Traveller Tale: Walking the Andros Trail in Greece

Hiking the ancient Andros Trail in Greece | Sue Simons

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Traveller Tale: Walking the Andros Trail in Greece

O to escape to a (practically) deserted Greek island and spend your days wandering historic trails.

That's exactly what Sue did when she walked the Andros Trail in September. The Andros Trails are an ancient network of paths that have been revitalised as part of a sustainable tourism project. They're on Andros Island, which is part of the Cyclades islands in Greece.

Read on for her tour review of this amazing self-guided walking holiday.

Admiring the view of Andros Island in Greece | <i>Sue Simons</i>

Why did you choose to walk the Andros Trail?

I had been to Crete and walked the Samaria Gorge in the past and loved it. I had walked many times using UTracks in Europe and they were so reliable. I saw the Andros island trip with UTracks and it ticked the boxes for me but then COVID arrived...so it would be a few years until I finally got to walk it.

How did you prepare for your walk?

I used the UTracks staff for advice but largely relied on all the experience I had doing other self-guided trips around Europe, including the full Camino from France to Fisterra.

Hiker on the Andros Trail Self Guided Walk between Batsi and Gavrio

What was the overall trip highlight?

Andros is in the Cyclades but largely unaffected by mass tourism. Walking ancient trails with few others except locals on beautiful donkeys and swimming in pristine waters was wonderful. The views from the top of the challenging mountain tops were worth the trudge!

A challenging section of the Andros Trail in Greece | <i>Sue Simons</i>

The rocky terrain of Andros Island in Greece | <i>Sue Simons</i>

A magical place for an impromptu swim on the Andros Trail | <i>Sue Simons</i>

What was the local cuisine like? Can you describe your favourite food and drink?

I’m mad about Greek salad so I’m easily satisfied. But the quality of Mediterranean tomatoes can’t be beaten. I also loved the grandmothers recipe for meatballs with pure meat and fresh herbs, stuffed zucchini flowers, fresh herb dumplings and of course strong Greek coffee and gorgeous wine.

How challenging did you find the Andros Trail?

The trail was challenging on the two big days of serious ups and downs. The views were worth it but I would never do the trail without poles and decent boots.

Hikers on the beautiful round walk from Gavrio on the Andros Trail

What surprised you the most about your trip?

My first impression when I arrived was that there were relentless dry mountains and I couldn’t see how this was going to be fun! But the walked walks, tiny hidden villages, beautiful springs and lush valleys were a surprise. The views were utterly staggering. The ancient history of this place is captivating.

Andros Island makes for an enjoyable walking holiday in Greece | <i>Sarah Baxter</i>

Andros Trail 5-Star Review

Need further convincing that the Andros Trail is a worthy walk? Read this 5-star review.

"Thoroughly enjoyed this walking holiday in Andros! We went at the start of May and it was a great time to go, with the island carpeted with wildflowers everywhere and looking stunning.

Varied terrain, from green valleys, white-washed hillside hamlets and farm ruins to rugged hilltops, and everywhere you get Andros’s characteristic, very picturesque dry-stone walls and terraces.

Looking down on Korthi on the Andros Trail | <i>Sarah Baxter</i>

The weather was very breezy (I think it’s always a windy island), so great for walking. The trails were the best way-marked I have ever seen - we barely needed to use the very comprehensive app, map and written directions provided.

We only ever saw a handful of other walkers all day, it’s a very peaceful, not very touristy island. Mostly that’s great, but sometimes limits options - eg there was only one restaurant, a pizza place, open in Agios Petros when we stayed there; and a couple of the attractions on route, the oil factory and one monastery, were closed due to Covid.

Walking from Batsi to Gavrio on the Andros Trail Self Guided Walk

The studios and hotels we stayed in were nicer than we expected - spotlessly clean, very well-kept and very welcoming. Would definitely recommend this trip and consider other walking holidays with UTracks." C. Sargent.

> View the Andros Trail Self-Guided Walk

> View all walking and cycling holidays in Greece

Does the Andros Trail in Greece tick all the right boxes for you? Get in touch with our team of active travel experts.

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