Chóra - Lámyra - Strapouriés - Ménites - Lámyra - Chóra

Evaluation: This hike is a variant of the direct hike to Ménites, as it passes by the village of Strapouriés. It also offers you a great view on the broad valleys above Chóra, with beautiful panoramic views on the little town itself. You get to know the marvellous trail of hike no. [9] in the direction of Ano Aprovátou, till the turn to Ménites. In this way you walk through one of the most watery areas of the island, with the wonderful valley of Ménites. All the way long, the monopátia are again some of the most beautiful of the island of Andros. This hike deserves an evaluation of ***.
[Update by Raymond on October the 1st, 2012, by Dany Boute on April the 17th, 2014 and again by Raymond on May the 3rd, 2015.]

Estimated time: To hike to Strapouriés takes about 1h25 of actual walking time and the beautiful part to Ménites will cost you also 1h25. To go back to Chóra via Lámyra, you will walk for about 2 hours (AWT). All together this makes for 4h50 of actual hiking time. The breaks - there are so many beautiful spots to have a rest on this hike! - and the picnic or lunch (for instance in the nice tavern of Pigés Karidhiés in Ménites) will turn this day into a full hiking day of about 7-8 hours. 

Route description
: (0h00) For all hikes leaving from Chóra you have to depart from the main street near the large church of the Panagía tis Kímisis – which is visible from all over this town (for more details you might have a look at the description of the small hike in Chóra itself). Today you should follow the main street to the right (facing the church) and soon you arrive at the big square of Vas. Goulandris, where you find an information sign of Andros Routes. You keep following the pedestrian street (little signs [1], [2], [3], [8a], [17] and [18]!). At the end of this street, after 70 meters, hikes [3], [17] and [18] continue to the left, but you should take a RIGHT here (hiking sign [1] Ypsiloú 2,2 km / Lámyra 3,6 km / Ménites 6,1 km / Messariá 6,8 km / Panachrántou 10,1 km).
You go down on the steps, you cross the asphalt road that descends to Nimborió, and – pay attention – after another 8 steps, you should take a left in a narrow street
[1]. You walk past a staircase on the right and continue to follow the concrete street between the houses for some 5 minutes.

The hiking sign for walk [1] in Chóra.

(0h08) In a slight depression of the street, you go down the staircase on the right, in between two electricity poles (sign and [1]; down at the foot of the staircase, you continue straight on a descending concrete street and you reach in this way the river, which flows into the sea on the beach of Nimborió. If necessary you can cross the river via the wooden bridge [1].   

[Hikers staying near the beach of Nimborió can also leave from the far end of the beach, close to the bridge over the river. You then have to stay on the left-hand side of the river and a little further on you even have to walk in the bed of the river – which is only possible in the dry season. In this way you will also arrive at the large wooden bridge [1].]

(0h11) Past the wooden bridge you go straight ahead [1] and via an earth road you cross the green valley. Strikingly, the valley is full of cypresses and all the way up to the left you can see the dispersed villages of, amongst others, Ypsiloú and Lámyra. About 3 minutes after your departure, you come on a concrete stretch, but, when the little road veers to the right, a clear path starts straight ahead [1]. After some minutes a nice pavement begins and after about 10 minutes, you cross a concrete road, where the path continues straight [1]. Another four minutes later on you cross a small brook by means of an old bridge made out of two flat stones – there was still a lot of water on May the 3rd, 2015.

 

The marvellous path to Ypsiloú, with a bridge built with flat stones.

After another two minutes the trail takes a right near a church with next to it a ruin [1] – mind the flat stones on  the rood and the bended walls!!.

 

Always those beautiful paths to Ypsiloú...

(0h28) A couple of minutes later you get to a beautiful stone staircase, wonderfully shaded – this shade is so characteristic for Andros! Slightly further down you keep left on a cross-trail; you notice a water pipe and a [1]. The following narrow path is really beautiful, but rather steep and it runs between high walls -  a little later, you keep to the right [1]. Some concrete steps announce the village of Ypsiloú; a few minutes later, you turn left [1], following the water pipe. After a nice stretch in between (dry) water-shoots and at the corner of a large house, you keep to the left (there is a [1] on the staircase). You continue between a couple of houses; the path or the steps are made out of concrete and you always proceed in the direction of Ypsiloú - during the last stretch, you should keep to the right on the paved path. You cross an asphalt road and you continue on the opposite side (hiking sign and [1]. First, you reach a little bridge (inscription 1891 of G.K. Empiríkos), immediately thereafter you reach a spot shaded by a large plane tree: over here you can find the old Doubli-source with an inscription from 1818, the "paradosiakí kríni Ipsiloú".

