The Antiparos North Coast Hike

Description 

[5-km easy version] After a 5-minute boat crossing from Pounta, we disembark on Antiparos port and start walking along the northern coast, enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding island and rocky islets between the two Paros & Antiparos. We move right on the coastline, sometimes along sandy beaches, other times on rocky footpaths through fragrant low bush (cistus, lentisk and thyme,a dn african junipers) right by the water. We pass by a series of beaches opposites the Fyra islets (Diplo & Kavouras), admiring the shallow turquoise blue waters between the main island and them. Moving further north, past Antiparos camping, the beautiful sandy beach is replaced by craggy, rocky shores, and the dirt track becomes a narrow footpath that winds slightly uphill along the edge of cliffs that now make up the shoreline. As we carefully walk around the rugged coastline, we catch a glimpse of a string of beautiful rocky coves below and spectacular views to the open sea & the silhouettes of the surrounding islands. We take in these beautiful ocean views (more so during sunset time!) and start descending. The hike can end with a swim at Sifneikos Yalos or Psaraliki sandy beaches (depending on the wind direction). after that, it is all the way back to the village, where we take a break for iced-coffee or refreshment, and then walk in the old market street towards the port, where the tour ends on the ferry back to Pounta. We may also choose to finish our walk with a local-food taverna meal by the waterfront in Antiparos town (and depart later).

[9-km moderate difficulty version] At Antiparos Camping beach, we take off our shoes and go in the water to wade for approx. 100m in the shallow waters (aqua hiking). After we cross over to Diplo islet, we start walking on the waterline before we head inland. As we reach the highest point on the island, the adjacent islet of Kavouras, with its series of shallow sandy beaches and rocky shores, seem to unfold in front of our eyes. After another shallow crossing, we walk around on the rocky island until we reach its weather-beaten north coast and admire the wild, rugged rocky islets jutting off the water just ahead of us, the open sea and the mountains of Paros to the east. We continue our exploration of the island to discover volcanic rock formations with spectacular colors and shapes framed by the rugged coastline and the wide ocean. We take in these beautiful views and start on our way back to Antiparos Camping beach on another picturesque narrow trail by the water. Once on Antiparos soil, we continue on the NW-bound coastal trail to the town past the cliffs and Sifneikos Yialos, and finally back to the port.

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In a nutshell  [Antiparos north by & in the water] Coastal walking/aqua hiking/swimming/landscapes, duration 3h-4h (incl. stops & sea dip!), elevation ±30 m, easy/moderate.