Hiking trails in Andros

Hiking trails in Andros are among the best in Europe. Andros has a rich network of hiking trails, in many cases, it is paved. This network connected the settlements with each other, with places of worship, and with the ports of the island. From the mid-20th century and when the car gradually became dominant, it restricted their use. The hiking trails in Andros were in many cases ‘cut’ or replaced by carriage roads.

Andros still has a very extensive network of hiking trails that are estimated to be over 300 km in length. The accessible network now stands at about 200 km.

The hiking trails in Andros are systematically maintained by the Andros Routes Group and volunteers from all over the world.

It is easy to understand why hiking trails in Andros are so connected to the minds of the visitors. Andros is a special island of the Cyclades with plenty of water resources, mountains, and extremely varied scenery. Small forests, fertile valleys, numerous beaches, streams, waterfalls, and springs on almost every hillside and slope.

The continuous human presence left visible signs even on the most rugged slopes of the island, shaping the stone with a basic material, a landscape largely handmade. The variety of rural architecture is impressive, stone walls, land terraces, olive presses, and threshing floors. 

Over 200 recorded watermills, 69 windmills, several bridges, and hundreds of chapels are scattered all over the island.

Andros Hiking – A cultural gift to the island

Andros Routes is an effort to combine research and actions for the environment, culture, and sustainable tourism development of Andros. The main actions of Andros Routes are the recording, maintenance, and promotion of the old hiking routes and also the recording of oral history.

The main objective is to involve residents, local bodies, researchers, visitors, and tourism entrepreneurs in this effort. The whole project relies mainly on the voluntary work of researchers and members and the support of private individuals and institutions.

Hiking trails in Andros will truly amaze you!

Texts – Photos – Maps: Andros Routes