Ahla, Wetland, Andros

Greece Aegean Sea Islands 4 July 2019 6 min read

The Ahla, the namesake beach and the wetland, are located on the NE side of Andros, in the Cyclades. The beach It is quiet (except in August), sheltered from the wind, with fine pebbles and crystal clear waters. It is not organized, so you should bring the necessary things.

At the edge of the beach there is the chapel of St. Nicholas (Share of Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas) and in the background the Ahla wetland and the hotel unit "«Onar – Andros».

ACCESS

By road, before the Monastery of Saint Nicholas, on a difficult dirt road with curves. You will need a 4X4 jeep but you will see some people trying to get there with small rental cars or motorbikes (the road requires a lot of attention).

The route you will follow is: Batsi, Katakilo, Remata, Arni (outside the village) and before you reach Vourkoti you will turn left towards the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos (there is a sign). Before the monastery you will see a sign to Ahla beach.

From the sea, with your own boat or with the private boats that cruise the beaches of the island and stop at Achla (weather permitting).

ACHLA VALLEY & WETLAND – HIKING

Ο wetland Ahla is formed near the beach, where the river flows Achlas River, which is the largest on the island. The river, which flows from the mountain settlement of Vourkotis, under the old archway Ahla Bridge (Protected Monument), forms small lakes and waterfalls in many places.

If you like hiking there is an interesting hiking trail in the Ahla Valley which will reward you:

VOURKOTI-MONASTERY OF SAINT NIKOLAOS-ACHLA BEACH, (9.4 km), degree of difficulty: medium-difficult).

If you start from the Snoring you will pass it Ahla Bridge, the impressive Monastery of Saint Nicholas, the two-substance church of Saint George and Charalambous (Agios Georgios on the right and Agios Charalambos on the left), the chapel of Agia Thekli and you will descend towards the wetland and Achla beach.

You can take short hiking routes such as from Achla beach to the chapels. Agia Thekli and Saint George & Charalambous, (Karystinos guesthouse) and the Monastery of Saint Nicholas (4.2 km).

The route takes place within forestth alder with a wide variety of plants and mushrooms. In Andros, the alder forests occupy an area of approximately 290 acres. Many migratory birds and seabirds such as the Aegean Gull and the Black-backed Shag nest in the wetland.

This specific route is NOT marked but on the hiking maps of the island it appears with No. 6 (distance 9.4 km). The path is relatively passable but in some places, due to the dense vegetation, it may be difficult for you. When you reach Achla beach, after resting, you will either have to return on foot to Vourkoti or have a car or boat pick you up from Achla to return to your base.

For organized hiking, contact: www.androsroutes.gr and at the www.androsonfootfestival.gr.

In the context of Andros Foot Festival, which will take place in October and will last 15 days, will be held on 2^th Hiking Festival. It includes hiking in nature, in the monuments and villages of Andros, with parallel events such as festivals, local flavors, games, etc. Specifically in October 14, 2019 The hiking route will be organized: VOURKOTI-MONASTERY OF SAINT NIKOLAOS-ACHLA BEACH in combination with a traditional festival with local delicacies (9.4 km).

HOLY MONASTERY OF SAINT NICHOLAS

The Monastery Saint Nicholas in the Mountains is located north of Chora, just after the village Colony, in the position «Hours». It belongs to the List of Historically Preservable Monuments, Byzantine / Post-Byzantine Period. The Monastery has many metochia (such as Agios Nikolaos in Achla) which are also Historically Protected Monuments. A castle monastery, with high walls and an inner courtyard, the monastery complex includes the Catholicon of the Monastery (cruciform, two-columned, with a narthex and a dome), cells and 20 chapels. It was built in 1100, repaired in 1540 and 1760 and renovated about 50 years ago. Inside, the wood-carved iconostasis and the icon of Agios Nikolaos with precious stones are impressive.

The Monastery houses the image of Panagia Myrovlytissa (Springs forth Holy Myrrh) which comes from the Church of Our Lady of Blachernae, Constantinople and was offered as a gift (16^th ) by the Fathers of "Vlah-Sarai". The image depicts the Virgin Mary and the "«Root of Jesse»"that is, the Prophets who spoke of the descent of the Virgin Mary from Jesse (genealogical tree). From the 8^th, where it was discovered,gushes out from under the Holy Altar, Agiasma. In the monastery are the holy Kara of Saint Nicholas in the Mountains, his remains Agios Nikolaos of Myra (of the old one) as well as relics of other Saints.

Celebrated on December 6 (St. Nicholas), May 9 (St. Nicholas the New), en Vounenois) and on July 20 (Prophet Elias, from the chapel outside the monastery). The Monastery is for men and is open from 8 am to 1 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm (information: tel.: 22820 22190). From the mountainside you can admire the view of the valley and Achla beach.

Access: From Chora and the village of Apoikia, follow the road to Vourkoti. After about 5 km and before Vourkoti, turn right (there is a sign) towards the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos (approximately 15 km from Chora). From Batsi to Katakilo, Remata and Vourkoti (30 km from Batsi).

OLD OLD LIGHTHOUSE or ACHLAS LIGHTHOUSE – HIKING

In Akrotiri Gria, next to the Ahla beach (towards its northern side) the old stone building dominates Old Woman Lighthouse or Achlas Lighthouse, with a tower height of 12 m.

It was built in 1914 and initially operated with oil as an energy source. During World War II it was turned off and restarted in 1945, again with oil. In 1984 the Lighthouse was electrified and today it operates with a photocell. More information about the Lighthouse at Cairo Library (Andros-Gavrio Port Subdistrict Road 2, Andros Town). Another interesting hiking route is from Ahla beach until Ahla Lighthouse, with the stunning view of the Aegean Sea.

USEFUL ADDRESSES

life-androspark.gr
gavrio.gr, Philoproodos Group "To Gavrio"«
androsroutes.gr
androsonfootfestival.gr

For a cruise to the beaches:

Karaoulanis Riva rental, Giannis, tel.: +30 6974460330, + 30 2282022078, open 24 hours a day
Steph Lines, Neimporio Andros, tel.: +30 22820 23683, +30 697655 0224