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MONDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2019 – 9.5 KM -VOURKOTI TO ACHLA BEACH.
14 October 2019 @ 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
A 9.4 km refreshing, undulating and spectacular hike from the mountainous settlement of Vourkoti, over an arched bridge at the Achla river, a short stop at the St. Nikolaos Monastery and a cool down and a swim at Achla beach. A feast of local dishes, music and dancing. A shorter hike is possible, starting later. Return from Achla to Chora by boat (weather permitting).
Meeting at Chora, take the bus transfer from Chora to Vourkoti, the highest village of Andros. Our hike begins by walking through the village, and descends down the wooded slope to the riverbed of the largest river in Andros, the Achla. After a short break on the impressive arched bridge over the riverbed, we walk along a dirt road to reach the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, one of the most important of Andros. We continue downhill through the lush and fertile valley of the Achla River, passing through the chapels of Agíou Charálabou, Agíou Georgíou & Agías Théklis, to reach the beautiful Achla beach and important wetlands. Take a short break and swim (for those interested) in the crystal clear, azure-blue waters at around 15:30, then a short walk for a traditional lunch of local cuisine. Weather permitting, we will return by boat to the port of Chora. Otherwise, we return to Chora by bus transport around 17:30. For a shorter hike you can join the group at Agios Nikolaos by taking the bus from the Chora at 11:30 am.
Hiking: Longer Hike
Vourkoti-Achla Bridge-Agios Nikolaos Monastery-Achla Beach
Distance: 9.4km
Difficulty: Medium-difficult
Hiking: Shorter Hike
Monastery of Agios Nikolaos-Achla beach
Distance: 4.2km
Degree of difficulty: medium-difficult
Suggested area to stay night before hike:
Chora or Apikia
Suggested area to stay night of hike:
Chora or Apikia
Meeting Times & Places:
9:30am: Chora, Nimborio Beach Parking (longer hike)
10:00am: Vourkoti, Vraxos Restaurant (starting point)
11:30am: Chora, Nimborio Beach Parking (starting point for shorter hike)
12:15 pm: Agios Nikolaos Monastery (starting point shorter hike)
Departure Time and Place:
5:30 pm Achla Beach to Chora by boat or by bus
Activity Prices:
Hike – Free
Lunch of local produce – 15€
Transport Prices:
See below for transport prices, routes and meeting points.
Hike Transport | (€) |
Transport to Hike Start | |
9:30am – Chora Nimborio Parking to Vourkoti (longer hike) | 3 |
to Agios Nikolaos Monastery (shorter hike) | 3 |
Return after meal at end of hike | |
5:30pm – from Achla beach to Chora by boat ( a replacement bus service will operate if the boat is not operating) | 10 |
5:30pm – from Achla Beach to Chora by bus | 3 |
TRANSPORT TO AND FROM THE HIKE FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE ISLAND
In the morning you can get to Chora from GAVRIO, BATSI or ORMOS KORTHI by using the REGULAR KTEL BUS. Show you Festival ID for a reduced fare.
Pay on the bus.
At the end of the day, after the return to Chora, Special Festival Bus transport is available to take you back from Chora to Ormos Korthi, Batsi and Gavrio Don’t forget to book the Special Festival Buses in advance on our Registration & Booking form.
Starting Location / End Location ((Transport Type) | Departure Times From/To | (Regular Fare/ Festival Fare |
Starting From GAVRIO & BATSI (REGULAR KTEL BUS) Pay on Bus | FOR THE LONGER HIKE: 6:50am from Gavrio to Chora (1 hour duration) 7.00am from Batsi to Chora (50 minutes duration) FOR THE SHORTER HIKE 9:30am from Gavrio to Chora (1 hour duration) 9:40am from Batsi to Chora (50 minutes duration) | |
Returning to GAVRIO & BATSI (SPECIAL FESTIVAL BUS) | 6:30 pm from Chora to Gavrio & Batsi | 4€ |
Starting from ORMOS KORTHI (REGULAR KTEL BUS) Pay on Bus | 8:20 am from ORMOS KORTHI to Chora (1 hour duration) | |
Returning to ORMOS KORTHI (SPECIAL FESTIVAL BUS) | 6:30pm from CHORA to ORMOS KORTHI | 4€ |
MEETING POINT LOCATIONS AND INFORMATION
Find details of all the Festival Meeting Points here
By participating in any activities or events at the 2nd Andros On Foot Festival you have unconditionally accepted the terms & conditions described in the links below:
Conditions for taking part in hiking
Conditions for participating in other activities of the festival