A nice source in Ypsiloú.

(0h43) You follow the paved path and after 1 minute, you keep to the left [1] along beautiful cypresses; your trail zigzags further on, passing some waters-hoots, gardens and citrus trees. After about 3-4 minutes you pass a small bridge from 1929 [1]. After a splendid old staircase, you reach a bifurcation, where you take the steps on the left (sign "PROS LAMYRA"). You then get to another well, a “paradosiakí kríni Ypsiloú” from 1842. You continue straight and descend slowly and – pay attention – , near a double electricity pole, you take a RIGHT (sign Pros Lámyra, a little further a [1]). A little later, you keep to the right of a high white  house ([1] on the staircase) – the left path descends to a church. After a concrete stretch, you go up to the right on a staircase ([1] on the stairs). After a lot of steps, you keep to the left between 2 houses (sign Pros Lámyra and [1]) and you reach in this way the third white source of Ypsiloú: it dates from 1763 and was renovated in 1890 by the famous N.K. Empiríkos.

The inscription on the third source of Ypsiloú.

A little later, you reach a concrete road, which you follow to the left for a short while ([1] on a wall and a pole). Slightly further down, though, on the right of a row of cypresses, you can get to the trail again [1]. You then pass the church of Mesathoúri, you go down to the left and pass another building with abundant wells – there is also a fourth sign “PROS LAMYRA” [1].
You now go up to a very little square: there you take a left for a while
- you get in this way to the bifurcation of trails [1] and [10].

[Walk [1] continues here to the left and below, see e.g. the walk Chóra - Ménites and  Chóra – Panachrántou.]

(1h03) You now leave the route of walk [1] and you go up the stairs, while keeping to the right (hiking sign [10] Strapouriés 750 m). At the end of the staircase, you veer left on a cemented path and you continue while keeping to the left onto a paved lane [10]. You go up, you go to the right at a bifurcation [10], but at the second fork, you take a left [10]. You still go up and arrive down at the retaining wall of a road, you climb the stairs to the left [10] and so you get to a concrete road.

(1h09) You go left for 10 meters [10], but you then climb the stairs to the right, next to some cypresses [10]. You immediately veer slightly to the left, but after 1 more minute, you turn right on a paved street (no mark!). Later on, you still veer right and continue above olive trees and along a beautiful row of cypress trees. You arrive next to an impressive wall surrounding a huge property and you keep to the right [10] following a wide concrete road.

(1h16) Pay attention: when the road veers to the left, you continue straight [10] next to this enormous "palace" in ruins (which is for sale!); you go up to the left of a chapel, you veer left next to a house and you then take a little street to the right [10], which goes up with steps along a row of cypress trees. You wind right and left, you continue to climb amid olive groves, you come next to a house and you finally go left at the end of the stairs ([10] on the steps). After 20 steps, you go to the left and you thus get to the asphalt road.

(1h23) Just opposite and obliquely to the left, begins walk [9], for walk [10] that continues to Evrousés, you should follow the road to the right.

The hiking sign for walks [9] and [10] in Strapouriés.

So you continue obliquely to the left (hiking sign), at the foot of a large rock; you veer right between some houses and soon you reach a nice old trail with beautiful steps. After 3 minutes, you keep to the left ([9] a little later), but a little further, there is a barricade of branches. The beautiful trail continues flatly and as on a balcony above the valley, with nice views of Chóra and the valley.

 

At first a nice climb, then a flat path...

After a little more than 6 minutes, you get for a while on concrete, you cross a small road and the old trail continues straight, to the right of a ruin [9]. Shortly after, you keep to the right at a bifurcation [9] and the nice rocky path climbs gradually between fairly high walls.

(1h35) After 4 beautiful minutes, you pass through a small gate in reinforcing steel [9], you veer left between cypresses [9] and you always go up between walls. You thus walk between nice walls up to the left of the green hill - the view is still beautiful: in the valley you distinguish the elongated village of Messariá, and on the opposite side the monastery of Panachrántou with the villages of Fállika, Kouréli and Sasá (from left to right). Then you begin to descend rather quickly and you arrive in a chaotic river bed because of some subsidences. You go up again and you still follow a nice stretch, gently sloping or flat, mostly next to oaks.

