E1 : The Marble Villages

An easy despite its steep uphill trail begins from the beach of  Yiannaki Bay to Kardiani. Approaching the village from the side of Agia Triada and before entering Kardiani, one goes through the overgrown slopes on the lower part of the settlement. From there you can head on to the church of Kioura Kardiani. Another uphill trail towards the old settlement of Kardiani begins where the only maintained building nowadays is the church of Agios Konstantinos built among the imposing rocks. The trail follows the old wide path that linked Ano Meria and Exo Meria right outside the village Palia Kardiani. It passes the site of B’ Euresis and it slopes downhill towards Ysternia with an impressive view to the west and the island of Syros while crossing the abandoned rural site. The trail continues on to Ysternia, a glittering in the sun village in the marble quarries, and it slopes downhill from “the marble-paved road” to the impressively wide, marble trail without any steps which ends in the Bay of Ysternia.  An uphill trail begins from the shoreline of the bay to Panagia Lakkotiani (Agios Thomas). The trail passing through rural countryside with remarkable terraces goes downhill up until Stasi and its small bay Kousinia (where a small detour begins). The trail goes back to Yiannaki Bay from Stasi, at a steady altitude.

Starting Points: Ormos Giannaki, Kardiani, Ysternia, Ormos Ysternion

Connection to Other Trails: E1A