Andros Route 10 - Mesathouri - Strapouries - Apikia

Starting at the settlement of Mesathouri, the hiker ascends through the narrow trails of the settlement towards the higher neighborhoods. Higher up in Starapouries, the route meets "Pyrgos tou Athiniou" (tower of the Athenian), a truly unique house compared to the rest of the buildings of the settlement. Soon the alleys of the settlement are replaced by the typical roads connecting the settlement with the surrounding fields, in the pattern of cobblestone trails or irregular roads between the stone walls which border the fields on either side. The route follows a steady uphill course and moves between fields high above the settlement with an open horizon down to the sea to the east and south. Soon comes the saddle, which connects Mesathouri and Strapouries with Evruses and Apikia. Up there, on the side of Apikia, the hiker encounters the beautiful church of the Archangel Gabriel in a special location. On the descent, the hiker meets branch 10a leading to Evrousies. Τhe main route, after crossing the stream of Pithara shortly after the aforementioned fork follows a gentle uphill course to a beautiful balcony with a view of Apikia. A little further on, another small church is met, that of Agios Ioannis Theologos, hidden in its small grove. The final descent of the route brings the hiker through the alleys of Apikia to the main road, where the route ends.