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THE TRAILS OF FOLEGANDROS

RELAXING WALKS WANDERING AROUND THE ISLAND

Folegandros offers a network of traditional trails connecting Chora, Ano Meria, and the island’s most scenic bays. The paths wind through ancient dry-stone walls, cultivated terraces, white chapels, and spectacular views of the Aegean Sea.

The trails are well marked and range from easy walks to steeper sections that lead down to beaches such as Agali, Firá, or Voreiná. Hiking in Folegandros means immersing yourself in the island’s authenticity, amid wild nature, dramatic rocks, and silences that make the experience unique and rejuvenating.

Below we describe a few of them, but there are many more.

For more information, visit us at our agency in Chora: Andrea is our “trail consultant”; he has been walking all of them for many years, can provide you with extremely valuable information, and is able to answer any questions you may have about them.

Distance
Km. 3,5

Travel time
1 ora e 30′

Difficulty
Easy

TRAIL 1

from Chora to Agali beach via Christos/Fira
The trail starts in Chora, from Pounda Square, from where you descend towards Dounavi Square. With Kastro on your right and walking through the cobblestone alleys, you reach the edge of the village, where you will encounter the majestic Pantanassa Rock. Continuing along the paved path on the edge of the steep cliff, a unique view opens up over the Chora countryside, with its olive groves and terraced gardens. On your right is the small chapel of Agios Vasileios, hidden beneath the large rocks. Walking between two dry-stone walls that separate the lands of Chora’s residents, you arrive at the chapel of Agios Savvas and the Themonies area, the ancient agricultural zone of Chora. Once you reach the rural asphalt road, follow it for a few meters until you meet the chapel of Timios Stavros; cross the asphalt road and follow Trail 1 to Agali Bay. This part of the trail is paved with stones, which reveals how frequently goods and people traveled between Agali and Chora. Along the way, you will come to the chapel of Christos, a characteristic example of a Cycladic church. After Christos, the trail opens up to a sea view and becomes narrower and steeper. You will cross a freestanding dry-stone wall that marks property boundaries or grazing lands. Continue along the trail until you reach the sea, at which point the trail follows the coastline. Passing by Firá Beach, you can take a short break before arriving at Agali Bay. After continuing along the trail, you will spot the village of Agali, which marks the end of the trail and whose name means “embrace.”

TRAIL 1A

from Chora to Voreiná beach
The trail starts in Chora, at Pounda Square, from where you descend toward Dounavi Square. With Kastro on your right and walking through cobblestone alleys, you reach the edge of the village, where you will encounter the majestic Pantanassa rock.
Continuing along the paved trail on the edge of the steep cliff, a unique view opens up over the countryside of Chora, with its olive groves and terraced gardens. On your right is the small Agios Vasileios Chapel, hidden beneath the large rocks.
Walking between two dry-stone walls that separate the lands of Chora’s inhabitants, you arrive at the Agios Savvas Chapel and the Themonies area, the ancient agricultural zone of Chora. Once you reach the rural paved road, follow it for a few meters until you find the Timios Stavros Chapel.
Continuing along the paved road, you pass the old windmills and find a sign on the right for the final stretch of Trail 1A through the terraced fields, leading to Voreiná Beach.

Distance
Km. 1,1

Travel time
45′

Difficulty
Easy

Distance
Km. 3,2

Travel time
1 ora e 20′

Difficulty
Easy

TRAIL 2

from Ano Meriá to Agali beach
The trail begins in one of the first neighborhoods of Ano Meria, that of Agios Ioannis Eleimonas. From the paved road, you will walk between two dry-stone walls along a rocky path for a few meters, until you find the Chapel of Agios Ioannis Chrysostomos, also known in English as St. John Boccadoro, on your right, and the Folklore Museum of Folegandros on your left. After visiting the ecomuseum, the trail continues and an incredible open view of the southeastern part of the island appears before you.
The paved downhill path offers a pleasant walk, and the breathtaking scenery will make you stop every few minutes to admire it. Take your time, because this is one of the most beautiful areas on the island! Further on, you will reach the locality of Giorgis t’ Aga, where old rural houses are slowly coming back to life.
Soon after, the view of Galyfos Beach will remind you that the sea is near. Before reaching the shore, you will pass through Marmaro, an abandoned agricultural hamlet, after taking a small detour onto branch 2A. Once back on Trail 2, you will soon find yourself at Agios Nikolaos Beach, perfect for swimming thanks to its sandy shore, crystal-clear waters, the shade of tamarisk trees, and a delicious fish meal at Papalagi, the taverna on the hill.
The trail continues along the sea to the small Galyfos Beach, sheltered from the north winds. Continuing along the coast, you will soon reach the chapel of Agia Marina, overlooking Agali Beach.

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