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Naxos Strada self-guided 2024
Travel code: CNWT214I
Tour type: Hiking-medium
Travel type: Self-guided trekking
Area: Cyclades islands
Number of days: 10 (may be extended)
Day 1

Arrival on Naxos, walk Chrisostomou (CN01011c/GR00299)

A short walk, very suitable for the end of the afternoon.
You start in Chora harbour and ascends through the village to the east. You pass the neighbourhood Grotta, where hotel Grotta is situated. Where the asphalt road starts winding upwards, you take shortcuts by cattle paths. You visit the Agios Ioannis Theologos chapel and then the Chrisostomou monastery, a still inhabited nunnery with a pretty church.
You descend along meadows and meander through the alleys of Chora until you've reached the harbour.

walking time/distance: 1h45’ / 4,9km
ascent/descent: 170m
start/finish: Naxos town (Chora)

Day 2

Circular walk Demeter temple (CN02021a/GR00298)

A walk to explore the south of the island, which is not in the Naxos Strada.
You descend past the village Sagri (with taverna) to the temple of Demeter (Dimitra), mostly on paths. You may visit this archeological site .
From the temple you ascend back in the direction of Chalki. The detour to the deserted Kaloritsa cave monastery is really worth-while! Along the Bazeos tower you return to the bus stop near Damalas.

walking time/distance: 4h15’ / 12,8km
ascent/descent: 370m
start/finish: Damalas

Day 3

Walk Plaka – Vivlos – Chalki (CN03051x/GR00300)

The first stage of the Naxos Strada.
You start along a beach road. The taxi usually makes it until the start of the path; this saves you 1km. You walk through cane fields towards the innerland, whilst admiring the rock formations of Paliopirgos. From the river bed the ascent starts by an old path until the rock church Agios Nikolaos. Here the plateau starts. You proceed by country roads along several churches until you've reached the village Vivlos, dominated by a couple of old windmills.
From Vivlos you ascend again by country roads and paths until the asphalt road near holiday park Mandilares Village. Now you'll descend along the 11th century Agios Mamas church until a stream bed. Here again an ascent towards the villages Kato and Meso Potamia. Past the villages you ascend even more to the Apano Kastro (Upper Castle), which you'll see above you. Here is the highest point of today's walk. You descend again along the hamlet Tsikalario until you've reached the lively village Chalki. In the village you may visit the Kitron distillery, a local liqueur.
Apart from the cane fields there's not much shadow on this stage.

walking time/distance: 
5h15’ / 15,3km
ascent/descent: 545m / 275m
start/finish: Plaka / Chalki

Day 4

Walk Chalki – Filoti – Apiranthos (CN05071x/GR00301)

You’ll start through the alleys of Chalki village. At the church and bus stop you cross the asphalt road and leave the village. You’ll pass the next village Metochi and arrive in Filoti, with several tavernas and cafees on and near the square.
You leave the village by streets and a path until you've reached the asphalt road and the Agia Marina chapel. You descend along a shadowed stream valley to Danakos, a somewhat sleepy village. From there you ascend again to the Fotodotis monastery, which looks like a castle. You keep on ascending with lovely views over the meadows and back to the monastery. The last stretch until Apiranthos is more or less even. You often walk in the shade.

walking time/distance : 4h45’ / 12,6km
ascent/descent: 695m / 370m

start/finish: Chalki / Apiranthos

Day 5

Circular walk Filoti – Zas top – Filoti (CN06061c/GR00306)

By a stretch of asphalt and then paths you descend out of Filoti until you're at the asphalt road near the Agia Marina chapel. Here the walk starts towards Zas summit. This stretch is not too strenuous. although is may be quite hot on the exposed slope, and very worth-while for the views.
You descend along Zas cave and the Aria spring; this is quite a hefty descent on rocky terrain. Then you enter Filoti village again: time to relax on the square.

walking time/distance :
4h30’ / 9,6km
ascent/descent: 640m
start/finish: Filoti

Day 6

Walk Apiranthos – Moni – Koronos (CN07091x/GR00302)

You leave the village Apiranthos and soon the ascent starts, with great views over Apiranthos, the windmill ruins and the sea. You reach the 'Fanari' plateau and here the view changes inland, towards Moni and Sifones. You descend to Moni village and then ascend again, past a chapel. This alternation of descent and ascent is repeated several times. You pass the agricultural hamlet Kadi.
En route you may often enjoy lovely views over the mountaneous inland of Naxos that you cross. Enjoy the peace and quiet!

walking time/distance : : 5h30’ / 13,5km
ascent/descent: 750m / 840m

start/finish: Apiranthos / Koronos

Day 7

Walk Koronos – Lionas (CN09101x/GR00303)

