Italian Observatory

The most interesting hiking route on the island starts from the port and ends in about 3,100 meters near the island’s northwestern edge, at the ruined building that the Italian army built in the pre-war period to use as an observatory. From this point, one could watch over all the maritime traffic. To get there from the port, we head up to the north on the island’s only paved road, proceeding about 500 meters to the top. We then turn left toward the animal enclosure that we see above us, and continue for another 100 meters. At the livestock pen, we go through a gate and head west (not north to Limnari). From here we need to be careful not to lose our way, and keep heading northwest. The shell of the observatory will not be visible in the background until we have walked at least half the route. The view there is beautiful, one could sit there for hours, just gazing at the endless blue of the Aegean.