Paros Circular Walks - Greek Island Holiday Walking.

These Paros Greek Island Walking Guides take you round the interesting ancient Marathi Marble Quarries - it is possible to go right into them though it's a difficult climb in and out.

Also there is a circular walk out of Lefkes which goes out in into the Island's hills visiting windmills and a monastery.

Note: Since we were staying in Parikia we have described getting to the start (and getting back at the end) of the walks from there - i.e. using buses/taxis etc. There are several gps settings given - these are set to wgs84

Marathi - Marble Quarries The walk described below is a short stroll of around 4kms (plus 1.5km if you detour to the small church of Aghia Kiriaki) - starting off with a look round the ancient marble quarries (the Acropolis was built using marble from this quarry) and then along the valley to the very old Moni Aghios Minas before wandering back to Marathi. The only requirements are you need a torch if you intend going into the quarry and also something reasonable on your feet since the surface is very slippery and extremely steep. The number 1 bus from Parikia will drop you off on the road by the track which leads to the quarries otherwise you can of course get a taxi.
Just follow the track by the signpost passing several old buildings - some of the quarried areas are more or less open caste but two of them involve a long slippery walk - you will definitely need a torch since after only a few metres it is pretty well pitch black and also extremely rubbly underfoot so good footwear is really necessary.

Note if you are feeling adventurous it is possible to walk down one quarry and back out via the other....
The "easiest" to go down is the first one on the left - the one further along seemed far harder to get into and had far more rubble but do look at the carving just by it's entrance. This is really quite difficult to walk down since there is a huge amount of rubble lying around and in places quite wet and therefore very slippery. Don't be put off though - once at the bottom you can wander around the more level tunnels and look at huge chunks of marble etc. Walking back out is somewhat easier apart from the steep climb since you get light from the entrance to help you.

Having looked around the area take a track on the left which follows a dry river bed and soon winds round to the right and after a while arrives at a track junction. The left track takes you very steeply uphill to a small church - this is a very pleasant picnic site with good views and well worth the effort. If you don't want to divert to the church then go right at the junction and follow the track up to the monastery.

Aghios Minas Monastery is really nice - it is very old and does look like it is slowly falling apart. Someone does still live there so if you want to look inside simply ring the bell and the chances are you can be shown round. From the monastery continue on the track which descends into a valley and then climbs out again between hills - remember to look back as you get really nice views of the monastery and the countryside.
Simply stay on the track - at a junction go right and follow what is now a small furfaced road back into Marathi.
At the main road turn left for the nearest bus stop or if you have used your own transport turn right for a short distance back to the quarry entrance.

Lefkes to Lefkes. This 18km circular walk through the hills above Lefkes can be quite hard going if the weather is hot - there is a reasonable amount of climbing involved especially during the second half of the walk when you climb up the mostly shadeless track to Aghios Georgios Monastery, and then just for fun climb some more to continue over the hills before dropping back into Lefkes again. There are no tavernas or anything out on this walk so you obviously need to take a lot of drink and also have something decent on your feet plus hat etc. etc. - this is a mostly track walk. A regular bus service runs from Parikia to Lefkes - leave the bus by the tavernas at the top of Lefkes (ask the bus driver if you are not sure). You can also get a taxi from Parikia which should cost about 8 Euros.
From the bus stop follow the small road into the village - ignore the road which leads down on the left - continue along round the top of the village soon passing a taverna and then a sign indicating the Byzantine Road. Continue round the top of the village then at a cafe in front of you turn right on the narrow village road. Then turn right again following the now dirt path round to a junction where the Byzantine Road starts. You may care to take a look at some old wash houses and springs which are hidden amongst shrubs on the left before continuing.
Turn right on a concrete road which climbs quite steeply towards windmills - passing a church amongst fir trees below on the left and with excellent views of Lefkes.

The line of windmills appear above you and there is an old walled path leaving on the left which you can take to reach them - however this path is quite overgrown so you may wish to continue on the road instead. Either way divert left to look at the windmills - one of which we found we could climb up inside.

Return to the road [N37°02'33.81" E025°12'51.07"] and turn left - stay on this track as it winds it's way across the valley soon with Moni Aghia Kiriaki in view to the left. The track continues past the Monastery's entrance - apparently this is no longer monastery and privately owned therefore not possible to be visit. Stay on the track to reach a junction - here another diversion occurs - go left and follow the track through the hills and then down to reach the small church of Aghios Artemios which overlooks the coast - a great place to cool down and have a drink since there is a shelter and seats.

Return all the way back to the junction and this time carry on straight ahead - the track now performs a huge loop round the valley passing fields and some farm buildings - very enjoyable walking but quite hot. The track eventually descends quite steeply with some houses on the left - at a fork ignore the small rough track which climbs up the hill - instead stay on the main track which goes left and drops down passing more buildings.

The track goes across the valley and then bears right soon passing a small church somewhat hidden by some houses and fir trees - then just a little further on reaches another church snuggled in just below the track on the right. This is an essential stopping place - the church has lots of shaded seating but on top of this you can walk on down to series of streams - the foliage and trees and rocks here are brilliant.

Having spent probably too long wandering around the church surrounds go back onto the track and continue along - Kefalos and the monastery of Aghios Antonios are soon in view - pass a small damn on the left and then reach a track junction [N37°02'12.96" E025°13'35.54"]. Turn right now heading to the signposted monastery of Aghios Georgios - this is quite a climb of just over 2kms and the track is somewhat bear of foliage but there are nice views out to the coast. The monastery is yet another essential stopping place and perhaps even more so remember to walk along to the church just above it - if you are lucky the wind will be blowing and you can cool down.

From the monastery continue up the track - again this is quite steep in places as it goes through trees to go over the saddle of the hillside. Keep right at a junction (left takes you to the small church of Aghios Nikolaos - actually we walked down to this nice little church but the track ends there - i.e. it's a dead end) and continue across the hills.

Ignore a rubble track on the left - when a small church and house appear ahead of you fork right off the main track onto a smaller track. This track goes pass the buildings and then climbs a little to rejoin a main track by some Cyprus trees - go right and continue along as the track climbs up the side of the hill.

The windmills previously visited and then Lefkes are visible on the right and on the left high up loom the aerials at Aghii Pantes. The track eventually joins a tarmac road, go right and follow this for about 2 kilometres - then look for a signpost marked "to Kaparos" where a track crosses the road [N37°02'57.18" E025°11'50.04"] - go right here along a nice walled track now heading directly towards Lefkes.

A small church appears on the hill to the left and near here the track comes out on the road - go right and follow the main road passing another small blue roofed church. Shortly after this take steps down on the right - cross a small track and continue ahead on more steps to finally enter Lefkes - turn left to go back to the bus stop and tavernas.

Other hiking ideas for Paros can be found via our Paros Walks or see our Main Paros Page

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