Santorini Trail 05 - Pyrgos - Ekso Gonia - Mesa Gonia

This route starts at Pyrgos and goes through the cobblestones that cross its higher neighborhoods with an impressive panoramic view, among its unique mansions and church buildings. The tour between the mansions leads the hiker to the top of the settlement, where the view opens up towards the east, to the airport of the island, to the island of Anafi and to the nearest settlements of Exo Gonia and Mesa Gonia which are the next stops along the route. The descent with a panoramic view through concrete roads and cobblestone trails leads the hiker to the settlement of Exo Gonia. There, through central cobblestone trails, the route descends towards the beautiful church of Agios Georgios before re-entering the rural landscape that leads to Mesa Gonia, which is the final destination of the route. Here, shortly before the route ends by the unique Byzantine church of Panagia Episkopis, the proposed trail leads the hiker through some old cobblestones, now closed by vegetation, This part can and should be bypassed by the asphalt road that is parallel in order for the hiker to avoid unnecessary trouble until they are reopened. At the edge of the settlement, the route follows a wide cobblestone path between vineyards that leads to Panagia Episkopis. The route has minimal signposting and navigating both within and outside the urban landscape of the settlements can be quite troublesome for the hiker, although the route is of particular interest and worth crossing.