Chóra - Ypsiloú - Lámyra - Ménites and back
Evaluation:
This is one of the
hikes on Andros you really have to make – it is the shorter variant of the hike
following the same trajectory, but continuing to the monastery of Panachrántou.
There also- other variants
that pass through, for example, Strapouriés or Messariá.
On this hike you get a
marvellous impression of the large valleys above Chóra, with beautiful views on
the town itself. It also brings you to one of the most watery spots on the
island with the wonderful valley of Ménites. In addition, almost all the way the
monopátia belong to the most beautiful ones on Andros – and this means a lot!
Throughout the long day, you
will have plenty of aesthetic sensations, because of beautiful elements such as
bridges, springs, churches, squares and paths...
This hike definitely deserves
the maximum evaluation of ****.
[Update by Raymond on May the 3rd, 2015and
on October the 4th, 2018.]
[The translation of
this walk is
made with some help of Google
translate - so, please, do not mind the mistakes...]
Estimated time:
In actual hiking time, this hike
of 5,9 km
to Ménites takes about 2 hours and about the
same time for the return route to Chóra.
All together this means 4h of
actual hiking time.
Taking into account the
pauses - there are so many marvellous spots to have a rest! -, and a picnic or
lunch (for instance in the beautiful tavern Pigés - Karidhiés in Ménites) this
hike will be turned into a full day of about 6-7 hours (TWT). By taking it
really easy, we hiked from 10am till 6.30pm, with a very long break at Ménites....
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
and [2] and [8a]).
You go down on the steps, you cross the asphalt road that descends to Nimborió
[1], 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.
(0h09) 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 [1] 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 (hiking sign [1]
Ypsiloú 1,6 km / Lámyra 3 km / Ménites 5,5 km / Messariá 6,2 km / Panachrántou
9,6 km).
[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].]
(0h12) 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 4 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 and on October
the 4th, 2018. 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 roof and the bended walls!!.
(0h28) You
thus take a right and a couple of minutes later you get to a beautiful stone
staircase, wonderfully shaded – this shade is so characteristic for Andros! Mind
the nice walls and 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 – pay attention – , you
turn left [1], following the water pipe.
(0h36) The
following stretch is nice and runs in between (dry) water-shoots; 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. 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" – mind the row of 4 plane trees in the brook!
(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" and [1]).
You then get to another well,
a “paradosiakí kríni Ypsiloú” from 1842.
You continue straight and
descend slowly and – pay attention – , just pas some white houses and 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.
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.
(1h00) You go down [1] 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, but
immediately you go down to the left again (there is a sign “Pros Lámyra” and a
[1]).
[This is the bifurcation of the paths [1] and [10] – see a.o. the hike Chóra –
Strapouriés – Ménites (hiking signs
[1] Lámyra 425 m / Ménites 2,9 km / Messariá 3,6 km / Panachrántou 6,9 km
and [10] Strapouriés 750 m / [1] Ménites 2,9 km).]
You descend now next to some high cypresses on a path with a nice pavement.
(1h05) You
cross the asphalt road again (there is a sign “Pros Lámyra”, a red dot and a
[1]), you descend a staircase and veer to the right [1]; then you keep a little
to the left, where a concrete staircase goes up to the right, and in this way
you get to Lámyra. You enter this village on a very beautiful spot, at the
Platía 28 Oktovríou, next to the old "parthenagogío" of Lámyra – a school for
young girls, buil in 1926. This is an ideal place to have a rest underneath a
big plane tree...
(1h09) You
continue towards the right [1] and slightly further on you reach a beautiful
well: this abundant source was constructed in 1840 at the expenses of K.
Empiríkos. You follow now a marvellous trail with beautiful houses alongside
(some with the date 1840) and with a great panoramic view. You go up again until
you get to a concrete spot, where you should take the stairs up to the right [1]
until you get to the concrete road underneath the large church of Lámyra. You
follow the concrete road to the left for a short while ([1] on a rock), but only
one minute further on, in a bend, you continue straight ahead on the trail [1].
You keep to the left [1] and at another junction between tall houses, you go
down to the left again [1]. You cross a gravel road [1] and on the opposite side
you find a narrow path [1], to the right of 2 houses.
You cross a little bridge, you veer right and then left, in order to cross
another bridge (3 X [1]), and after the second one you get to a bifurcation
crossing between some houses - remarkable because of the large number of water
pipes and also because of the funny blue chimney on the left. The long staircase
on the left side descends to Messariá; in order to continue to Ménites you have
to go to the RIGHT, slightly upwards ([1] on the steps).
(1h22)
After some steps and a nice little bridge, you get to a trail that is slightly
overgrown. After some
4 minutes you pass another old bridge made of flat stones.
On the right you notice a
sign from 1912, indicating who paid for this "odós" or road – it is of course
Alkibiades Empiríkos again. Further on you get a beautiful view on the elongated
town of Messariá with the church and the black Kaïri-tower. Flat parts alternate
with steep ends…
(1h39) After 16-17 minutes, you zigzag
right and left [1] and then the trail goes up and down and is covered by flowers
– it was on this stretch that we discovered in April 2014 and May 2015 a lot of
Serapia orchids.
(1h43)
Almost 20 minutes after the bifurcation, you pass a lonely house, where you keep
a little to the right; later on, you walk again on a flat path.
You pass another house, then a pigeon tower and some cypresses – it is only now
that you can see Ménites in front of you. But you descend still a lot and then
you veer to the left in a shady valley, where you follow an old uneven path,
along some water and a house. You pass a little bridge and you then get to a
large arched bridge. Also here, a sign from 1890 tells you that this bridge was
paid by a member of the Empiríkos-family.
(1h50)
Slightly further on there is a bifurcation: the path to the left is the path to
Messariá (hiking sign [1] Messariá 1,1 km / Panachrántou 4,5 km), you should
take a right here (hiking sign [1b] Ménites 370 m) – you will return here after
your visit of Ménites…
After a staircase, you keep to the right on a concrete path [1] and then to the
left, next to a house – there used to be a rather high waterfall here…
You climb a lot of
concrete steps, but in front of a house, you take have to take a left ([1] on a
pole). At the top, next to another house, you should take a left on an concrete
lane ([1b] on a pole). 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 Springs 80 m). 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. (1h58)
These 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 omelette with
potatoes and sausage. Also the dessert with the “glyká tou koutalioú” is very
tasteful!
After some rest you can also climb up to the church – striking here are the
bas-reliefs from 1808.
(1h58) 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].
(2h04) 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
(2h22) At the moment you arrive at the
top, Chóra already appears in front of you in the distance.
(2h30) 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.
(2h34) 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]. 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.
(2h41) 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.
(2h20) 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.
(2h56) 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].
(3h05) 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.
(3h12) 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. 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).
(3h29) 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.
(3h36) 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.
[You can possibly turn left to continue in the bed and on the path towards the
bridge and the beach of Nimborió. (sign [1a])
(3h46) 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.
(3h58)
Gpx-files:
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/andros-chora-lamyra-menites-31429267
https://www.routeyou.com/en/route/view/5912078/hiking-route/andros-chora-lamyra-menites