Andros Route 09 - Ano Aprovatou - Strapouries

This route continues where route 11a stops and follows along the main trail - the Fardia Strata (meaning wide trail), otherwise called Arvanitostrata, as we read on the Andros Routes website, connecting the west side with Chora. Due to later human interventions the first 2 kilometers of this old cobblestone trail have been destroyed, as dirt roads are running over it. Thus, at the beginning, the route moves through narrow paths between fields and dirt roads or cement roads, gradually climbing to a higher altitude (it starts at an altitude of about 300 meters). During this time and just before it meets the old cobblestone, it meets a beautiful spring with cool water and as it meets the old cobblestone, it also finds the impressive waterfall of Turkos. Now hikers are moving on a wide cobblestone trail, imposing in appearance and grandiose project which, according to the locals, was constructed with funds from the Empeirikos family. The route skirts the slopes of the mountain, climbing slowly but steadily as it now passes over Paleopolis with panoramic views. Successive streams of gurgling water intersect the route at successive points giving the hiker a chance to cool off. Shortly after passing over Paleopolis the route meets branch 9a. Now the route continues its course at a maximum altitude (almost 600 meters) with a panoramic view and with the high peaks of the island resembling nearby - yet imposing - hills on the side of the route. Between stone walls separating the fields on either side of a place that was once farmed to the last corner of its land, the route now crosses a saddle and descends steadily eastward. Now the westernmost settlements of the eastern watershed are visible, the first being Pitrofos, which will soon be crossed by the route through its upper part. The mountainous landscape up till here is now succeeded by the residential grid of Pitrofos. Churches, fountains, beautiful ruins and an Olive Museum await the hiker. At the exit of the village, the route turns to rural landscape once again. Towards its end the route arrives at a branch, which gives access to the settlement of Menites, where through the wide trail between the stone borders of the fields it gradually and smoothly descends towards the settlement, to cross it vertically aiming for its famous springs . Back on the main route, the hiker gradually descends as the route approaches its final destination, Strapouries. In the distance, in places with an open view, the hiker can see the settlement of Chora with the impressive Tourlitis lighthouse. The stone walls that line the route for a long distance are now beginning to grow taller and narrower in width as road-side properties try to make the most of the limited space available alongside the residential setting. The route ends after 11 kilometers on the asphalt road that connects Menites with Strapouries.