Hiking in Andros

Hiking from Apikia to Stenes and Yialia. Duration about 2 hours.
Apikia is located east of the island and only 7kn from Hora. It is approximately 350 metres above sea level and only 2 kilometres from the sea. This small, well-heeled village has the source of the famous natural spring, Sariza and also very close to a less well known spring which is 2kms away in the grounds of Agia Irini church. Within20 minutes’ walking distance is also the beautiful Ravine of Pithara and close by is the village of Remata which has scenic waterfalls and the large watermill. From the village of Aprikia there is a well maintained paved path which takes you through a beautiful valley which, due to the presence of much water is green and lush. Make sure you visit the charming sea captains’ village of Stenies and admire all the beautiful houses. This village also is the site of the old communal laundry of Pentavrisi which some of the locals still use on a regular basis. Cross the little stone bridge of Leontos to visit the 17th century fortified tower house of Mouvelas. In the same area you are also able to visit the 19th century pasta factory that produced vast quantities of pasta right up until the 1930s and was powered by the largest vertical watermill in the Balkans. The walk ends at one of the beautiful beaches at Yialia where you can recover in the crystal clear waters and snooze on the golden sandy beach.

Hiking from Dipotamata to Pano Kastro and Korthi. This walk that can be done in 4 hours about begins in the village of Syneti and partly follows the old road which was the main connecting road from Hora to Korthi until 1950. Locals call this pathway the ‘stone steps’ and you will soon realise why as after around 800 metres after leaving Syneti the road separates with the main asphalt road to Korthi continuing whilst to the left a paved and well maintained path descends down to the Dipotamata gorge, an area of great natural beauty. Take this path which quite soon will lead you to a small river that flows through the gorge with a stone bridge crossing it. Cross over this bridge into the heart of the Dipotamata gogrge and on the other side the stone steps begin to ascend up the valley again. This narrow gorge valley begins in Exo Vouni and ends at the bay of Syneti and within it are sited 37 watermills which, up until the 1930s, were used by locals to grind their staple diet of barley. As you ascend and come out of the gorge you will pass Pano Kastro on your left, a beautiful Venetian Castle that is well worth visiting. to get there you need to follow the dirt road and take the steps which lead up to the castle itself. After visiting the castle, retrace your steps back down to the pathway that led you up out of the gorge and continue up it until you find yourself in the pretty village of Kochilou. The pathway goes through the village and you should ensure you follow the signs for the footpath until you come out of the village. On exiting the village the pathway descends gently to reach Omos Korthiou,. a seaside village which is in the centre of the municipalaity of Korthi.