Todays walk is relaxed and mostly downhill. From the village Koronos you walk through a lovely stream valley to the beach hamlet Lionas. You often walk in the shade.
In Lionas is a quiet beach and a cosy taverna: great for a relaxed afternoon! You’ll be taken back to Koronos.

walking time/distance : 2h30’ / 6,7km
ascent/descent: 105m / 610m

start/finish: Koronos / Lionas

Day 8

Walk Koronos – Komiaki – Apollonas (CN09111x/GR00304)

From Koronos you first descend into the valley by paths and then follow the valley up to Skado. Next to the path you find some panels with information about the scenery. From Skado you have a small stretch of asphalt with sea view, then again an ascending path up to the saddle. From there you descend into the watermill valley, a shadowed route with lots of little streams. You may visit some of the watermill ruins.
Then you ascend again to Komiaki cum Koronida, you'll find an grill taverna annex cafe annex minimarket here.  You ascend through the village until the Mycenean Tomb. From there you descend again and then traverse to Apollonas, at first quite level and then downhill. The scenery is stony and barren, with almost constantly sea view.
In Apollonas you make a small detour and then enter the village at the sea front. Following the esplanade you'll reach your hotel.

walking time/distance : : 4h45’ / 12,9km
ascent/descent: 415m / 930m

start/finish: Koronos / Apollonas

Day 9

Circular walk levada – kouros (CN11111a/GR00305)

It's a short walk, but certainly worth-while.
You ascend through Apollonas village and veer off along a water gully. After crossing the asphalt road the gully turns into a kind of levada: a level path along the water with lots of flowers. The levada ends at the spring, which is a bit disappointing because it's drained. You ascend to the asphalt road which you follow until the paved path towards the Kouros.
This 10.7m high statue weighs 80 ton and lies unfinished in the quarry. You proceed to the top with an ancient inscription in the rock. Then you descend back into the village.
You may extend this walk with a circular walk along the slopes of Sikala and past Wild Beach.

walking time/distance : 1h / 2,4km
ascent/descent: 130m
start/finish: Apollonas

Day 10

Departure from Naxos (CNV)

After breakfast your arrangement ends. You’ll be taken to the harbour or airport.
Had you booked an extension, f.i. for one or more of the extra walks, you’ll be brought to your extension hotel. (If not in Chora, a surcharge may be applicable.)

Day 11

Optional extra circular walk Apollonas-Sikala-Wild Beach (CN11112a)

You may use this walk as an extension for the walk of day 9, or use it for an extented stay.
You ascend through Apollonas village by the asphalt road. After 750m you leave the asphalt and start the ascent by country roads along the mountain flank through "Sikala". Indeed lots of "sikia" or fig trees prosper on the slope! The last 1300m of the descent are by a cattle path through rough terrain until you've reached the asphalt road again.
Via stony "Wild Beach" you return to Apollonas village.

walking time/distance: 3h / 6,7km
ascent/descent: 280m

start/finish: Apollonas

Day 12

Optional extra walk Apiranthos – amaril mines – Moutsouna (CN07081x)

Transportation to the start and from the finish by public bus or taxi, from Filoti or Chora.
From Apiranthos you descend through a valley. The first two kilometers offer shadow, then you ascend over open grounds to the Agia Kyriaki church. The church dates back until the 7th century and contains unique icons. From June until end September on Wednesday and Saturday somebody will be next door with the key, otherwise you may only admire the chapel from the outside.
You descend again until a shadowed spring, a lovely spot for a break. Past the spring you continue the descent until the old asphalt road, constructed for the emery mines. You ascend a bit along the old buildings and cable car constructions until you've reached the mine entrances. Here you traverse the slope with often sea views. There are some vertigo prone stretches and a clatter of some meters to reach the road again. If you don't feel up to this, you may also follow the macadam road to this point.
At the next mine buildings you leave the road again and descend further towards Moutsouna. In this little harbour village the cable car line stops. At the sea front you may enjoy a drink or a (fresh fish) meal.

walking time/distance : 4h15’ / 12,8km
ascent/descent: 160m / 760m

start/finish: Apiranthos / Moutsouna

Day 13

Optional extra walk Kinidaros – terrapin pond – Eggares (CN12131x)

Transportation to the start and from the finish by public bus or taxi, from Chora.
The walk starts in Kinidaros, the village with the most dancers and singers of Naxos. From the square you leave the village uphill by paved steps and a small stretch of asphalt road. Then you descend by country roads and paved paths, passing an old marble quarry.
At the river you pass under the bridge and continue through the lush green river valley. You pass some watermill ruins, a stone arched bridge and a romantic pond with terrapins. Other remarkable items on the way are an old 4-arched aquaduct and the Pradouna tower.
The walk ends in the village Eggares, where you'll find several tavernas and shops for lunch. Next to the imposing church is a restaured olive press which you may visit for free. The owners also host a shop with olive and olive wood products and a cafe. You may continue 240m by the asphalt road to admire a marble bridge.

