Folegandros is a small island with a main road of 12 kilometers and other smaller ones that connect the various settlements with each other. You won't have any difficulty exploring the island, on foot if you are fond of hiking, or by car, motorbike or by local bus.
Folegandros is suitable for hiking lovers, due to the mild difficulty presented by its morphology, but also the many paths that exist for both short and slightly longer distances. Indicatively, some easy paths, such as e.g. the path that starts from Agios Panteleimonas in Ano Meria, ends at Ambeli beach and requires about half an hour of walking. Another trail is the one from Livadi settlement to Katergo beach and the hike takes almost an hour.
Although the area of the island is limited, the well-maintained network of old cobbled roads and paths that it possesses, due to the fact that farmers continue to use them to go to their estates with their animals, attracts the hiking traveler so that he can walk and get to know up close the richness of the historical physiognomy of Folegandros.
The selected network of paths, with a total length of 20 kilometers, runs through a large part of the Folegandrite countryside and constitutes the Routes of Cultural Interest, which cross points or end at destinations of special historical-cultural or environmental importance.
These routes are as follows:
1st route
Chora – Stavros – Christos – Fira – Agali.
The route starts from the Castle of Chora, through the narrow alleys, and passing under Pantanassa and the chapel of Agios Savvas, enters the country road for a while. Arriving at the historic church of the Cross, the route returns to the path, heading southwest. Its section up to Christ is mostly paved with stone. After Christos and with a stunning view towards the sea, the path narrows and becomes difficult, descending towards the picturesque coast of Fira. From there, following a coastal route in a rocky, steep landscape, it ends at the picturesque, but busy port of Agalis.
You can do the route both ways: Agali – Fira – Christos – Stavros – Chora.
Route duration: 45'.
2nd route
Ano Meria – St. John the Merciful – Marmaro – Agios Nikolaos – Agali.
The starting point of this route is Agios Ioannis the Merciful at the eastern end of the settlement of Ano Meria. From the country road, the route follows a cobbled path that leads to the Folklore Museum and then to the chapel of Agios Ioannis theologos. The cobblestone continues downhill and crosses the abandoned settlement of Marmaros, which preserves intact the characteristics of Panomeritian architecture. Approaching the coast, the route passes over the picturesque bay of Ai Nikola - which always retains its magic - and then descends to the small beach of Galifos. Following the coastal path from here on, the path ends at the small church of Agia Marina, outside Agali.
The route also operates both ways: Agali – Agios Nikolaos – Marmaro – Agios Ioannis Eleimonas – Ano Meria
Route duration: 1 hour.
3rd route
Ano Meria – Agios Andreas – Agios Georgios – Lygaria – Zoodochos Pigi.
The starting point of the route is the church of Agios Andreas, on the west side of the scattered settlement of Ano Meria. The path is mostly paved with stone. The hiker meets the chapel of Agios Sostis, crossing an area dominated by the typical Panomerian rural landscape, with a panoramic view. Approaching it, it meets a beautiful location with tree vegetation, which offers shade, and reaches the bay of Agios Georgios (where there is direct road access from Ano Meria). The Ano Meria - Agios Georgios path still serves the farmers of the area today. From the bay of Ag. Georgiou to the cape of Kastello, the path turns into a rural road. In Kastello you can see the remains of a settlement from the Proto-Cycladic period. From there the route turns southwest and meets the picturesque little beach of Lygaria. In its last section, the course moves uphill towards the Karkana hill, through a narrow dirt road, where the chapel of Zoodochos Pigi (Chrysopigi) is located. From here, where the field of vision to the west towards the sea and Kyparissi cape is very wide, this tour can be "closed" for the hiker, returning through Merovigli to the settlement of Ano Meria.
Route duration Ano Meria - Zoodochos Pigi: 1 hour 15'.
4th route
Ano Meria (Taxiarchis) – Agios Panteleimonas – Abeli.
From Taxiarchis of Ano Meria, initially the course moves west, on the provincial road. After passing an intersection with a path leading south-west to Livadaki, it heads west towards Agios Panteleimonas, built in a place of rare beauty, with a course on a cobbled path. After Agios Panteleimon, the path splits into two branches, which lead to Ambeli cove. The southern branch, smooth in its initial part, then descends steeply towards the picturesque beach. In contrast, the northern branch initially moves downhill, but then crosses beautiful gullies with vegetation unusual for the island and with traditional crops (stairs).
Route duration: 30'.
5th route
Ano Meria (Taxiarchis) – Livadaki – Faros Aspropoundas – Ano Meria (Mills).
This is the longest route, which starts from Taxiarchis and, after traveling in a circular path, ends at the Mills of Ano Meria. In its initial part, the course is identical to the previous one, until it meets the fork to Livadaki, which it follows. The path is intact and well marked, in places cobbled. Arriving at the hill with the chapel of Aghii Anargyro, the view is excellent. From there, the route goes downhill, crossing the Skiathitis area, in the direction of Livadaki, a closed cove with a pebbly beach. The trekker then ascends and meets a small fork that leads to the particularly picturesque Lighthouse of Aspropounda. The main course continues on a path, at the foot of Trachilos hill and, taking a northerly direction, turns into a dirt road. In its last section, the route after crossing the area of Petalakia and passing over the ravine of Tzanis, ends at the church of Stavros, right next to the Mills of Ano Meria.
This route - classically circular - also works both ways: Ano Meria (Mills) – Aspropoundas Lighthouse – Livadaki – Ano Meria (Taxiarchis).
Route duration: 2 h 10'.
The island also organizes local excursions with excursion boats that circumnavigate the island, so you will have the opportunity to visit some of its most inaccessible beaches.
From Karavostasi there are daily itineraries of small boats that go around the island, tying up at various beaches where you can enjoy your swim.