(1h51) At a side trail, you continue straight ahead [9] and after another fine and easy stretch, you come next to a chapel. A minute later, you cross a brook full of water and with lots of water pipes: you continue quietly and after another 6 minutes, there is again a spot with plenty of water, between rocks and under the trees [9].

(2h04) You go up and you follow again a beautiful and flat path with a wide view over the valley.

 

Path [9] to Ménites.

Once arrived in a depression, you continue straight [9] and after 5 minutes, you reach a wide triangular spot between walls: the walk [9] continues here in front, in the right corner.

(2h15) For Ménites, there is another path that continues in the LEFT angle [9b]: it is a wide trail that descends slowly between nice walls, which sometimes have large flat and upright stones.
After 5 minutes, the trail becomes rocky; a little further, you keep to the left along a wall [9b], ​​but later on, you continue straight ahead. You descend slowly, but at the end, the descent becomes steeper, and you veer right.

(2h33) At the bottom, you veer right, in front of a cave with waterfalls; you follow a cemented lane for 5 minutes and so you get to the asphalt road.

(2h38) You take a left (hiking sign [9b] ​​600 m up to the [1] walk) and after 30-40 meters, you descend the stairs on the right (hiking sign and [9b]).

The hiking sign [9b] near Ménites.

After 45 concrete steps, you see on the right the source of Vrysára, but you should take the concrete path on the left [9b].

The source of Vrysára, near Ménites.

This trail always continues straight, first to the left of some houses (2 X [9b]) and then with a beautiful view of Ménites and its church and on the entire valley.

View on the church of Ménites.

You go down and then you take a sharp RIGHT (no mark!). You get to many steps and you keep to the right of a house [9b]. You zigzag between the houses and descend again, until you arrive next to a nice bridge. You veer to the left and, near a house, you get to a cross-staircase ([1b] on a pole) - it is here that you get to the path of walk [1], and you go up to the right . If at the top you keep to the right, you will get after some steps underneath the church of Ménites. But the signposting [1b] sends you to the LEFT on a concrete lane. Further on, you take a right [1b] and, after a vaulted passage, you go up a staircase and get to the asphalt road (bus stop and hiking sign). You take a left, you pass the tavern Fountana and arrive next to the marvellous source with the six spouting lion heads. On the right you notice the wonderful outdoor terrace of the tavern Pigés Karidhiés. Next to it, there is also the taverna Drosiá. (2h48)



The famous well of Ménites.



One of the lions heads of the well of Ménites.

These terraces are great spots to sit down for a while – underneath the large trees and midst the gurgling of the water coming from the wells and from the small river in the deep valley. If you consider having lunch here, you should try the fourtália, an omelet with potatoes and sausage.
After some rest you can also climb up to the church – striking here are the bas-reliefs from 1808.

The church of Ménites.



A nice coat of arms on the wall of the church in Ménites.

(2h48) For the way back, you go down the stairs on the opposite side of the church (hiking sign [9b], because this is the beginning of the walk to path [9]); after 5 + 12 steps, you continue straight ahead – walk [9b] goes here to the left, without signposting… You continue your descent [1] and past a house – with to the right the little waterfall – you veer to the right, but immediately after, you take a sharp left on the stairs [1]. Later on, you keep to the right ([1b] on a pole) and you keep going down, but past some houses you take again a sharp left on a paved staircase [1b].

(2h53) You thus get to the bifurcation, where you should take a LEFT (hiking sign [1]).

[If you want to continue to Messariá, you should take a right here - see the alternative walk Chóra - Ménites - Messariá - Chóra.]

You cross the big arch bridge, and then the little bridge; after the stretch with the uneven pavement, there are two small bridges, you then veer to right. You climb old stairs, then you get to a very pleasant and flat stretch, while you pass above the pigeon house and you enjoy the wide panorama of the valley and the elongated village of Messariá. After a little more than 9 minutes, you go up to the left and the right and you get a truly magnificent view – and then you follow some flat stretches of the path

(3h11) At the moment you arrive at the top, Chóra already appears in front of you in the distance.

