Report of the 1st maintenance hike

Route 15, in the shadow of the imposing tower of Agios Petros

Text: Pantelis Siabanos
Photos: Pantelis Siabanos, Klio Meentiz
Translation into English: Katerina Pantazi

On Saturday, January 11, we carried out the 1st maintenance hike for 2025 in northern Andros, specifically the route: Gavrio-Scholi-Agios Petros-Pyrgos-Paralia-Gavrio, which is marked as route 15 in its largest section.

Our group was small, in winter terms, 6 people from Chora, Athens and the United Kingdom, but fully equipped to care for the route. The weather was ideal with sparse clouds, no wind and a temperature of 15°C.

The group started from the port of Gavrio, following the orange markings to the beginning of route 15, at the chapel of Panagitsa. Initially, we walked on a dirt road but soon we entered a path that took us up to Scholi. Continuing the climb, we crossed the road to Agios Petros twice. Gaining height, the view of the plain and the port of Gavrio rewarded us all.

The well-marked route led us to the beautiful and quiet settlement of Ano Agios Petros where we ended up at the small plateau of its spring. After the necessary rest, we began the descent towards the Tower of Agios Petros with a magnificent view of Gavrionisia, Gyaros and Kythnos islands. We admired the imposing tower of the 4th century BC, from where they once controlled the sea traffic and mining activity on the opposite slope from the iron mines. Then the route steadily lowers and enters the axis of the ravine until it ends at the beach of Agios Petros. From there we moved along the coast to the port.

The route is in good condition and free of litter. We repaired a wooden sign at the intersection of routes 15 and 15a and replaced fallen stones on the walls.

A big thank you to everyone who participated and we look forward to seeing you at the next maintenance walk on Sunday, January 26th.