Spring turned Andros green and brought increased maintenance needs along with it.
This year’s abundant rains covered the island in lush vegetation. The grasses grew fast, and together with the beauty of the landscape came more work. Trail clearing has now become part of our daily routine.
During the first quarter of 2026, we gradually began clearing vegetation, debris, passages, and signage.
At the same time, five maintenance hikes contributed to the upkeep of the trails, because paths need to be walked in order to stay alive.

🌱 More specifically, volunteers and workers, with the support of members of local cultural associations, carried out the following work:
— Route 1: Reinforcement of fencing in Menites, removal of a fallen tree
— Route 1a (Nimborio): Reinstallation of signage
— Route Men1: Vegetation clearing along the circular Menites route and at the points where it connects with Route 1
— Route 2 (Vourkoti): Vegetation clearing around the Vourkoti bridge
— Routes 2a + 8: Clearing along the Pythara branch and the route from Apoikia to Gialia
— Route 4: Extensive vegetation clearing (Aidonia – Ammonakleiou – Nionas – Monastery of Tromarchia)
— Route 8a: Reinstallation of signage
— Route 11: Thorough clearing of the trail (and surrounding vegetation) from Katakoilos cemetery to the village square, as well as along the section parallel to the main road towards Batsi
— Route 11a: Vegetation clearing from the start of the Aprovatou route to the “Balcony of the Aegean”
— Route 12: Vegetation clearing from the former “Vrachos” restaurant to the beginning of the dirt road towards Arni
— Routes 15 + 15a + 16a (and part of 15): Repairs of damaged signage
— Route 5: Vegetation clearing from Lardia to Gialos
Repair of signage towards Yannissaios, repair of stone steps at Lardia, removal of obstructing stones
— Route 9: Vegetation clearing near Aprovatou
— Route 10: Vegetation clearing from the Strapourgies reservoir to Pertesis tavern
— Route 18: Clearing from Baxedes to Agia Anna along the paved provincial road from Chora to Korthi
Reinstallation of four signs on Routes 18 and 11

🙏 We warmly thank all of you who support the Andros Routes initiative through memberships and product purchases, making it possible for us to employ paid workers.
Our sincere thanks also go to our sponsors for their support in providing workforce, to the Menites Association, and to all our volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to the work of maintaining the trails.

👣 The maintenance of the trails by volunteers and paid workers remains essential; and just as important is their frequent use. The footsteps of many people keep the trails alive these “roads,” as older locals call them. That is why we organize maintenance hikes every two weeks. During the first quarter of 2026, we organized five such outings, actively supporting the natural upkeep of the network.

— 5th maintenance hike: Gavrio – Ano Agios Petros – Pyrgos – beach – Gavrio
Fifteen hikers took part, two of whom had travelled to Andros from California. They were joined by five dogs. Despite the cold wind, everyone helped clear vegetation and move stones along the path.
— 4th maintenance hike: Circular route of Aprovatou
Nineteen adults, two children and five dogs, all with great enthusiasm, cleared what they could, leaving the more demanding work to the workers with brush cutters.
— 3rd maintenance hike: Vourkoti – Monastery of Agios Nikolaos
Eleven hikers pruned dense vegetation, removed waste and branches, and cleared stones from the path.
— 2nd maintenance hike: Circular route of Tromarchia
Twenty-two hikers cut back oleanders that were blocking the way and replaced or added signage.
— 1st maintenance hike: Circular route Mesaria – Menites – Lamira – Mesaria
The first hike of 2026 was dedicated to parents and children.

Maintenance needs across the trail network will peak in the coming period.

❤️ See how you can support the effort:
https://www.androsroutes.gr/simmetoxi1/