Paros has a central network of paths of approximately 35 km.
Lefkes – Lagada – White village- Dryos
The route connects Lefkes with White Village. There dominates the church of Zoodochos Pigis and Dryos, having water sources with a remarkable irrigation system. From there the entire plain of Dryos was watered and supplied to the passing ships. There is a safe araxovoli, which was in use during all the historical periods of the island, there are the “neosoiki” (ancient karnaya).
The path is paved for almost its entire length, and there are many houses (traditional farmhouses) along the way, as well as many springs and wells. Nature rages: snakes, skins, spartans and depending on the season you can find sage thyme, oregano, heather. This ride is a feast for the senses!
Parish – Marathi – Lefkes – Prodromos – Marpissa – Agios Antonios – Piso Livadi
This road network (Byzantine and Post-Byzantine) connects the capital with the villages in the northeast. It’s a good way to travel. The villages and the Venetian Castle of Kefalos, which was built on the inactive volcano of Kefalos, were in use for the movement of residents and the transport of products to and from the port of Parikia.
There are paved sections with arched old bridges, wells and springs, centuries-old olive groves, houses, dovecotes, windmills. The route is full of smells and colors.
The route starts from the beach of Livadia Parikias, follows along the bed of the Elita river between the plane trees and the early Christian church, goes up to the Marafi plateau, passes by the ancient quarries, where in ancient times the lichnite of the famous Parian marble was mined, from which the best sculptures and works of art of antiquity and Roman times were made.
With a short detour, you can visit Kostos, a beautiful village where the teacher of the family of Agios Athanasios of Paros was born.
The path to Apati to Lefki passes through olive groves with centuries-old olive trees (designated as monuments of nature). Relax in the shady cobbled streets of Lefki, considered one of the most beautiful villages in the entire Aegean, with traditional cafes, old grocery stores, neoclassical mansions, the House of Literature, with every corner a subject for photography.
From Lefkes to Prodromos is the best-preserved and best-known part of this route. It passes by olive groves, windmills, springs, bridges, the Chirolakas river and reaches Prodromos.
It is worth wandering through the streets of the village shaded by bougainvillea of all colors, relaxing in the cafes, trying local delicacies and snacks. The route continues to Marpissa, the short detour from Makrialimni bridge is worth it to enjoy the beauty of the sea of Marmara, with marble columns (elements of the ancient church), the imposing Pera Panagia, the parish church with coat. of arms under the bell tower and the picturesque square cafe.
The route continues to Marpissa, a short detour from the bridge of Makrialimni is worth it to enjoy the beauty of the Marmaras, with the marble Gournes (column members of an ancient church), the imposing Pera Panagia, the parish church with the coat of arms under the bell tower and the cafes of the picturesque square. From there, going uphill, you reach the beautiful Marpissa with its hidden, at first glance, beauties. Its labyrinthine traditional settlement is rightfully among the most beautiful in the Aegean, with its beautiful cobblestones, the shady “Volta”, the old and many churches, unique bell towers, the Sculpture Museum “N. Perantinos”, the Folklore Museum, the Byzantine Gallery, with flower-filled courtyards and streets. From the Windmills Square, the road to the Monastery of Agios Antonios ascends, from which the view to the N.E. Paro and the bugazzi of Paronaxia are enchanting. Finally going downhill you reach the port of Marpissa, the picturesque Piso Livadi. In Piso Livadi it is worth visiting Agios Nikolaos and Agios Georgios Thalassitis. Picturesque ouzos, restaurants and cafes will rest you at the end of this route.
Leukes – Pigados – Ancient Quarries – Monastery of Longovarda – Monastery of Taxiarchis.
The starting point of the trail is Lefkes, which leads uphill to Pigado, where there is also a well. Along this route, visitors will encounter traditional houses. The path then descends on a dirt road and moves towards the area of Vounia, where there are vineyards and crops. The trail passes near the Monastery of Saint Minas and the Ancient Quarries, continues to the Marathi plateau, and climbs through a pine forest with local vegetation (snakes) to reach the Monastery of Loggovarda. Then, the path leads to the Holy Monastery of Taxiarchis where great Orthodox Christians practiced asceticism.
Routes of Aigeani-Deti Environmental Park
The park has a network of trails that passes through the ruins of the Russian fleet buildings (Orloff era), the Monastery of Saint John, the lighthouse of Cape Korakas, and many other beautiful places.
There are many houses along the routes you travel. Some of them are made of stone, lime, earth, and seaweed. They are a reminder that simple designs can be very beautiful. Windmills, watermills, and dovecotes are all endless. They show how virtuous and useful people can be.
In addition to the two trail networks, there are also other very interesting local routes.
• Paroikia – Mon. Agion Anargyron
• Paroikia – Livadia – Krios Agios Fokas
• Paroikia – Koukoumavles – Mon. Agiou Arseniou – Petaloudes
• From Kolymbithres – Archaeological Site of Mycenaean Palace of Koukounaries
• From Ampela – Santa Maria or Ampelas – Moulos – Marble (beaches)
• Kostos – Karavos
• Kostos – Agia Pakou – Naousa
• Lefkes – Ag. Kyriaki – Agrilies – Aukoulaki – Ag. Georgios Lagadas
• Prodromos – Monastery of Panagia Kontiani
• Marble – Moulos – Fanari – Kalogeras
• From Logaras – Pounta – Mesada – Tserdakia – Golden Beach – Dryos (beaches)
• From Marpissa – Aukoulaki
• Alyki – Agkairia – Monastery of Agioi Theodoroi – Aspro Chorio
Along all the routes, one encounters houses, small sustainable farmhouses made of stone, lime, clay, reeds, seaweed, as a sign of the richness of simplicity and nature. Windmills, watermills, threshing floors, wells, cisterns, pigeon houses “virtue with four corners” as described by Elytis dominate everywhere. It’s a place of virtue and habitat that everyone could be jealous of!
