Routes on the island
In addition to its wonderful beaches and the classic sight-seeing tourism and other beauties that its villages hide, Andros also offers visitors the option of alternative tourism with walks on almost the entire island. You can try it yourself or choose one of the guides who will take you to the place you want. Such guides can be found in the non-profit organization “Center of Contemporary Research & Action for Andros” which has developed a project, “Andros Routes” for the repair and mapping of old paths in Andros and organizes walks in combination with care and maintenance. The walks last from two to six hours and those who come along visit beautiful places, often passing through villages. Of course, when you arrive on the island, you will find that there are many organized tours from agencies such as Xtreme Greece or Trekking Andros and others, which you can contact to enjoy one or more of the dozens of unique routes that the island offers.
However, you can do some simple routes yourself by following the special markings – as we did.
First we went down the path from the mountain village of Vourkoti at about 650 meters altitude to its arched bridge, over the river Achlas. The special, unspoilt, natural beauty along the gorge and the desire to relax in nature was our guide as the distance was short and the route marked.
Achlas has its sources in the two highest mountains of Andros, Kouvara and Zenio, creating countless waterfalls and ponds; it passes through Vourkoti and falls into the homonymous beach. Achla beach is considered one of the most beautiful on the island, but the walking distance is long; about 10 kilometers. Vourkoti is the most mountainous village, not only on Andros but also on the Cyclades. In summer with the etesian winds, the meltemia, all four seasons can pass over it within a 24-hour period.
The next day we went to the Pythara waterfall. The path from Apoikia is very beautiful. The route, which is pleasant and shady, lasts 15 to 20 minutes. You breathe in nature, its scents. On the way, you eat figs and berries. In front of us there were other hikers, some were on their way back. “Is there somewhere to swim?” I ask. “There isn’t enough water to swim in,” they reply. We surrender to the beauty of nature. The flowing river and the small pools filled by mini waterfalls, the rocks and the wild vegetation. In the winter, when it rains, I think there is probably more water that flows down quickly and forms waterfalls, as well as different currents that change the landscape.
We started the third route to Gerolimni at 19.00. I turned on the GPS. It is just after Vourkoti if you come by car from Chora. “We’re going down guys” “Steep left turn” says the voice on the GPS”. Here is a car. We stop for information. “Did you go to Gerolimni?” “Yes. You leave the car a little further down and then walk” “About 40 minutes” “You won’t go right on the other side. We followed the sound of the river. Better come early tomorrow.” It’s late; it’s time to go back… Now everyone’s gone…” The next day in the morning we put on our sports shoes and headed down.
In the evening Mr. Pantelis informed us: “It is a nice walking route. If you didn’t live here (in Vourkoti) I would advise you to leave the car at the monastery of Agios Nikolaos. From there you would follow route 6 to Vourkoti. But considering that you are already here so leave the path after the Achla bridge and walk parallel to the river upwards. The distance from the bridge is no more than 30 minutes,” he tells us. Vourkoti is the meeting point between routes 2 and 6. 2, 2a goes to Katakalaiou, Chora and Apoikia and 6 to Agios Nikolaos Monastery and Achla Beach. I follow both paths a day apart; I did npt want to burn myself out. I won’t drive 9.5 kilometers to get to Achla beach. I will find another way.
Gerolimni is like taken straight out of a fairy tale. It is one of the most beautiful places on the island, a natural wonder of the Cyclades. Island beauty with green landscape, running water, exciting path: well worth your visit.
Marni Hadjiemanouil
