3 : Hydra (Town) – Zourva Monastery – Zourva Lighthouse
| 12.4km | 6h | 3/5 | No |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 482m | 3m | 790m | 790m |
Again setting off from the port of Hydra, by the clock-tower, where the main trails map is located, Trail 3 ascends towards the east to pass by the Monastery of Agia Foteini and Elisavet and exit the town of Hydra along a trail heading up to the col of windmills. It then follows a gravel road, passing along the monasteries that are closer to the town to turn onto a trail once again, by the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos and then to ascend the barren, rocky slopes with the dry-stone walls towards the chapel of Profitis Ilias. From then on it continues, passing by fields and farmhouses (some deserted and derelict and some well-maintained) as well as clusters of cedar trees, heading towards the Monastery of Zourva. The impressive rocky landscape with dry-stone walls and chapels, juxtaposed against the blue of the sea and the imposing presence of the monastery, is broken by sprinkles of colour by the wildflowers and the sound and movement of the animals that wander around the slopes. From the monastery of Zourva, hikers can choose to follow the impressive stone path that winds its way downwards to the bay of Ledeza, where a small dock accommodates the needs of sea taxis taking people to and from the monastery. According to the nuns, the path was built by a single person over the span of 19 years. Zourva monastery has a small guesthouse that can accommodate visitors, after prior arrangement. The trail continues towards the east, sometimes between dry-stone walls, sometimes along open plains, passing along chapels and abandoned farmhouses, to reach the lighthouse of Zourva at the easternmost tip of the island, where one can arrange to be picked up by a sea-taxi and taken back to Hydra town, but only when the sea is calm. Along the trail lies also the impressive chapel of Agios Ioannikios (Giannikas), perched on the steep cliff-side above the sea, with views over the Aegean Sea. The trail can be also walked from the Lighthouse of Zourva towards the port of Hydra, if you choose to be dropped by a sea taxi at the Lighthouse.
