Hiking Trips
Hiking to Kastro Orias
Start time: upon request
Location: Loutra
Period: All the year around
Route length: 4 km
Route type: Circular
Group size: 2 – 20 persons
Duration with breaks: 3 hours
Ability level: Easy
Suitability: Suitable for all
Follow us on hiking trails leading back in time, connecting the splendor of nature and the human works.
Naturalistic walks in the land of stone with cultural, environmental and historical interest take us out to the beauty of the Kythian countryside, enriching us with images, knowledge and unique experiences. We walk exploring pristine areas, canyons, caves and idyllic sunset. We visit Byzantine churches, medieval castles and we rest in picturesque areas to enjoy the view and take some pictures. Our hikes implemented all year around and are operated daily.
The Medieval Castle of Orias, the old capital of the island, is waiting for you to be explored, a great place to watch the sunset, in the northwest of Kythnos. An area with a tremendous view of the Aegean Sea, rich flora and fauna. As we hike, we have the chance to admire enormous caper plants, a famous delicacy in Cyclades. The wild thymian aroma here is extremely intense and breathtaking. This place is the center of a unique story which is lost in the depths of the ages with pirates, kings and beautiful princesses.
Our hiking experience begins above the settlement of Loutra in Kythnos island, giving a magnificent view of the eastern Cyclades. Then we continue uphill following a dirt road until we reach the junction that goes either north to the church of St. George or west to the Castle of Orias.
Further on our trail you may enjoy unique views of the western Aegean sea and the wild beauty of the landscape until you see the impressive steep cliffs where the Castle of Orias is built on.
Kastro Orias
The Castle of Orias was the seat of the Italian feudal family of Gozzadini who dominated the island from 1337 to 1617 as the subordinates of the Venetian Duchy of Naxos. In 1292, Kythnos was plundered by the Catalans while throughout the Venetian and the Ottoman domination, it suffered greatly from pirate raids. Today, only the ruins of fortifying walls and medieval residences are preserved from the old Castle, while only the churches of Keralaousa and Agia Triada are preserved from its 100 churches.