Beach of Gria to Pidima

The Beach of Gria to Pidima is one of the most characteristic and popular beaches of Andros on the southeast coast of the island. It attracts the eyes of many not only for its uniquely beautiful sandy beach but also for its name and the myth it carries.

The Beach of Gria the Leap is located in southeastern Andros very close to Korthi. It is about 38 km from the port of Gavrio and 23 from the capital Chora. Despite its huge popularity – due to the characteristic huge rock that rises a few meters from the sand – the beach is considered quite hard to find and inaccessible. The signage for the drivers is helpful but things are difficult for those who have not visited it in the past.

Due to the peculiar route through narrow alleys of the Bay of Korthio but also the morphology of the area. It should also be emphasized that even though the Beach of Gria itself, the leap with its turquoise crystal clear shallow waters is ideal for families, its approach is difficult. The height of the road includes a short descent down the slope following a path for about 5 minutes.

How will you get there?

More specifically, by reaching Korthio Bay and driving north along the coastline, you reach the small port of Vintzii. The Beach of Gria the Leap is located east of Ormos Korthiou behind the church of Agia Aikaterini. At the crossroads to the settlement of Rogos – where the church of Panagia with the famous iconostasis – continue for a few more meters straight.

Note that the last sections of your route include a fairly passable dirt road. The beach is on your right. All you have to do is find the path that will lead you to the famous beach. It is probably worth it for hiking enthusiasts and the choice of the walking route. From Gialos through Agia Aikaterini the natural environment that separates the two bays is extremely beautiful.

The beach of Gria the leap | Myth … 15 meters high

Not a few people wonder how the famous beach got. How it came to be a trademark of Andros with such a characteristic name. There is no definitive explanation however we will mention at this point some versions of the myth leaving the reader to choose. The dominant narrative includes another well-known attraction of southern Andros, the so-called Pano Kastro or Kastro tis Faneromeni or Gria to Kastro.

It is located high above the village of Kochylos. In the Castle, which is approached through a path from the village of Kochylos, there are many ruins of houses and temples as well as the church of Faneromeni. What is probably worth more is the stunning view of the Aegean Sea. The imposing landscape of the south side of the island gives you the climb to the plateau of the Castle.

As it is easily understood, Gria has given her name to two popular places in the area. The Castle of Kochilou was the most powerful medieval city of Andros. It was built on an impressive plateau north of the Beach of Gria the leap and has an altitude of 600 m. It was considered impregnable due to the high rocks that served as its natural protection and its high wall.

The legends behind its name

During the Turkish occupation, the legend says that the conquerors could not take it and so they resorted to fraudulent means. They sent an old woman to the Castle with her pregnant daughter to ask for help. At night, however, the old woman opened one of his gates. So the Turks managed to enter but also to slaughter the inhabitants who had taken refuge in it for protection. Then the old woman felt great shame, regretting the harm she caused. He climbed a high cliff and committed suicide by jumping into the sea. At the spot where it fell, it was petrified.

According to the locals, the tall characteristic rock in Paralia Tis Grias, the leap if seen from a certain point of view, reminds the profile of an elderly woman who wears her characteristic handkerchief.

Another legend states that the Turks were chasing an old woman and she desperately climbed the rock in question. He preferred to commit suicide rather than fall into the hands of the conquerors.

A third less popular version says that the old woman jumped off the rock as she was found a widow for the third time. She could not bear the loneliness and wanted to end her life.