Efanos

Start at the edge of Mavrato (about 500 m) beside the village cemetery, where a stone-paved path heads uphill; a small sign points to Kapsalino Kastro. The path climbs steadily through kermes-oak (prinos) woodland past abandoned farmsteads with upright stone-slab walls. After about half an hour the forest ends and low scrub opens the views over Agios Kirykos, the east coast and Fournoi. The path reaches the ridge at Kapsalino Kastro, a large rock with scant remains of a medieval castle, where signs show the trails that meet here. Take the trail heading up and slightly right along the broad ridge towards Karavostamo. A little further on you pass a stone hut used as a basic shelter; here leave the trail on the north side and angle uphill to the crest, from which a short climb leads to the trig point of Efanos (also called Fardis). From the top almost all of Ikaria is in view, with gentle plateaus to the north and steep slopes falling to the sea on the south. Return the same way, or continue on the trail north-west down to Karavostamo on the north coast (Anavasi route 8 describes this as a clear, wide path across steep slopes). West of the summit the ridge narrows into rough, rocky crests (Kako Katavasidi, Tsolias 1,020 m) with no path. The Atheras ridge concentrates the northerly meltemi: expect strong wind and gusts on the crest.