For nature lovers and those looking for alternative activities, the island has several approved trails for hiking and biking, which can be enjoyed by visitors on their own or with experienced guides.These trips will reveal a less travelled side of the island, with abundant natural springs, watermills and windmills, charming stone houses and an unparalleled natural beauty. Deep gorges, green valleys, waterfalls and streams, running springs and sea caves, represent an island of myths, legends and explorations.
There are 85 km of hiking trails in Andros, which include many interesting tours: (www.cycladen.be/AndrosEng.htm).

It is worth noting that the island's mountain area, enclosed between Kouvara,Vourkoti and Arni up to the gulf of Vitali, is protected by the network Natura 2000, the largest European network regarding protection of nature and biodiversity.
The mountainous area Kouvara-Petalo with the valley of Katakoilos - Batsi is characterized by its rich flora and thrive there, 80 species of endemic plants. The same area serves as a stopover for numerous species, since it is part of the bird migration trail, from Africa to northern Europe, and therefore is an ideal place for bird-watching.

Worth visiting areas

Other areas worth visiting, in view of their outstanding natural beauty, are:

• The gorge and valley of Dipotamata at the steep slope of Mount Gerakones between settlements Syneti – Kohylou and Ekso- Mesa Vouni. Two rivers flowing in parallel from the mountain Gianissaio unify and flow into the bay of the Syneti; an arched bridge, an old paved path and 22 watermills among lush vegetation set the scenery; a unique habitat for the survival of stavraetos (a greek bird specimen) and of a rare specimen of butterfly; thousands of them flock to the area in their reproduction season during the spring.
• The Remata Valley with its running waters, mills and beautiful vegetation.
• The stream of Achla with its lush ravine with small waterfalls leading to small pools, colorful dragonflies and rich vegetation and a river surrounded by plane trees which flows into the idyllic beach of Achla.
• The stream of Pithara with springs, ponds, lush vegetation and the natural water spring Sariza, on the route from Chora to Vourkoti, near the settlements Stenies - Apoikia.
• The stream in the area Frousaious near the settlement of Amolochos, with its network of windmills, typical examples of pre-industrial technology.
• Vori and Vitali bays, accessible from the village Arni, where ravines with lush vegetation flow into the beach.
• Caves, in the area of Aladinou rich with stalactites and stalagmites, in Vitali, near the riverbed that flows into the bay, the beach of Syneti and inside the castle in the medieval village of the Kohylou.
• The 15m. rock on the beach "Tis Grias to pidima" on the NE part of the island; according to a local myth, the rock represents an old lady who jumped into the sea, out of remorse, after her betrayal of the Greeks by leading the Turks inside the castle near the village Kohylou.