When most people picture the Cycladic islands, they imagine barren, sun-baked landscapes dotted with iconic blue and white architecture. But Andros is a magnificent, wild exception. Bursting with lush green valleys, gushing waterfalls, ancient forests, and high mountain peaks, Andros is an island made for walking.
Here at Andros Trails, our mission is to help you discover the rugged, mountainous side of our beautiful island. At the heart of this effort is an incredible network of ancient pathways maintained by the Andros Routes organization.
Whether you are a casual walker looking for a shaded afternoon stroll or a seasoned trekker seeking a multi-day European adventure, the Andros Routes offer an unparalleled journey through time, nature, and Greek culture. Here is everything you need to know about the history, the monumental 100km continuous trail, and the best hikes this award-winning network has to offer.
The Seed of an Idea: How Andros Routes Began
Long before paved roads and cars dominated the landscape, Andros was connected by a vast, intricate web of stone-paved paths and mule tracks. These routes were the absolute lifelines of the island. They connected remote mountain villages with fertile agricultural terraces, bustling ports, watermills, and hilltop monasteries. However, by the late 20th century, modern roads replaced the old ways. Left unused, these magnificent paths were swallowed by nature, lost under thick thorny brambles and largely forgotten.
The Andros Routes project officially began around 2009 and 2010, spearheaded by the Andros Research Center and visionary locals, including sustainable tourism expert Olga Karayiannis. The idea actually sparked during an oral history project. Researchers were interviewing the island’s elders about life in the 1950s, and they kept hearing vivid, nostalgic stories of these ancient “highways.”
Inspired by these tales, a small group of locals started exploring the overgrown valleys. They quickly realized the sheer scale of the fantastic historical resource lying hidden beneath their feet. The vision became clear: to revive these ancient paths, preserve the island’s cultural heritage, and promote sustainable tourism that respects the environment.
A Deeply Personal Connection for Andros Trails. This trail network holds a profoundly special place in our hearts. Dimitiris here at Andros Trails was involved in the Andros Routes project from the very beginning.
Armed with nothing but hand tools, thick gloves, and a fierce love for the island’s heritage, we spent countless hours clearing overgrown vegetation, uncovering hidden cobblestones, and painting the first waymarks to breathe life back into these ancient walkways. We know these mountains and trails intimately because we were there in the dirt, helping to bring them back to the light.
Today, this grassroots initiative thrives thanks to the “Route Angels”—a dedicated community of local and expat volunteers who each “adopt” a specific section of the trail to clear seasonal overgrowth and maintain signposts. Thanks to this community, there are now over 240km of fully signposted, accessible hiking trails on Andros!
The Crown Jewel: The 100km Certified “Andros Route”
What started as a local volunteer effort transformed into a globally recognized triumph. By October 2015, the project achieved a monumental milestone. A continuous 100km hiking trail crossing the island from north to south—dubbed the “Andros Route”—received the prestigious “Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe” certification from the European Ramblers Association.
Andros was the very first island in Europe to receive this distinguished certification, putting it on the map as a premier global hiking destination.
What to Expect on the 100km Route
The 100km Andros Route is an epic, continuous journey that crisscrosses the island’s mountain ranges. It is designed to be completed in 10 consecutive daily stages, offering a deeply immersive travel experience:
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A Journey From North to South: The route begins in the northern heights near Frousei and Gavrio, winding its way down through the mountainous spine of the island, passing through lush Arni, the highest ridges of Vourkoti, the capital town of Chora, and finally ending in the southern region of Ormos Korthiou and the dramatic Dipotamata gorge.
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Village Hopping: The beauty of this long-distance trek is that you don’t need to camp in the wilderness. The stages are mapped out so that hikers can stay the night in different traditional villages. You get to enjoy local tavernas, sleep in comfortable guesthouses, and experience the unique culinary flavors of each specific region.
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Changing Landscapes: In just one day of walking, the terrain can shift dramatically. You might start your morning navigating a steep, rocky, arid mountain pass with sweeping views of the Aegean Sea, and by the afternoon, find yourself walking under a dense canopy of trees alongside a flowing river.
Main Attractions: The Magic Along the Trails
Hiking the Andros Routes is a masterclass in history and ecology. Because Andros is uniquely blessed with abundant groundwater, the landscape is incredibly vibrant. Here is what you will encounter:
1. The Valley of Watermills
As you hike, you will walk alongside ancient irrigation channels and cross beautifully preserved arched stone bridges. The trails guide you past the ruins of many of the island’s 269 recorded historical watermills. In the past, these water-powered mills were the industrial heart of the island, grinding grain into flour. Today, their ivy-covered ruins look like something out of a fairy tale.
2. A “Handmade” Landscape
The steep mountain slopes of Andros have been tamed by centuries of human effort. You will walk past breathtaking dry-stone terraced hillsides (known locally as emasies). These incredible feats of rural architecture allowed locals to farm the unforgiving terrain and are a testament to the resilience of the islanders.
3. Monasteries and Fortresses
The network connects hikers to some of the island’s most important cultural monuments. You can hike up to majestic religious sites like the 10th-century Monastery of Panachrantou, which clings to the cliffside offering panoramic views, or visit ancient Venetian watchtowers that once guarded against pirates.
Recommended Hikes by Andros Trails
With over 240km of trails to choose from, deciding where to start can be overwhelming. As local mountain experts, here are a few of our absolute favorite recommendations for day hikes:
1. Route 14: The Frousei Watermills
If you want to experience the lush, untamed wilderness of Andros, this is the trail for you. This route takes you deep into the Frousei valley, which has been largely uninhabited for decades. You will walk alongside a trickling river under a dense canopy of trees, passing the picturesque ruins of more than a dozen historic watermills. It is a deeply peaceful, shaded hike that perfectly showcases the island’s abundant water sources.
2. Route 3: Chora to Dipotamata Gorge
This is a spectacular, dramatic hike. Starting near the elegant capital of Chora, you will eventually descend into the magnificent Dipotamata gorge. This deep, echoing ravine is an ecological paradise and features a beautifully preserved, wide stone-paved path that zigzags down to a river crossing at an ancient arched bridge. The sheer scale of the gorge walls makes you feel incredibly small in the best way possible.
3. Route 17: Chora – Livadia Circular
If you are looking for an easier, culturally rich afternoon stroll, we highly recommend this circular route. Starting in Chora, it takes you through the flat, fertile lands surrounding the capital and through the village of Livadia. You will walk past grand, historic neoclassical estates surrounded by high walls, where citrus and cypress trees grow in abundance. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the wealth and history of Andros’s prolific shipping trade era.
4. The Arni Circular (Route Ar1)
Located high up in the mountains, the village of Arni is often shrouded in mist and boasts some of the densest vegetation on the island. This circular route provides a challenging but highly rewarding trek through ancient oak and chestnut forests, natural springs, and sweeping mountain vistas that will make you forget you are on a Greek island altogether.
Experience the Mountains with Andros Trails
At Andros Trails, we believe that the true soul of Andros can only be understood on foot. The visionary volunteers of the Andros Routes project have laid the magnificent foundation, and we are here to help you experience it safely and fully.
Whether you want to challenge yourself with sections of the 100km certified route, explore hidden waterfalls, or simply enjoy a guided day hike to learn about the island’s rich biodiversity and history, we have the local expertise to make it happen.
Ready to lace up your hiking boots and step off the beaten path?
Explore our mountain activities, get in touch and let us show you the Andros we know, built, and love.