Visiting Ano Syros, the old medieval town located on a hill behind the capital Ermoupoli, is one of our favorite things to do in Syros. But from there, you can also explore more of the area by doing a couple of lovely small hikes. One is the loop hike from Ano Syros towards Alithini and the other one is the walk from Ano Syros to the church of Agios Athanasios and back.
Just behind the historic village, a narrow path leads down into a green ravine, past a windmill, where you’ll find the tiny Agios Athanasios church and a centuries-old spring. It’s one of those peaceful corners and hidden gems of Syros that you could easily miss if you stick to the main sights.
We discovered this walk almost by accident, and it quickly became one of those places we wanted to share with anyone visiting Syros. It isn’t a long or difficult hike (and maybe we shouldn’t even call it a hike at all), but it gives you a completely different perspective of the area.
This walk is also perfect if you are visiting or staying in Ermoupoli or Ano Syros and exploring Syros without a car. Even if you only have one day in Syros, it’s worth the time. And in this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about the hike to Agios Athanasios.
Read more: Best hikes in Syros
What do you need to know before you go?
The term hike might be a bit misleading, as the route is pretty short and follows a path that is paved (so no rocky or uneven parts here). Nothing like some of the other hikes in Syros, especially the ones in the remote north of the island, Apano Meria, such as the loop hike to Americanou and Lia Beach.
From Ano Syros to the church, it is around 500 metres, so about 1 kilometre in total. The complete outing, including some time at the church and spring, can easily be done in around 30–45 minutes. Although every time we go, we tend to stay there for almost an hour, because it is such a peaceful place.
If you’re wondering what to bring, you don’t need a backpack full of hiking equipment for this little walk. We recommend comfortable shoes with good grip, water, and a hat and sunscreen in summer.
And perhaps most importantly, don’t rush. The walk itself is short, but the whole point is to enjoy the destination. Sit beneath the trees, listen to the water, pet the cats, and take a moment to appreciate this little oasis hidden behind Ano Syros.
Read more: Best things to do in Ano Syros
Starting point of the hike from Ano Syros to Agios Athanasios
The walk starts here, at the back of Ano Syros in one of the hairpin curves of the road leading up to one of the entrances of Ano Syros. If you visit Ano Syros first, walk towards the Fimaira 2 accommodations (put this location in your Google Maps) so you get to the right road and then walk to the starting point.
There are a few other ways to get to the road, but those are old and hidden paths that are harder to explain. You can always ask a local if you want to take a shortcut somewhere.
Read more: Walking tour of Ermoupoli and Ano Syros
The old path and the mill
From the starting point, an old, cobbled path leaves towards the ravine with the spring and Agios Athanasios church. The path itself is part of an older network of routes connecting the settlements and countryside of Syros, but only parts of them are still in use.
It’s a nice reminder that these paths weren’t originally created for hikers and tourists. They were part of everyday life, connecting people with villages, fields, water sources, and places of worship.
On the way, you will pass a beautiful, old mill. It was built in the nineteenth century by a local baker and remained in operation until 1920. It was recently restored and is now sometimes open for visits.
Agios Athanasios Church
A little bit past the windmill, the path will split into two directions. The one on the right takes you up to the small stone church of Agios Athanasios, while the one on the left takes you down to the spring, below the church.
Agios Athanasios Church, tucked away among the greenery, has a surprisingly long history. Its existence is documented as far back as the seventeenth century (1631), although the original building was probably older. A larger church was built on the site in the nineteenth century, but it unexpectedly collapsed. The present stone church was then built in 1947.
Take your time to look around as the church itself and the courtyard are lovely. And there is something particularly charming about its location. Rather than standing prominently on top of a hill or in the middle of a village, this little church sits quietly at the bottom of the ravine, next to the spring and beneath the trees.
When we visited, the peaceful surroundings were actually one of our favourite parts of the walk. After exploring the busy and atmospheric streets of Ano Syros, it felt wonderfully quiet down here.
TIP: At the end of the path, you’ll reach the gate of the church. Normally, it will be open so you can explore more, but unfortunately, we’ve also encountered a closed gate a few times, especially when we visited in winter. But even when it’s closed, it’s still worth the walk and you can always visit the spring.
The spring of Agios Athanasios
Down from the church you’ll find the Agios Athanasios spring, or Pigi. To get there, you need to walk back to where the old path made a split, and now take the left side of the path going down.
This is not just a decorative spring. Water has historically been an important part of life on Syros (being sparse), and the spring was a valuable source of water for the local community. You can still fill your water bottle here and see the baths where the local people would wash their clothes (or themselves :-)).
Syros is often associated with dry hills, beaches, and a brilliant blue sea. But down here, the atmosphere is completely different. The whole area is a charming place to sit for a bit, in a cool, shaded spot under the huge plane tree. And to pet the cats, of course, who love to hang around here and get some attention.
TIP: Every year, around the end of August, locals celebrate Tsipouro Night (Tsipourovradia) by the spring, and the otherwise quiet place transforms into a lively setting with music, dance, and the local drink tsipouro, of course!
Other frequently asked questions about the walk to Agios Athanasios and its spring
Is the Agios Athanasios hike worth doing?
Absolutely! It’s only a small detour from Ano Syros, but a whole world away. The walk itself, the windmill, the old path, the hidden church, the lush greenery, and the spring make this whole area something you shouldn’t miss when visiting Syros.
How difficult is the hike?
This is an easy short walk, but don’t expect a perfectly smooth, paved path all the way. You’ll encounter uneven ground and stones on some sections of the old path, so comfortable shoes with a decent grip are a good idea. The descent is relatively easy, but remember that everything you walk down you’ll eventually have to walk back up!
Can you do this hike as a family?
If you are visiting Syros with kids, this route is short enough to be easily done by families, provided everyone is comfortable walking on uneven terrain. Taking a stroller won’t be possible, so bring a carrier if needed.
When is the best time to do this walk?
Spring and autumn are particularly beautiful for hiking around Syros, when temperatures are comfortable, and the island is greener. Winter can also be a lovely time to visit, but be aware that after heavy rainfall the path can be muddy or slippery and the church might be closed. During summer, go early in the morning or later in the afternoon as the descent is partly shaded, but the walk back up to Ano Syros can still be hot. Read more about the best time to visit Syros here.
Can you drink the water from the spring?
Yes, you can, and without a filter. Each time we come here, we fill our water bottles for the walk back and love the taste of the water.
Our final thoughts on walking to Agios Athanasios Church and spring
If you’re already visiting Ano Syros, this is one of those small detours that adds something completely different to your day. You get to leave the maze of whitewashed streets behind and discover a greener, quieter side of the island, while also seeing an old church, a historic water source and remnants of Syros’ rural past.
Coming here has been one of our favorite things to do in Syros, and we take our visitors here every time. And each time, we discover another corner, see a different cat, meet another local, or just remember again why we love this small area so much,
For us, that’s what makes hiking on Syros so special. You don’t necessarily have to walk for hours to discover something beautiful and authentic. Sometimes, a short path behind Ano Syros is enough to take you somewhere that feels worlds away.