(3h19) After another 7 minutes, you arrive at the nice bend with the bridge built with flat stones, below 2 plane trees. Your trail climbs again and after a flat stretch with two subsidences, you reach another bridge (with the date 1912 on the balustrade). You now arrive very soon between the houses of Lámyra: you pass underneath a chapel and get to the junction with the blue chimney – to the right you could descend to Messariá.

(3h23) You keep to the LEFT, but after 2 minutes, you keep to the right near a beautiful arched bridge;  you pass some houses and you arrive at the bridge of 1899, also built with the financial assistance of K. Empiríkos [1]
.

A nice bridge from 1912.

Further on, you cross a small gravel road and continue on the opposite side between houses [1]. You keep to the right, the concrete or paved trail continues to meander between the houses of Lámyra and finally leads to a bend of the concrete road.

(3h30) You follow the climbing road [1] – a hard stretch –  until you get underneath the church of Lámyra. A little further you descend to the right on white steps, underneath a plane tree and to the right of a new house [1], and you arrive at a concrete spot where you continue left [1].
The paved trail passes by some beautiful houses (some are dated 1840) and soon you reach the platía 28 Oktovríou with in front of you the institute for girls.

(3h36) You go up to the left [1], and after 1 minute, you continue STRAIGHT [1]. Pay attention: after 2 more minutes, you go left this time [1]!
You climb, then you cross the asphalt road [1] and the climb gets steeper until you arrive at the bifurcation of paths [1] and [10] (hiking sign). You take a right (hiking sign [1] Chóra 3,2 km) and get to  the small square Theodóra Keraní.

(3h43) You descend for a while to the right, then you get to the strange building with a source, just below the white main church of the Panagía of Messathoúri. Near the tower of the church, you keep to the right [1], and a little later you get to a concrete road that you follow to the left. You follow this road for a few moments, but after 2 minutes, you continue to the RIGHT on a staircase (sign Chóra 55 minutes and [1]) - and right now, you arrive next to the first source of Ypsiloú (date 1763). At the next crossroads, you turn RIGHT onto a narrow concrete path [1], and you soon follow a nice paved staircase. Close to house with the high white chimney, you keep to the LEFT (blue mark and [1]). You pass above the church with the blue dome of Ypsiloú, and further, still near a white house, you take another left [1].

(3h52) You thus arrive at a T-junction in front of a neoclassical house: you go left again ([1] on the steps). You climb and so you get to the second source, dating from 1842. At first, you continue straight ahead [1], but at a bifurcation where a staircase goes up, you descend of course to the right [1]. You finally begin the long descent in a very green environment. You pass a small bridge from 1929, where you continue straight and descend beside gutters and a splendid garden.

(3h59) You continue downhill beside a beautiful row of cypresses, while keeping to the right, and you reach the last source of Ypsiloú, dating from 1818. You walk down to the right on a beautiful little bridge - the inscription mentions the date 1891 and the name of G.K. Empiríkos.
 

Another old bridge of the famous Empiríkos.

You get to the road again, where you continue on  the opposite side face [1]. Shortly after, you veer left on the concrete path along a gutter [1]. You continue straight along a nice row of cypress.
Pay attention: a few minutes later, next to 2 houses, you descend the stairs to the right ([1] and blue mark). A little later, you descend of course to the right on the concrete steps ([1] and blue mark), and you continue to descend while meandering, sometimes between high walls. At the cross-path, you again go down to the right ([1] and blue mark).

(4h16) About 4 minutes later, you arrive at the side of the chapel with the ruin, and you descend to the left ([1] and blue mark). You veer to the left, but past an old bridge, you veer to the right. You now follow an earth trail, later on a paved path that finally leads straight to Chóra.

(4h23) You cross a small concrete road (blue mark) and - while enjoying magnificent views of Chóra, bathed in the evening sun - you finally arrive in the valley and on the road [1] that leads straight into the river bed with the wooden bridge.

Chóra in the evening sun.

[You can possibly turn left to continue in the bed and on the path towards the bridge and the beach of Nimborió. (sign [1a])

(4h33) If you want to follow the walk [1] until the end, you continue on the opposite side on the steep concrete little road [1], next to the big hiking sign. You cross the asphalt road after 2 minutes and continue straight ahead on the stairs [1]. Above, you take the concrete street to the left [1], until the end, where you climb the stairs to the right in order to reach the beginning of the main street next. You go left and you need now another 2 minutes to get near the church, your starting point. (4h49)

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