Text: Katerina Pantazi, Dimitra Pappa

Photos: Valentini Deskoulidou, Olga Kyriakidou, Stavros Manidakis, Eleftheria Marinaki, Katerina Pantazi

Translation into English: Katerina Pantazi

On Saturday, September 27th, we carried out the 12th maintenance hike for 2025 in central Andros, specifically on the circular route of the Pera Choria waymarked as PerC1.

For the first time, we organized a care hike dedicated to parents and children, intending to connect the younger generations of the island’s residents with the enchanting trails of Andros and their maintenance! Our goal is to hold a family-friendly care hike once a month.

Thirty participants, including 11 children from preschool to the second year of high school, from Agios Petros, Fellos, Fallika, Mesathouri, Menites, Aprovatou, Chora, and Gavrio, gathered at the Oak Farm in Fallika.

Because the route lacks a “Route Angel” (volunteer caretaker), we were welcomed by the area’s coordinator, Katerina Pantazi, and Route Angel Valentini Deskoulidou. The weather wasn’t ideal for hiking — it was quite windy — but that didn’t dampen the excitement and anticipation of the hikers, young and old.

We began our hike with the youngest children leading the way, discovering the path signs and essentially guiding the group. Very soon, we turned onto route 18. As soon as we entered the path, our tools went to work: trimming overgrown vegetation, collecting litter, and replacing fallen stones on the dry stone walls. The children enthusiastically helped pick up trash, checked the path signs, and placed new ones where needed. We then continued via the Pera Choria 2 route (PerC2) to reach our target route, PerC1.

Entering the valley of the Aladinou–Fallika–Koureli area, the lush landscape welcomed us with tree canopies and yellow leaves forming an autumn carpet beneath our feet.

The path impressed us with its variety: soon we were walking on a narrow limestone-paved path. As we gained elevation, the view of the Chora valley, the ridge of Mesaria, and the villages on the opposite side rewarded every hiker.

At the highest point of the path, we passed through traditional stone-built cottages and admired a beautiful old threshing floor.

We then passed through Koureli and a ravine with structured irrigation channels that once directed water to the terraced fields. Along the way, we encountered the lovely old school of the Pera Choria, with its balcony-like courtyard, and learned that every Easter, locals play “tsounia” there — a game resembling bowling.

The path was in very good condition. Where needed, we pruned vegetation, collected several bags of litter, put fallen stones on dry-stone walls, and replaced worn-out signs.

The day ended in the best possible way: at the end of the hike, Virginia Doukissa and her family welcomed us to their Oak Farm as part of the “Open Farm Days 2025” initiative. We toured the gardens, met the farm’s friendly animals, and relaxed on stone benches while enjoying their warm hospitality — savory treats made with local ingredients, fresh lemonade, and hot chocolate for the children.

The experience of this maintenance hike for parents and children proved to be invaluable.

Especially for the children, who took an active role in maintaining the paths and connected with the history and traditions of their homeland. At the same time, they developed a sense of cooperation, responsibility, and pride in their contribution. For all of us, the hike offered movement, joy, connection with natural and cultural heritage, and a strong message: protecting and caring for the routes is everyone’s responsibility.

We warmly thank everyone who participated, as well as the Doukissa family of Oak Farm for their hospitality and refreshments.

The circular Pera Choria routes PerC1 & PerC2 are currently “orphaned” and looking for their Route Angel! Would you like to become a volunteer and take care of them? Fill out the form here: https://www.androsroutes.gr/forma-aggelwn/