What makes Donoussa special is the comprehensive network of marked trails that covers a significant portion of the island, and we strongly recommend that you use them to get to know all the island’s beauties up close. In this regard, Donoussa resembles Iraklia. Indeed, there is also a very meticulous publication by the cultural association of Donoussa that has (so far, up to 2014) described five signposted trails on the island in detail. (This publication can be purchased in shops on the island. We bought it in a travel agency at a cost of 5 euros.)
With a total length of 9,200 meters, these trails constitute the island's Network of Paths of Cultural Interest. Most of them used to be part of the old mule roads that covered the island and united its four villages, Stavros, Mersini, Messaria, and Kalotaritissa.
Here we have path one (1), which connects Stavros with Kalotaritissa and has a total length of 3,700 meters. The trail is the most challenging (for hiking) on the island, with a maximum altitude difference of 268 meters, but it is also the most beautiful path, especially the downhill walk by the slopes of Mount Papas, toward Kalotaritissa.
You can make three detours from the trail to explore more of the island. The first begins 900 meters from the beginning of Path One (1). Turn left (to the northwest) at the fork, and for 400 meters you will enjoy the descent to Xylobatis. If you continue west toward the sea on the steep slope, you will come across the small, isolated beach of Ammoudi.
