Ilias Monastery and Mount Eros on the island of Hydra

Getting to the port of Hydra from Ermioni.

(S/E) From the port, head up towards the village along Andreas Miaoulis Street (the street opposite the landing stage) until you reach a Fork in the road.

(1) At this fork in the road, turn left onto the small tarmac road that passes close to a small farm. After a few hairpin bends, this road joins a track.

(2) Follow the track up to the left. This unpaved track becomes tarmac after a few hundred metres and a few bends.

(3) From this point, the paved track climbs in wide zigzags through the pine forest.

(4) Continue along this track. You have the option of taking a more direct route up via some steps, which you’ll take on the way down (less pleasant on the way up).

(5) Continue to the left towards the monastery (do not take the path on the right; we’ll come back that way on the return journey). Climb the steps and enter the Monastery of Ilias. N.B. You are free to explore the monastery as you wish; photography is permitted.
Then head left, due west, following the wall. Next, head north-west towards a gate leading out of the grounds.

(6) On leaving the grounds, join a path heading due south. Continue for several hundred metres. Descend slightly into a small hollow before climbing back up towards the south-west. Ignore the path on the right. Follow this track all the way to the summit of Mount Éros (an uneven path with a few sections requiring the use of your hands).

(7) Follow the same route back to the previous point.

(6) Head towards the Convent of St Ag. Efpraxia (open to visitors). From the convent, take the path heading north-east, then go round the buildings by turning left. Continue north-east to rejoin the path taken on the ascent.

(5) Head for the steps leading straight down alongside a low wall.

(4) Follow the paved path you took on the way up in the opposite direction until you reach the junction of the road and the track.

(2) Take the small tarmac road heading due north and walk to St Konstantinos Church. From the church forecourt, there is a superb view of Hydra and its harbour.

(8) Walk round the church and head down towards Hydra via the small, stepped, cobbled alleyways. Take the alleyway on the right to reach Andreas Miaoulis Street.

(1) Walk down Andreas Miaoulis Street to the harbour (S/E).

Getting to the Port of Hydra:
- From Ermioni in 40 minutes (departures from the port of Ermioni at 10.00, 12.00 and 14.00. Return at 15.00 or 18.00 with a different ferry company).
- There are connections from the port of Piraeus to Hydra.

N.B. When visiting the monastery and convent, modest clothing is required; legs and shoulders must be covered.

From the summit of Mount Eros (7), there is a 360° view of the Aegean Sea, the Peloponnese coastline and the surrounding islands.