The Lefkes- Agrilies- Aghios Nikolaos Langadas- Dryos Hike

10km620m4h

Description  Starting off on the morning bus from Parikia, we get off at Lefkes, the island’s capital from the medieval times up until the 1950’s. After a brief tour of the picturesque village, we start on a mild uphill route through old footpath and dirt track towards the Aghioi Akindinoi chapel, passing through shrubby hillsides and terrace fields.

We go on through the Agrilies (lit. ‘Wild olive trees’) area with its olive groves and vineyards, admiring massive, old olive trees and the traditional pezoules (centuries-old terraced hillside fields), plus spectacular sea views to the Paros-Naxos channel and the islands of Iraklia, Ios, Sikinos and Folegandros (on a clear day)! As we head east-southeast by the heights of Vounala (508 m), the view is shifting: the plains of Marpissa and Molos plain and the full stretch of the Naxos channel gradually come in sight. After a stop at a roadside well for refill with fresh spring water and some snacking, we start descending to the Langada ravine on a rough country lane. Moving south-east, we now enjoy more great vistas towards the hills and valleys inland and the Dryos shoreline. In spring and early summer, the landscape is dotted with multi-colored wild flowers, fragrant herbal bush and juniper, cypress, pine and wild olive trees.

After a quick visit to the Aghios Nikolaos chapel and the lighting of the candles for good luck, the view to the S-SE widens as we start walking down the Langada valley footpath. This is the best-preserved stone-paved footpath of Paros: In daily use for centuries up until the 1970’s, it spirals downhill through some of the island’s most enchanting landscape: terraced farmland, pastures, olive groves and wooded hillsides, never losing sight of the sea. Within the network of old footpaths in the area, for more adventurous walkers, there are also some wilder, rougher branches (alternative ways) of the main footpath available! In any case, this is where we pick a shady spot under the centuries-old olive trees for our nice “Taste of Paros” wine picnic! After a last passage through old winding & rocky footpaths, we hit the dirt road that finally takes us to our final destination, the seaside village of Dryos. As we approach, we can either opt to continue for a snack at the seafront and/or a swim at the beach (+0.7 km), or just wait for the bus to Parikia at the main road. Vice-versa option also available (uphill, more strenuous).

See route map here. Questions or more info? Ask us!

In a nutshell  [Our favorite Paros hike] Hiking/mountain/countryside/history/views, moderate difficulty, distance 10 km, duration 4 h (with stops), elevation gain/loss +150/-470m.