ormos Korthiou to Chora through Exo Vouni and Vrachnou (CA02013x)

You walk along the villages Meso Vouni and Exo Vouni, through old farmlands and wild nature between the mountain ranges of Gerakonas and Rachi. On the way you’ll experience impressive views on the mountains and the sea.
The marked route 5 ends in Vrachnou village, from here you walk on to Chora.

walking time/distance: 6h / 15.1km
ascent/descent: 815m / 775m
start/finish: Ormos Korthiou / Chora

Day 4

From Chora along the Panachrandou monastery to Menites (CA01311x)

You leave Chora and walk past Vrachnou through the Livadia valley to the crossroads ‘Petrias’. From here you ascend by a wide walled path to the inhabited Panachrandou monastery. It’s a hefty walk, but the monastery is worth every drop of sweat! The location is splendid and if you arrive before 2 a.m. the hospitable monks gladly show you the wonderful icons in the church.
After the visit you descend back by the same path until ‘Petrias’, just above the Stolichmeni bridge. You cross the classical arched bridge. Finally an easy ascent to Menites with its famous springs on the square below the church.

walking time/distance: 6h / 14,3km
ascent/descent: 845m / 645m
start/finish: Chora / Menites

Day 5

From Menites via Niborio to Apikia (CA31091x)

You start in Menites and descend gradually to Chora, along the many lovely springs and bridges in the villages Lamira and Ypsilou. Before Chora Niborio you’ll veer to the north and start ascending until you’ve reached Apikia.
Sariza Springs hotel is built around the abundantly sprouting Sariza springs; the water is bottled and sold all over Greece. Just before the hotel you’ll go left for a detour to Pythara: a series of small waterfalls in a charming stream.

walking time/distance: 4h / 11.9km
ascent/descent: 510m / 410m
start/finish: Menites / Apikia

Day 6

From Apikia over the mountain ridge to Arni (CA09301x)

From Apikia you’ll ascend to Vourkoti village; there is a taverna, but we found it seldom open. The walk continues over a long ridge with views to both the south and north ends of the island. From the Profitis Ilias church with the Panagia chapel you’ll have a spectacular view to the sea at the west side.
You walk on to the dispersed village Arni, with several chapels and good springs. Sandy offers two rooms in a historical olive press which she has restored by her own. She also runs an animal refuge so you’ll likely be woken by donkey braying.

walking time/distance: 5h20’ / 14.3km
ascent/descent: 775m / 695m
start/finish: Apikia / Arni

Day 7

From Arni by historical kalderimia to Batsi (CA30041x)

You walk past the dispersed village Arni, by kalderimia, forest paths and gravel roads. Almost continually descending you’ll reach Katakilos, a somewhat livelier village on the west slope. After a break at the café you’ll ascend to the Agia Anna chapel on a small ridge. From the ridge you descend again to Batsi, all the time enjoying the lovely views over the bay.
It’s a relatively short walk, which enables you to take some rest in the charming beach village with lots of facilities.

walking time/distance: 3h10’ / 11.3km
ascent/descent: 235m / 690m
start/finish: Arni / Batsi

Day 8

From Apikia along the Olive Press museum to Paleopolis (CA09321x)

Olive Press MuseumYou start in Apikia. From this lovely village you walk over the barren plateau to Ano Pitrofos. Here you’re well advised to visit the beautiful animal powered Olive Press Museum which awarded as one of the TOP10 museums in Greece and offers a unique museum’s experience! Dimitris, the owner and son of the latest miller, is a civil engineer and he is originated from Pitrofos. He restaured the mill to be ready for use. He’s not present every day, but you may call in advance to arrange a visit. (ALAS CLOSED IN 2021 DUE TO COVID.)
You continue your walk on the paved “roads” over a plateau with spectacular views to the west side of the island. Still on the plateau you veer west and descend to Paleopolis. The walk ends at the museum of Paleopolis (open on Thursdays) above the archeological site.

walking time/distance: 5h / 14.4km
ascent/descent: 700m / 825m
start/finish: Apikia / Paleopolis

Day 9

From the Olive Press Museum to Batsi (CA08041x)

Olive Press Museum AndrosYou start at the animal powered Olive Press Museum in Ano Pitrofos. The museum awarded as one of the TOP10 museums in Greece and offers a unique museum’s experience! Dimitris, the owner and son of the latest miller, is a civil engineer and he is originated from Pitrofos. He restaured the mill to be ready for use. He’s not present every day, but you may call in advance to arrange a visit. (ALAS CLOSED IN 2021 DUE TO COVID.)
After your visit you walk by the historical connecting route to the west side of the island to Ano Aprovatou with taverna “the balcony of the Aegean” (not always open!). From there a historical kalderimi down to Batsi harbour.

walking time/distance: 4h15’ / 13.0km
ascent/descent: 270m / 710m
start/finish: Ano Pitrofos / Batsi

Day 10

Along the Agios Petros village to Gavrio (CA04031x)

The walk starts in the harbour of Batsi, where you can stock up for lunch or have a coffee. You ascend by mountain paths to a plateau. From there yu may make a detour to the inhabited Agias or Zoodochos Pigi monastery which you can visit if properly dressed. Another small ascent and then it’s down again.
You pass the village of Agios Petros with its lovely spring and the tower on the hillside. After the village you descend all the way to the harbour of Gavrio.

walking time/distance: 3h40’ / 10.1km
ascent/descent: 435m
start/finish: Batsi / Gavrio

Day 11

Along the Frousei watermills to Gavrio (CA22031x)

The start of the very varied “watermill-tour” is just past the Agia Irini chapel. You may make an optional detour to the Agios Stathis chapel: a charming church on the slope (20’ extra). Then you walk along the shaded valley past many watermill ruins.
After 2½ hours you'll reach the Amolochos bridge; from there you ascend along paths and dirt roads to the villages Amolochos and Bliometi. In Bliometi the classical tower Gianouli-Dimitri is restaured and again inhabited; you’ll see it from a distance. You keep ascending over a ridge with great views over sea towards the east, until you’ve reached the Stavros chapel; from there you veer to the west. At the Profitis Ilias chapel starts the descent. You’ll pass some more chapels in Ano (“Upper”) Gavrio and continue the descent until the harbour of Gavrio, where the walk ends.
You may end your walk in Bliometi or Ano Gavrio and call a taxi to take you into Gavrio.

walking time/distance: 6h / 17.2km
ascent/descent: 615m / 920m
start/finish: start path 14 / Gavrio

Day 12

Departure from Gavrio

You walk to the harbour and sail back to Rafina.
Should your flight be early, then you sail back the evening before and stay overnight in Rafina (extra cost). The hotel has a shuttle bus service to the airport.