Breathtaking sceneries

TREKKING ON AMORGOS

Amorgos is known for its wild and dramatic mountains with herbs and beautiful walking paths;
you will find hiking tracks for all levels. The 7 main paths are marked with signs.

1. Route “The old Strata”

Chora-The Monastery of Hozoviotissa-Kapsala-Asfondilitis-Potamos-Aegiali port

This beautiful walk starts from the historic village of the Chora, passing the imposing Monastery of Hozoviotissa and continues to Kapsala where one finds the Virgin Mary Theoskepasti and immediately after the Byzantine small monastery of St. John Chrysostom. Here is the old ruins, of medieval origins, which was a “hostels” for the army to rest in the old times. Then the path leads to Asfontilitis ( about 2 hours and 20 minutes from Chora) with the old rural settlement, the wells, the rock paintings and the church of St. Nicholas with its special architecture. The Path continues to Oxo Meria where the church of Agias Mamas is and finally through Upper Potamos (Pano Gitonia is situated here) down to the port of Aegiali.

Distance: 20 km, about 4-5 hours
Level: Hard
Supplies: Enough water, something to eat, proper shoes and clothes since it’s a hard mountain route far away from any settlement.

2. Route “Fotodotis”

Chora-Milies-Ag. Irini- Katapola

This easy walk starts from the northern part of the Chora (Vorina), where the path follows alongside the deep ravine, Kato Filladi. Just opposite is the chapel of the Madonna of Fidopotamianis and immediately after the second chapel of the Archangel. Then it cross the area of “Fonias” and arrives at Milies, with lush vegetation and springs and in the old time it was a ceramic workshop here. The path continues through the olive grove of Gialyna to the chapel of Ag. Irini and ends in Katapola.

Distance: About 1 hour
Level: Easy
Supplies: Only a bottle of water since there are a lot of possibilities for provision during the walk.

chora-katapola
3. Route “Itonia”

Lefkes (Ag. Thekla)-Agioi Saranda-Kamari-Kastri (Ancient Arkesini)-Vroutsi-Rachoula-Arkesini (Tower of Ag. Triada)

The walk pursues a cultural journey of 4000 years as the path linking the two ancient cities Minoa and Arkesini. The name of the path refers to the rural feast in honor of Athena Itonia. The path pass the important archaeological sites of Minoa and Arkesini (Kastri), Rachoula and the Tower of Agia Trianda, canyons and beaches (Foinikies – Ag.Saranta – Tyrokomo) and chapels (Ag.Thekla – Ag. Forty – Ag.Nikolaos Kamari) with Byzantine frescoes (frescos).

Distance: About 3 hours
Level: Medium
Supplies: Only a bottle of water since there are a lot of possibilities for provision during the walk.

4. Route “Melania”

The port of Aegiali-Langada-Stroumbos-Panagia of Epanochoriani-Tholaria

This walk have great cultural interest and beautiful views over the bay of Aegiali. In the area of Langada are the old windmills, the ravine of Araklis and the church of Panagia Epanochorianis. On the hill of Vigla near by Tholaria, was the acropolis of ancient Aigiali. Today remains the ruins of the wall, statues and tombs of the Early Cycladic and Middle Cycladic period.

Distance: 4,5 km about 2 hours
Level: Easy
Supplies: Only a bottle of water since there are a lot of possibilities for provision during the walk.

5. Route “Pan”

Lagkada-Agios Ioannis-Stavros-Krikelos

This impressive path is full of wild beauty with dramatic mountains. The path leads to the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos and to the chapel of Stavros, above the old bauxite mine. The walk ends up at the highest point of Amorgos (821 m), Krikelos or Kroukelos, with a view which embraces the whole island and the blue Aegean Sea. The area is a part of Natura 2000.

Distance: About 2-2½ hours
Level: Hard
Supplies: Enough water, something to eat, proper shoes and clothes since it’s a hard mountain route far away from any settlement.

6. Route “Valsamitis”

Katapola-Agios Georgios Valsamitis-Agia Marina-Minoa

This easy walk of natural beauty starts from Katapola and continues to the monastery of Agios Georgios Valsamitis. The area has a variety of wells that flow during periods of rain. On the way back you pass near the church of Agia Marina and ends up in Ancient Minoa, on a hill above Katapola. Today remains the city walls, stadium, gymnasium and temple of Dionysus. On the same hill are ruins that confirm the presence of people on Amorgos from 4000 BC. The area was a cemetery in the Cycladic period and here is the Mycenaean tomb that has the shape of an arc. The walk ends in Katapola at the road leading to the temple of Saint Nicolas.

Distance: 4,5 km about 2 hours
Level: Easy
Supplies: Enough water and something to eat since there is no possibility of provision during the trip.

7. Route “Evangelistria”

Xylokeratidi (Katapola)-Nera-Vigla-Peristeria-Evangelistria

This circular path is passing by the cemetery of Katapola and continues to Nera, an ancient well. Nearby is the church of Ag. Theodori. The walk continue and on the right hand side is Vigla, which has been identified as a significant Cycladic installation. The Path ends at the chapel of Evangelistria, an monument from the early Byzantine period with special architectural features. The entire walk is full of spectacular views toward the natural harbor of Katapola and the surrounding islands.

Distance: 1 hours
Level: Easy
Supplies: Only water

ASFONTYLITIS – PLAKES – XALARA (BEACH)

This is a relatively easy walk until it reach the last part to go down to the beach. It starts from the village of Asfontilitis and follow the path leading to Potamos (Route No. 1) but at one point there is a sign to Xalara and you turn right to follow the sloping path which goes through the area of Plakes and finish at the beach.

Alternatively you can go from Potamos following the Route No. 1 to Chora-Monastery and turn left at the sign to Xalara.
If you want more details for this path just ask in the reception at Pano Gitonia.

Distance: 2½ hours
Level: Easy
Supplies: Enough water and something to eat since there is no possibility of provision during the trip.

THOLARIA (AEGIALI) – MIKRI GLIFADA (BEACH)

It is easy walk which starts from the village οf Tholaria on a sloping path towards north and stops at the beach of Mikr Glifada.

Distance: 40 minutes
Level: Easy
Supplies: Enough water and something to eat since there is no possibility of provision during the trip.
Note: Exposed for strong north winds.

Langada (Aegiali) – Maxos (Windmills)

It is an easy walk which starts from the village of Langada and ends up on the ridge where there are a cluster of ruined windmills. Nearby is the chapel of the Stavros with rare murals. From the top of the ridge it’s a panoramic view of Aegiali and a part of the south of Amorgos.

Distance: 45 minutes
Level: Easy
Supplies: Enough water and something to eat since there is no possibility of provision during the trip.
Note: Exposed for strong north winds.