Apeiranthos – Fanari – Kaloxylos – Akadimoi

A long trail in impressive mountain landscapes of Naxos inland, starting from the village Apeiranthos or Aperathos and ending in the plain of Tragaia with the scattered Byzantine churches and medieval monuments. Start off in Apeiranthos and climb the stairs next to the church of Panagia. As you go up and slightly to the right you get to the upper road of the village; ascend and reach the reservoir. Here starts the trail to the top of mount Fanari, where there is beautiful chapel, Panagia Fanariotissa. Taking the ascending trail you gradually go away from the village and the scenery is magnificent. After 30 minutes of hiking you reach Fanari, from where, if the sky is clear, you can even see Ikaria in the horizon. On the top, around the chapel, there is a wide terrace: the feast takes place here when the church is celebrated (after Easter, on Zoodochou Pigis day). Then go down the same trail – about 200m back – and get to the dirt road on your right. After 200m there is a cobblestone path, which makes a lot of “kagelia” (maneuvers) on the slope of the mountain to go down and lead you to the riverbed coming from the highest points of the mountain. You pass by gullies with oleanders and as you go down to Kaloxylos you pass through fields. Descending you reach the chapel of Agios Petros. Take a path through the “domes” created by vegetation and then the road that leads to Kaloxylos. At the crossroads, take the trail to the settlement of Pano Kaloxylos and get there in 30min. Descend the washhouses of the village and pass by a church built from the ruins of Fasolia tower. Pass by the old olive oil mill and reach the roadway Chalkeion-Filoti. Go to Akadimoi across the road and after a while to Chalki, where you can see the Grazzia tower and Panagia Protothroni. Difference in elevation: 600m – 880m – 300m Duration: 3 hours * Texts: Manolis Santorinaios Info For details about the official walking routes of Naxos go to the respective section on the website of the Municipality of Naxos www.naxos.gr