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With over 180 kilometres of restored, signposted paths dating back to ancient times, Andros hiking offers a unique experience for all hiking enthusiasts.
The northernmost of the Cyclades Islands, our beloved Andros is an island of unparalleled beauty.
It’s where mountain slopes covered with olive trees alternate with tranquil whitewashed villages, and green valleys with running waters rest idly alongside the most spectacular beaches imaginable.
The best part is that all these natural wonders can be explored on foot via a wide network of ancient Andros hiking trails.
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Where Is Andros Island?
Andros is the northernmost and second-largest of the Cyclades Islands, the most quintessential cluster of islands in the Aegean Sea. The island’s mountainous landscape makes it ideal for hiking.
How To Get To Andros
There’s no airport in Andros. You can reach the island only by ferry from Rafina Port near Athens Airport. The ferry ride from Rafina to Andros takes two hours.
Andros port is in Gavrio, a 15-minute drive from Batsi and a one-hour drive from Chora.
Andros is well-connected to the nearby islands of Tinos and Mykonos. Our guide on which Greek islands to visit will help you plan the best island-hopping itinerary.
The best way to check out ferry routes and schedules to Andros, as well as to book your tickets online, is through Ferryhopper.
How To Get Around Andros Island
When you’re not hiking, the best way to get around Andros is by driving.
However, if you plan to visit Andros mostly for hiking, the public transport is a great option. The KTEL Bus takes you to all the main towns and villages where you can start or end your hike.
Check out Andros bus routes and timetables here.
Where To Stay in Andros
When planning a hiking trip to Andros, choosing the best place to stay depends on the trails you are interested in.
The three main towns with the most accommodation options are Chora, Batsi and Gavrio.
If you’re visiting Andros for the first time, we recommend staying in Chora, as it’s a year-round town with many dining and drinking options and many hiking trails start from there.
When Is The Best Time To Go Hiking in Andros?
When planning your trip to Greece for hiking, the best months are March to May and September to November. The same goes with Andros, which enjoys relatively mild weather year-round.
Winter is not recommended because trails can become slippery and dangerous due to rain and, rarely, snow.
On the other hand, summer is too hot, and the scorching sun is the worst hiking companion.
What Makes Andros Hiking Special?
Unlike nearby Mykonos and other famous Cyclades Islands, Andros is a laid-back haven of unspoilt nature and authentic ambience.
On top of that, Andros is home to a wide network of ancient pathways that narrate the island’s history in the most eloquent way, while reflecting the locals’ special connection to nature, one that has forged the island’s unique culture throughout the centuries.
There’s no better way to get to know Andros and its people than walking along the island’s hiking trails.
The same paths locals used to travel from one village to the next in earlier, more difficult times are now restored and ready to take locals and visitors alike on an unforgettable journey through the island’s past, legends, and traditions.
Moreover, Andros hiking amid lush greenery, past singing streams, gorgeous stone bridges, and enchanting ruins is the best way to appreciate the island’s distinct scenery and raw beauty.
There are no words to describe the landscape’s peacefulness, the softness of the island breeze, or the intoxicating scent of Greek herbs you enjoy as you walk.
Andros Routes
Back in 2010, a group of passionate volunteers decided it was time to show the world that Andros is the ultimate hiking destination in Greece.
Therefore, they committed to restoring, maintaining, and marketing the island’s paths. That’s how Andros Routes came to life.
Since then, the team has signposted over 180 kilometres of walking trails, turning hiking in Andros into a fascinating and perfectly safe activity for visitors and locals of all hiking levels.
Impressed by the fabulous work Andros Routes has done, we eventually decided we had to meet these guys.
We contacted Olga Karayiannis, who was more than happy to meet us and chat with us. Olga is the soul of Andros Routes.
Falling in love with the island a few years back, she decided to move there permanently. She now calls home a traditional stone house situated in a tiny village in the mountains.
Right from the start, Olga became aware of the hidden treasure of Andros: its wide network of paths.
The vision she shares with the rest of the Andros Routes team is to preserve Andros’s cultural identity by protecting and promoting the island’s most valuable assets: the natural environment and the man-made landscape.
The ultimate goal is to make Andros an excellent example of sustainable tourism and its benefits.
The Best Andros Hiking Trails
Andros Island is a true hiker’s heaven. With so many walking routes to choose from, hiking is one of the best things to do in Andros.
There are options for all ages and levels, from absolute beginners to advanced hikers. Yet there’s one thing all Andros hiking trails have in common: jaw-dropping scenery.
The 100-kilometre Andros Route
The Andros Route is a continuous 100-kilometre hiking trail that runs the entire length of the island from North to South. This fascinating route has been awarded the Leading Quality Trails certification for two consecutive years.
The Andros 100-kilometre Route can be completed in ten days. During this time, hikers get to spend each night in a different traditional village, tasting handmade delicacies and immersing themselves in the local community.
Best Hiking Paths in Andros For Beginners
Andros hiking is suited to absolute beginners, as long as you stick to some of the network’s easiest routes. We’ve immensely enjoyed all three trails suggested here, and, mind you, we’re not the fittest people on the planet.
1. Route 2a: Apikia – Pithara Waterfalls (15 minutes*)
This is the easiest Andros trail that literally anyone can hike. It’s more of a leisurely walk, to be honest. Route 2a was the first-ever path we hiked in Andros. In reality, it is a detour on the longer Route 2.
