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T he scenery commences after about 8Km from Naxos Town, close by the 8th century Agios Mamas Church. This is a down path to the left and was once the Cathedral of Naxos possessing some remarkable 7th century icons.
Sagri - Kato Sagri possesses the remains of a Venetian castle while Ano Sagri boasts the Monastery of Agios Eleftherios. The latter became Krifo Scholio -a secret school for Greek children during the Turkish occupation- and now houses a Folk Museum. There is also an archaeological site and beyond still on the main Halki road, the 16th century Monastery of Timios Stavros as well as the 15th century Church of Kaloritsa with a number of frescoes.
Halki (16Km) - is a pretty village at a high altitude, set down on great plain of olive trees. There are a number of fortified tower houses, including the remarkable Pirgos of Frangopoulou.
Filoti is a beautiful village situated on the flank of Mountain Zas. At about 22 Km from Naxos Town the road advances to Danakos village, famous for the Monastery of Christ Fotodoti which is above the village to the north.
Apiranthos (27Km) is one of the prettiest villages in Naxos and supposed to have originally been settled by Cretans.
Detour - to Moutsouna (11Km from Apeiranthos - 38Km from Naxos Town). Is the coastal village of Apiranthos and was the quarrying of emery. The stone was bucketed down in aerial-cable ways from the workings, ridding the surrounding mountainsides. Apart of that it is a quiet village with sandy beach, taverns, mini markets and accommodation. From Moutsouna, a detour on detour leads to Psili Ammos (47 Km from Naxos Town), a spread-out agricultural backyard and a long sand backed beach.
The road continues up tp the lovely small cove and beach of Panermos (the last kilometre is rough track)
Back on the main route again and a stop for a few minutes at Stavros Keramotis is worth. There is a view of the sea on both sides (east & west) of the island.
Koronos (36Km) is the next village. It is a stepped village scrabbling up the mountain sides and renowned for its emery mines. A turning off to the right, 0.5Km prior to Koronos, proceeds east to the Church of Panagia Argokiliotissa which on the Friday aster Easter, plays host to horders of worships.
Returning to Koronos, the main route proceeds to the village of Skado and Koronida (Komiaki) (43Km from Naxos Town).
The village is built at the highest altitude (700m) and is renowned -as well as all surrounding villages- for its wine.
The views are splendid and the surrounding countryside is particularly lush and lovely, the road being shaded by bowers of trees and cleft by mountain streams.
Apollon, the picturesque fishing village is the last stop.
On the return trip, you may follow the coastal road as described by route "Apollon via Galini & Eggares".
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