walking time/distance : 2h45’ / 7km
ascent/descent: 60m / 445m

start/finish: Kinidaros / Eggares

Day 14

Optional extra circular walk Potamia – Kouroi – Melanes – Potamia (CN15151a)

Transportation to the start and from the finish by public bus or taxi, from Filoti or Chora. As it’s a circular walk, you may also use a rental car.
You start in Ano Potamia, cross the hill to find the Kouros Faraggiou on the other side. The statue is lying on the ground, only one foot is still in place. Then you descend to the Kouros Fleriou. At the parking you take a path and walk along fields of prickly pears to the village Myloi and on to the bigger village Melanes. Here you'll find tavernas and a minimarket for your lunch.
Past Melanes you enter the fields again and follow a path around the derelict monastery Kalamitsia. You descend to Kato Potamia, where you pick up route 6 again. Between the three Potamia villages developed quite some variations of this route 6. You ascend through the village and end back in Ano Potamia.
It's a not too strenous and varied trip with lots of things to see on the way.

walking time/distance : 3
3h30’ / 10,2km
ascent/descent: 305m
start/finish: Ano Potamia

Day 15

Optional extra walk Stavros church-Routsouna waterfall-main road (CN20191x)

Transportation to the start and from the finish to be arranged with the accommodation in Apollonas; they’re quite long transfers. You may also take the public bus from Chora to the Stavros church and return to Chora by taxi. It’s a varied walk, use of GPS is advised.
You start at the Stavros church at the junction of asphalt roads and take the descending path into Keramoti. Past the village you descend by paths unitl you've reached Routsouna waterfall. You can not (safely) reach the pool, but you'll have a marvellous view of the waterfall.
Then you ascend with splendid views past bizarre rock formations until the saddle. On the descending plateau is not very clear we recommend the use of GPS, albeit that you may manage if you cautiously follow the paint markings.
At a goat farm you reach a country road. You may follow it for a while to the right to get a view over the deserted village Skeponi and maybe even visit it. Back along the goat farm and then follow the country road down until the Faneromeni artificial lake. Here the asphalt starts and this may be the pick-up location. You may also proceed until the main road.

walking time/distance: 5h / 12,9km
ascent/descent: 225m / 830m

start/finish: Stavros church / Faneromeni artificial lake or main road

Day 16

Optional extra walk Koronida-Anathematistra summit and back (CN16161x)

Transportation to the start and from the finish is to be arranged with the accommodation in Apollonas. As it’s a walk forth and back, you may also use a rental car; then you may do this walk from any accommodation. The summit is also reached via one of the two longer walks CN17111x or CN17161x.
You start and finish in the village Koronida or Komiaki, at a café cum minimarket which is open all and every day. You ascend through the paved streets until you've reached the country road above the village. You follow this road up with lovely views over the north coast. Just past the saddle you continue on a path, slightly ascending, until you've reached the Anathematistra summit. Here you have surround view over Naxos and many neighbouring islands like Paros. You'll take the same way back.

walking time/distance: 2h30’ / 7,3km
ascent/descent: 255
m
start/finish:
Koronida

Day 17

Optional extra walk Agia tower-Anathematistra summit-Apollonas (CN17111x)

Transportation to the start is to be arranged with the accommodation in Apollonas; you end in the village itself.
You start at the Agia tower and monastery; you may visit them before you start the walk. The tower is in danger of collapsing you so won't be able to go in, but during the walk you'll have plenty of opportunities to make photographs. Past the tower the path continues until the monastery and picknick area. Same way back to the asphalt road. All in all it will take you about half an hour.
Then you take the asphalt road west for 300 meters. There an ascending path starts towards the Anathematistra summit. Here you have surround view over Naxos and many neighbouring islands like Paros. You descend and ascend another few meters past a second summit and from there it's all descent. After 4 kilometers you'll reach a country road and thus descend into Apollonas.

walking time/distance: 5h / 12,2km
ascent/descent: 555m / 790m

start/finish: Agia tower / Apollonas

Day 18

Optional extra walk Agia tower-Anathematistra summit- Koronida (CN17161x)

Transportation to the start and from the finish is to be arranged with the accommodation in Apollonas.
This walk starts the same as walk Agia tower-Anathematistra summit-Apollonas (CN17111x), but ends in Koronida. Thus you descend less and end at the café-minimarket where the walk Koronida-Anathematistra summit (CN16161x) begins. Here you may wait for your transport back while enjoying the splendid view over the watermill valley.

walking time/distance: 3h10’ / 7,1km
ascent/descent: 555m / 245m

start/finish: Agia tower / Koronida