Trekking Hellas has a series of programs designed for travelers interested in exploring Kythnos – one of the least-developed of the Cycladic islands – through hiking. The landscape is dotted along the way with small churches and contains traditional villages with narrow streets before being interspersed with sandy bays. Kythnos also boasts of the ruins of a Byzantine castle of the spectacular headland as well as ancient excavations.
The tour around this beautiful countryside takes place from April to October and runs for 6 days and five nights. It can be organized for as few as two people and includes relatively easy hikes for beginners (3-4 hours per day) and longer and tougher trails as well for those wishing to get more of a workout.
An indicative itinerary:
Day 1 – Arrival
Guests arrive in the Kythnos port of Merichas by ferry from Piraeus or Lavrio, which is nearer the airport and has more frequent services than Piraeus. We provide a minibus transfer to the Hotel Messaria (www.messaria.gr) in the island capital, Hora, for the check-in. The aperitivo at 2000h is accompanied by an introductory talk by an island guide. We dine in the Hora.
Day 2 – Hora-Loutra-Orias Castle-Loutra-Hora (13.8 km; 10.5 km taking minibus back from Loutra)
Walk down to Loutra where there is a marina and the hot springs. The hot water runs from the thermal bath centre into the beach. We can pause near Loutra for a packed lunch and refreshments before setting off to the ruins of the Byzantine castle on a spectacular headland. Return to Loutra on a different path past an ancient site. In the evening, dinner in the traditional village of Dryopida where musicians will play traditional music.
Day 3 – Hora-Aghios Ioannis-Aghios Stephanos-Hora (12.5 km; 8.6 km if minibus from Ag Stephanos)
This circular walk is fairly long to the beach of Aghios Ioannis, which has no road access. The walk to the next bay at Aghios Stephanos is a bit of scramble at times. But lunch awaits in the traditional Kantris taverna. The return trip to Hora includes a long steep mule track. In the evening, there is an archeological lecture ahead of Day 4’s visit to an important excavation site. Then dinner in the Hora.
Day 4 – Hora-Aghios Tryfonas-Vryokastro (ancient city)-Apokrousi-Hora (15.8 km; 8.5 km if minibus back from Apokrousi)
Walk to excavation site with an authorized archeologist. The site is off-limits to the public without Miinistry of Culture or archeological authority approval. Apart from temple foundations, the site includes a harbour, much of which has sunk, and walls and terraces where houses once stood. There is also a bath house. The walk continues to Apokrousi beach where we eat a packed lunch or stop at the beach bar if it is open. The walk back follows part of the initial outward route. In the evening we go to Merichas for a fish dinner at Ostria restaurant beside the port, where yachts and fishing boats are moored. Ostria has an extensive menu for non-fish eaters.
Day 5 – Dryopida-Kalo Livadhi-Kanala (7.1 km; minibus return from Kanala)
We head by minibus to Dryopida where this coastal walk starts. We pass through the village and its churches and gardens before heading east to the coast. The walk goes past a wash house used until the 1970s by Dryopida woman above the deserted administrative buildings of a mineworks company, which operated until 1940. The views across to other Cycladic islands, some uninhabited, is spectacular. The walk continues to Kalo Livadhi for an optional swim and the packed lunch. There is a climb out of the beach then it is downhill to Panagia Kanala, the most important religious site on the island. A religious historian will describe the importance of the site, other churches on the island, and the social and cultural framework of the island. The day will conclude with dinner and a music entertainment with instruments such as the Cycladic bagpipes.
Day 6 – Departure
The day is free for shopping and relaxing. Transfer to the port of Merichas.
The price of the tour is 390 euros per person and includes all transfers on the island as well as five-nights accommodation at Hotel messaria with breakfast. Inclusive in the price is an archeological lecture and guide and a religious presentation. There is one evening of musical entertainment with dinner as well as a free copy of the Kythnos hiking guide.
