The Locals Won’t Do It, Why Should You? Hiking from Fira to Oia
- Tobi Phang-Lyn
- May 11, 2017
- 1 min read
7 miles. 18,000 steps. 73 floors. Those are some figures your fitbit or iPhone health feature might show after making the trek from Fira to Oia. The locals will tell you to rent an ATV or scooter to get around, but nothing compares to the views or sense of accomplishment the hike offers.
A scooter at the mid-way point between Fira and Oia.
The trail to Oia travels along the Caldera, or rim of the volcano. It starts in the main shopping center of Fira, transitions into a more scenic route with views of the Aegean Sea and volcano itself, and weaves in and out of more residential towns.
There is no map for the trail, though it can be mapped out on a GPS. There are signs posted along the way every so often that point toward the right direction. You’ll definitely need to follow a bit of intuition when it comes to navigating.
There are a few things to remember if you’re going to do this trail:
Bring Water
Wear Sunscreen
Take Pictures
Closed-Toed Shoes
Kay Tappan, Professor at the University of Florida, leads the way through Fira.
The trail is challenging for the most experienced of hikers. At some points the it dissolves to the edge of the road where oversized buses may be hiking hazard. Other times, the trail is all pebbles and all uphill. Caution is necessary, but a sense of adventure and positive attitude will carry you through.
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