Agios Georgios, Melegakia and Agios Konstandinos Loop

This medium-difficulty loop on Alonissos packs a lot into roughly 8 km / 5 miles, with about 200 m / 656 ft of climbing: quiet chapels, open hill country, old farm landscapes, and broad views over the island’s rugged interior. The route is associated with the marked walking network on Alonissos and links Agios Georgios, Melegakia, Agios Konstandinos, and Psili Rachi on the island’s uplands. It is generally best suited to hikers comfortable with uneven ground, short steeper rises, and stretches exposed to sun and wind. (topoguide.gr)

The hike is on Alonissos in the Northern Sporades, and the start is best described as being near the chapel of Agios Georgios in the central hills of the island, inland from the main settlements rather than in a village center. If you are navigating digitally, use HiiKER and cross-check the start against the chapel/track junction area rather than relying on a vague place name alone. The surrounding area is rural and lightly developed, so it helps to download mapping before setting out. The island’s older trail network includes signposts, but some waymarking in the wider area can be worn, so route-finding deserves attention. (topoguide.gr)

Getting to the start

Most visitors arrive on Alonissos through Patitiri, the island’s main port, and then continue inland by road. The municipality operates bus services on the island, with stops in Patitiri and service information published through the municipal bus system. There are also services connecting Patitiri with Chora (Old Village), which is one of the main inland access points for walkers heading into the hill routes. From there, reaching the trailhead usually requires a taxi or private vehicle unless you are deliberately adding extra road walking. (bus.alonissos.gov.gr)

By car, the simplest approach is to drive from Patitiri or Chora toward the island’s central uplands and park near the access track for Agios Georgios chapel / Psili Rachi. One useful landmark in the same trail system is the road section described near the junction for Kalamakia and Agios Dimitrios, from which a dirt road leads toward Psili Rachi and the paths to Agios Konstandinos and Melegakia. That does not necessarily mean every version of the loop starts there, but it is a strong orientation point for the area. Expect narrow island roads and limited formal parking. (exploring-greece.gr)

What the route feels like

The character of the walk is more upland pastoral than alpine. You move through a mix of dirt tracks and footpaths, passing small meadows, low shrubby slopes, and old agricultural ground. The terrain is not especially high, but the repeated undulations make the 200 m / 656 ft of ascent feel earned. Underfoot, expect a combination of compact earth, loose stones, and rougher sections where old tracks have weathered. After rain, some parts may be slick; in dry weather, dust and gravel can make descents a little skiddy. (topoguide.gr)

The loop’s landmarks are strongly tied to the island’s chapels and farm country. Agios Georgios chapel and Agios Konstandinos chapel are the most obvious cultural reference points, while Psili Rachi is associated with farmhouses and open hill views. Between Melegakia and Agios Konstandinos, the route passes through small meadowed sections that soften the otherwise rocky island landscape. These transitions between scrub, pasture, and old rural infrastructure are part of what gives the walk its sense of place. (topoguide.gr)

Landmarks, scenery, and historical context

Alonissos has a long history of small-scale agriculture, chapel-centered rural life, and footpath travel between scattered holdings. On this loop, the chapels are more than scenic stops: they reflect the traditional pattern of island settlement, where religious