Route 2a starts in Apikia, a beautiful traditional village built in the island’s neoclassical style.
As you walk along the signposted narrow trail amid lush vegetation, you hear nothing but the water running from the mountains.
At the end of the trail, the small yet impressive Pithara Waterfalls await. No wonder locals call this area Fairyland.
*You have to walk back to Apikia via the same path; therefore, allow for 30 minutes in total.
2. Route 8: Apikia – Gialia Beach (2 hours)
Route 8 is a fairly easy yet fascinating hiking trail that starts in Apikia Village and ends at Gialia Beach, passing through gorgeous landscapes and impressive ruins.
The route involves walking alongside riverbeds and streams in lush greenery along the Gialia River valley. While hiking, you get to admire stunning views of Stenies, one of the island’s most picturesque villages.
At some point, a small detour brings you to Fabrica, an impressive watermill nestled in the heart of the valley. Most Greek Islands are dry and suffer from a lack of water.
Andros is the exact opposite. There are ten rivers that flow continuously year-round. That’s why the island is home to 240 watermills.
Fabrica, which means factory in Greek, is the largest and most impressive among them and was once used as a grain and pasta factory.
3. Route 15: Gavrio – Agios Petros Tower – Agios Petros Beach (2.5 hours*)
An excellent introduction to the island’s scenery, Route 15 is one of the best hikes in Andros.
The trail begins in Gavrio Port, but we kind of cheated last time we hiked there; we were given a lift to the Tower of Agios Petros and started our descent from there. The keyword here is descent.
Therefore, if you are absolute beginners, you might want to skip the first part of Route 15 and start from Agios Petros Tower too for a super easy yet exciting hike.
This trail gives you the chance to check out the Tower of Agios Petros, one of the island’s main attractions.
Built in the 4th or 3rd century BC, the Tower’s function was probably to control sea and land thanks to its strategic position.
Entrance to the Tower is not allowed, but standing at its foot and taking in the surrounding natural beauty is utterly rewarding. Needless to say, the views of the sea and the plains below are breathtaking.
From then on, the marked path towards the beach is generally easy. There are just one or two spots that require more attention, but nothing too strenuous.
Towards the end of the route, the path runs along the valley that leads to the sandy beach of Agios Petros. There’s no better way to end the hike than a swim at one of the best Andros beaches.
*If you start from the Tower, the hike takes less than 1.5 hours.
Best Circular Routes
More often than not, circular routes are ideal for people who are short on time and want a hassle-free hiking experience.
1. Route 17: Chora – Livadia – Chora (1.5 hours)
Route 17 is an easy hike that lets you wander around the fertile Livadia Valley under the shadow of gorgeous Chora.
The route will take you through citrus groves, imposing cypress trees and quintessentially Greek dry-stone fences.
2. Route A1: Arni 1 Circular (2.5 hours)
The circular Route A1 is a feast of natural charm and quaint traditional architecture. This hiking trail passes through lush vegetation and streams, past picturesque chapels and romantic stone bridges.
3. Route Men1: Menites Circular (1.5 hours)
Walking Route Men1 is a rare opportunity to hike along an ancient path of the utmost natural beauty. The trail starts and ends in Menites, a lovely village with spectacular water springs.
Best Hiking Trails in Andros Over 10 kilometres
Intermediate and advanced hikers are spoilt for choice in Andros. The island’s longer routes are the ones that hide the most precious treasures.
1. Route 3: Chora – Dipotamata – Korthi (4.5 hours)
This exceptional hiking trail offers varied scenery and connects the centre to the southern part of the island.
Route 3 starts in beautiful Chora and ends in laid-back Korthi, passing through the wondrous Dipotamata Valley, dotted with splendid arched bridges and abandoned watermills.
During this hike, you get the chance to catch spectacular views of two of the most impressive beaches in Andros: Tis Grias To Pidima and Syneti.
2. Route 6: Vourkoti – Agios Nikolaos – Achla Beach (3.5 hours*)
Route 6 is the epitome of the island’s raw beauty. From Vourkoti starts a journey through the history of Andros, past century-old monasteries, farmhouses and arched bridges.
The trail ends in Achla, arguably the best beach in Andros.
*There’s no road access to Achla Beach. Keep in mind that you have to walk back a few kilometres to reach the nearest road crossing.
3. Route 14: Gavrio – Ammolochos – Frousei (5 hours)
We saved the best for last. Locals and visitors alike swear by Route 14, considering it the most enchanting hiking trail in Andros.
This long-distance route showcases the island’s diverse scenery, ranging from lush green valleys and running waters to magnificently barren mountain ridges.
We love to hike the Greek Islands and we owe that to Andros hiking for inspiring us to unveil the secrets of the island by walking along its ancient paths.
We hope to add more Greek Islands to our list of the country’s best hiking destinations.
WORDS & EDITING: Maria
IMAGES: Katerina
nice one ! i pin it for my next bucket list 😀 Love
Hey Jess! We’re glad you like it! Thanks a lot 🙂
Wow! This is gorgeous! I will have to pin this to my “Places I’d like to go!” Thank you!
Hi Lauren, it really is an enchanting place and only a 2-hour boat ride from Athens. Put in on your list for when you come to Greece!