WALKING TOURS IN THE CYCLADIC KEA PATH NETWORK

One of the most interesting ways to discover Kea is to walk around. The well-maintained path network on the island includes 12 paths that will offer you unique thrills. Wander through the lush ravine of the hinterland to the more isolated creek and the most picturesque chapel in the imposing ruins of an ancient tower. Take a look at the suggested routes and let Kea reveal to you through its natural beauty and fascinating history.

History of the Path Network

In order for the inhabitants of the island to easily join their vast settlements and to reach their isolated&distant estates, they built a network of cobbled streets, most of which have survived tilltoday. The complex repousse of the island gave the cobbled streets a special grace as they ascend to the slopes and ravines turning around to soften slopes and pass through the springs and settlements.

12 routes of approximately 90 km have been selected, mostly on the paved paths used by the residents of the island before using the car. Some of the paths are the same as the inhabitants of the ancient cities of Ioulida, Karthaia, Korissos and Poisses. These trails pass through oak forests, pass through drinking water springs, old chapels, farmhouses and ancient towers and end up almost on scenic beaches. Each route has been given a name that characterizes the area. Most routes cross, some start from a different route, or they have the same termination from different points. The walker can chart his own path by selecting parts of the routes, depending on their time availability and … their courage.

In Kea, approximately 43 km of trails crossed the island mainly in its NE part. The routes are pleasant with many alternations, offering in many places a very nice view to the sea. Their numbering has been made from 1 to 13 with white and red signs. Signaling is satisfactory and you will not find any particular difficulty if you have a map and description with it.

The hinterland of Kea is sparsely populated and small settlements do not provide food, so it is good to have some supplies with you. Depending on the route you choose to figure out, you are most likely to encounter high altitude differences as most trails end up in the sea and you must ascend to return to the beginning of your route. The best solution is after you plan your route to get in touch with a taxi to pick you up from where you end up. Avoid heat in the summer season, especially on routes that run through canals usually to the sea. Spring and autumn are the best seasoning times to explore the path network of Kea.

Certification & Authentication of the Path Network

The paths of Kea are unique. This has prompted the interest of the Cultural Department of the Prefecture of Cyclades that has begun a great effort to promote this path system by calling them “Cultural Interest Routes“. The most noteworthy paths, have been cleaned &marked with wooden signs at the beginning & the end of each route and small metallic signs have been put within the paths. The Cultural Interest Routes were mapped and certified with ISO 9001: 2000.

The paths of Kea according to the information provided by the Municipality of Kea

Routes in Northern Kea

Route 1: “Leon”

Ioulida – Leo – Doronari – Kokkinous – Diaselli– Otzias

Route 2: “Elixos”

Ioulida – Roukouna – Komi – Agios Konstantinos – Mylopotamos – Flea – Korissia

Route 4: “Dris”

Monastery of Episkopi – Sotira – Peramerias – Three Maderas– Sykamia

Routes in Eastern Kea

Route 3: “Aristaios”

Ioulida – Mesaria – ProfitisIlias – Astra – Ellinika – Agios Symeon–Karthaia

Route 8: “Sirius”

Ellinika – Chouli – Vrysses – Agios Filipios – Agios Symeon

Route 10: “Hydrousa”

Ioulida – Vrisi Veniamin – Agios Dimitrios– Spathi

Route 11: “Orkos”

Prophet Elias – Laudi – Kambouri – Orkos and Velados – Grikos – PigiGerantoni – PanagiaGrikou

Routes in southeast Kea – The network of Karthaia

Route 5: Katomerias – Agios Georgios – Pangos Kalodoukas – PigiVathypotamos – Karthaia

Route 6: Stavridaki – Kharditsio – PigiVathypotamou – Karthaia

Route 7: Havouna – Agios Taxiarhis – Pigadaki – Kaliiskia– Karthaia

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