Santorini Trail 02 - Mesa Gonia - Pyrgos - Emporio

This route begins on a quiet road between vine fields accompanied by a line of eucalyptus trees that leads a short distance to the settlement of Mesa Gonia. Traversing the settlement through cobblestone trails and arches the hiker heads towards the highest part, from where the old "ring road" once led villagers to their fields and animals. Passing the last church of the village, the hiker enters an old stone-paved path next to the xerolithic walls of the old fields, heading towards the settlement of Pyrgos initially. Traversing here is difficult due to the overgrown vegetation that enters the path, without however making it impassable. The word unkempt would be more appropriate. As the route approaches the settlement of Pyrgos, an old church and three caves behind it beckon the hiker on the far left side. These are old wine-making facilities and a locked but apparently old church refered to as Agios Nikolaos Kissiras. The route continues through the settlement of Pyrgos onto a central asphalt road - shared with route 1, which at some point will be left in order to turn to a trail that heads towards Emporio. At this turn, Care is needed because the main route is a narrow path running alongside the dirt road indicated by the sign on the column. Ascending the trail - and overlooking the litter scattered across the area - hikers will move past a livestock facility with the barking of tethered dogs accompanying them for a while. Soon the route moves among vine fields and stone walls, with an open view towards Emporio, at the base of the ravine next to which the hiker now descends. As the descent becomes steeper, cave structures, ruined houses and old churches appear, along with the Monastery of Agia Ekaterini which the route leaves behind and to the left. The entrance to Emporio, initially through worn cobblestones and then through neat alleys, brings the hiker among the densely populated neighborhoods of the settlement and its beautiful plazas and churches. The route ends at the main road of Emporio. From there one can visit its many attractions. The markings on the route are minimal and could greatly help hikers if they were improved. The route is accessible, but in some places overgrown vegetation makes walking bothersome.