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Greece: the Island of Andros Green Heaven in the Northern Cyclades

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Greece: the Island of Andros Green Heaven in the Northern Cyclades Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Email: [email protected] Greece: The island of Andros Green heaven in the northern Cyclades https://www.onfootholidays.co.uk/routes/greece-the-island-of-andros/ Route Summary At a glance 6 nights - but extra nights would enable you to hire a car locally and see more of the island, or do more walking using the excellent walking map supplied. How much walking? Full days: 11 to 21 km (4-6½ hrs) walking per day Using shortening options: All walks can be shortened using our local taximan Stelios. Max. Grade: page 1/9 Andros is one of the islands in the northern Cyclades which tends to be overlooked by the traveller; for a walker this should be remedied, as the well signposted old mule tracks and surprisingly verdant landscapes of the island make for an excellent walking environment. In this our second Cycladic route (the other being Naxos and Amorgos), you are based in the old Venetian capital of Chora, unspoilt and authentically Greek, yet beautifully preserved too. Not for you the crowds of the resort of Batsi; instead the quiet beaches and hills of the south eastern part of the island, all within easy reach of your accommodation. For this route we make use of local buses to take you to the start of each walk (or back from the end); where these fail, our local driver Stelios and his son Dimitris will be on hand to fill in the gaps. And always at hand, the knowledgeable Ariana, who will brief you on the best way to spend your days. We offer not just one but two cross-island walks (for the hardy), one starting at Batsi and the other at the archaeological (Geometric period) site of Zagora, and taking in the monastery of Panachradou on the way back to Chora. Three other shorter walks take you to parts closer to Chora, notably to the eminently swimmable beaches of Korthi and Gialia. This island route is offered from April to the end of November, though we suspect your walking will be limited by the heat in July and August, and your swimming and relaxation likewise increased. Guided day (supplement) with local contact Ariana is a real benefit if you would like to get to know about life on Andros. Can be any walking day but best the Monastery Circuit or Chora-Korthi. 6 nights, but you can choose to stay longer, and hire a car locally if you wish to explore the island more fully. You may wish to visit the adjacent island of Tinos (we can recommend a friendly pension there for you (2 night minimum stay), and again by hiring a car you can explore this unusual island). You might also wish to visit Mykonos, which has flights to the UK and most major European cities. Route Highlights ● The green hills of the most northerly Cycladic island ● Walking across the island in a day on old “kalderimia” ● The quaint streets of the old Venetian capital ● The monastery of Panachradou ● The beaches around Chora ● The 22 mills of the Dipotamata gorge ● Simple, quiet, authentic, and unspoilt ● Guided walking day with Ariana (supplement) page 2/9 We Recommend Hiring a car to extend your stay, to explore the whole island. Consider also linking this route with visits to the islands of Tinos and Mykonos, or even to our other Cyclades route, Naxos and Amorgos (transfer via Mykonos - ask us for advice) Grading Full days: 11 to 21 km (4-6½ hrs) walking per day Using shortening options: All walks can be shortened using our local taximan Stelios. Medium: Generally well marked paths (the island has the European Ramblers' "Quality Trails" certification), though careful attention to our written route directions also required. Easy gradients in the main, some narrow, rather stony paths. Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 600m (500m - 850m) per day. GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for all walking days Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information. When to go The best months to walk: April, May, June, September, October Other possible months: March, July, August, November While you could start in the second half of March, April is the real beginning of our season, and it extends to the middle of November. We say April/May for the flowers, and October for warm seas and autumnal colour. November can be great for walking too, though maybe not for swimming. Mid-June to mid-September will be very hot. Please note: date ranges shown are for a 'normal' year. While Covid-19 restrictions remain, please contact us to discuss your plans and availability. Itinerary page 3/9 Day 1 - Arrival day Arrive in Andros, and be picked up by Stelios and taken to your accommodation on the other side of the island (included). Listed below is a menu of typical walks available on the island. We hope to add to these as time goes by. Allow enough spare days for swimmimg, sightseeing, etc. The walks can be done in any order. If you arrive early enough: The waterfall and the beach – Chora-Apikia-Gialia-Chora. A good first walk, it starts off on an excellent kalderimi up the hill to the north of the town (a relentless 300m climb, so you will get your legs and heart back in trim!), before crossing the stream to the village of Apikia (refreshments, even a swim in a hotel pool). Take a detour to a delightful waterfall before setting off to the lovely beach at Gialia. After a quick up-and-over you are back on the outskirts of Chora at Nimporio beach (sandy) for another swim and a drink in one of many beachside bars. Look out for the imposing white tower of one of the island's dovecotes overlooking the bay. (Easy-medium: 4 hrs, 11km, CUSs 500m) Day 2 - The Monastery Circuit (Chora-Monastery-Chora) This longish day is one of great contrast, starting off in the hills to the north of Chora through the villages of Ipsilou, Lamira and lush Menites before crossing the central valley via an ancient bridge to start the strenuous climb to the Monastery of Panachradou. With luck there will be monks to guide you round, to see this wonderfully sited sanctuary, including the library and the chapel. Walk back down to follow the “Megalos Potamos” (Big River) back through the wetlands to the town. (Medium-hard: 5 hrs, 17km, 800m or easier options) Day 3 - Chora to Korthi Bay A shortish walk, and one definitely worth the effort. Starting in the town, you cross the wetlands to climb the hillside opposite, to reach the village of Sineti. It then heads up the Dipomata valley, famous for its 22 (ruined) watermills, on a well-restored kalderimi, once the main route between Chora and the second town of Korthi. You pass the venetian Kastro, with views to the Aegean for those who want to make the climb, and the seamen’s village of Kochilos (stop for a coffee) before descending to the beach at Korthi – remember to take your bathers. There are cafés in Korthi, and taxis too. (Easy-medium: 4 hrs, 12km, CUss 600m) Day 4 - Zagora to Chora via the monastery of Panachradou This, our alternative cross-island walk, is rather shorter than the other (Batsi-Chora), and apart from the haul up to the monastery contains no major difficulties. After taking the early bus to Stavropeda (we recommend), or asking our taximan Stelios for a lift, walk down to the archaeological site of Zagora, overlooking the sea. After a ramble round the site, your walk back to Chora takes you across pretty countryside to the Monastry of Panachradou. The second leg, back to Chora, follows the same route as the alternative circular walk, down a restored kalderimi to the lush valley of the Megalos Potamos, and ending in the wetlands below Chora. (Medium: 5 hrs, 16km, 500m) Day 5 - Batsi to Chora A monumental route across the island from sea to sea. Start off with a bus or taxi to the resort of Batsi. You climb immediately out of the village to a full 400m above sea level. The views from the path across the old port of Palaeopoli are stupendous, the ancient kalderimi on which you walk appears to be a feat of engineering, and it is with not a little relief that, after a good 3 hrs walking, you round the corner to start your traverse of the island. This is much easier, a gentle descent through the villages of the northern hillside, with views across the valley for most of the way. You descend finally into Chora after a full 6 hours of walking (probably a lot more after rests, diversions, picnic, photocalls etc!), but it is a magnificent route. (Hard: 6 hrs, 21km, CUSs 850m) page 4/9 Day 6 - Free day Treat yourself to a final day to enjoy all this lovely island can offer. Choose from the last walk you've not yet completed or simply laze the day away on the golden sands with the occasional cool dip in the azure waters... simply perfect! page 5/9 Travel Information ARRIVING BY AIR The best airport Athens, followed by Mykonos (2 hr ferries to Andros). Intercontinental flights use Athens. Note that flights to Mykonos tend to start in May and end in October.
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