A country where about eighty percent of the landscape is made of mountains is arguably the best destination for those into trekking, hiking, and outdoor adventures.
And Greece is one of those places.
We are used to thinking about dreamy fishing villages, whitewashed islands, pristine coasts, and beautiful beaches when we think about Greece.
And that’s the main reason why most tourists are surprised when they land in Greece and find that there are mountains, hills, gorges, plateaus, and high peaks anywhere they go, from the islands to the mainland.
Greece has indeed a strong tradition when it comes to mountain sports, with hiking being one of the most popular activities during most of the year and practiced by people of all ages.
There are Alpine clubs and associations scattered everywhere, while mountain trails are often well-marked and maintained.
If you’re looking for the best hiking trails in Greece, check out the following places, I’m sure you will love them all!
Mount Olympus, Mainland Greece
Starting with the highest peak in Greece, Mount Olympus is the perfect hiking destination for experienced hikers.
This mountain range boasts over 50 peaks, which were, according to legend and Greek mythology, the place where the Olympian gods used to live.
The highest peak of them all, Mount Mytikas, rises 2,917 meters (9,570 ft), making it the tallest mountain in the country.
Such a gorgeous place, the Olympus hosts dozens of endemic species, incredible plants and trees, and a huge variety of birds.
Mount Olympus was the first national park established in Greece, back in 1938, and it features an extensive network of trails that reaches a bit more than 257 kilometers.
Top hiking trails in Mount Olympus National Park include Muses Plateau from Gortsia, Prionia – Skala – Mytikas, and Zolotas Refuge.
Mount Olympus – the tallest peak in Greece
Samaria Gorge, Crete
Considered the most beautiful and longest gorge in Europe, the Samaria Gorge is a magnificent, 13-kilometer trail (plus 3 more kilometers after the exit of the gorge to reach the nearest village of Agi Roumeli and board a boat back to civilization) that spans between the Omalos Plateau and the southern coast of Crete.
It is a fairly easy but quite long hike that can last about up to seven hours until you reach the pristine waters of the Libyan Sea.
This challenging walk is one of the many hikes that put Crete among the top hiking destinations in Greece.
In Samaria, which is also a National Park, you will be able to admire unique local protected species, including endemic flowers, bushes, birds, and the wild Cretan goat, known as agrimi, with its beautiful and very characteristic long horns.
LEARN MORE: Guide to Crete (Where to Stay & Best Things to Do
On the island of Crete you won’t want to miss the Samaria Gorge hiking trail
Viros Gorge, Peloponnese
Head to the Peloponnese for a unique hiking experience.
The Viros Gorge starts at the summit of Mount Taygetus, taking walkers slowly down to the spectacular Bay of Kardamili, a picturesque coastal town in the area.
This is a hike for those with a solid outdoor experience, as it is not very well marked and can be dangerous after heavy rains when the level of the Viros River tends to go up unexpectedly.
However, make a point to check out the springs of the Viros River, especially if you visit in the spring when they become a refreshing stop during your trail.
LEARN MORE: 10 Best Day Trips From Athens
Corfu Trail, Corfu
An amazing trail on one more big Greek island, the Corfu Trail is a long hiking path about 220 kilometers long.
It takes hikers along the hinterland villages and unspoiled valleys and mountains of Corfu, with plenty of incredible landscapes of olive groves, vineyards, and dozens of pine trees and oleanders.
Dating back to 2001, this is a fairly easy trail that you can do a bit at a time, even stopping to spend the night in one of the many traditional settlements to taste the local food, learn about unique traditions, and experience a completely different way of life.
LEARN MORE: Corfu Greece Guide (Where to Stay – Things to Do)
Corfu Trail leading to the sea
Old Strata Road, Amorgos
Quite off the beaten path, Amorgos is a solitary island of the Aegean, quite close to the Dodecanese cluster of islands, and home to one of the most impressive trails that you can walk in Greece.
The path, which is fairly short if compared to other walking trails in the country, remains the longest and oldest road on the island.
It is about 20 kilometers long, and it spreads along the rocky backbone of Amorgos, connecting different ancient villages.
Of course, the highlight of this trail is the fantastic Monastery of Hozoviotissa, a massive white religious building resting on the side of the contrasting reddish cliff.
Menalon Trail, Peloponnese
Located in mainland Greece, this 75-kilometer-long path is a magnificent mountain hiking trail in the region of Arcadia.
This is one of the most picturesque places in the Peloponnese, with impressive green landscapes, lush valleys, and impressive rugged peaks.
The first ERA-certified hiking trail in the country is made of 8 different small trails, and it is often deemed to be one of the best-rated hiking experiences in the country.
Along the way, travelers can explore unique mountain settlements where time seems to have stopped ages ago.
The trail can be considered a medium-difficulty path, and it can be a great excursion during spring and autumn.
You can learn everything about this hiking trail, including important details of the different sections of the path, by visiting the official Menalon Trail website.
Dimitsana village is on the Menalon Trail in Arcadia region central Peloponnese
Kalymnos Trail, Kalymnos
One of the best-known destinations in Greece for mountain sports, especially for climbing, Kalymnos is an island in the Dodecanese that is also home to a wonderful walking trail worth a visit.
The whole walk is quite long, about 100 kilometers, and it can take up to 10 to 12 days to complete in its entirety.
It is not a simple walking path, and it is a good idea to contact local guides if you intend to complete the complete circuit to get insights into the rugged terrain and be prepared to face the challenge.
The trail alternates a network of ancient paths that were used by local shepherds with more modern walking, taking walkers all around the entire island.
If you’re a fan of walking, this is a magnificent adventure and an excellent opportunity to explore the coast, the inner villages, the top of the mountains, the castles, monasteries, cliffs, and abandoned ruins that spread all through the island of Kalymnos.
Fira-Oia Hiking Trail, Santorini
It is a good idea to spend some time in Santorini doing a bit more than just taking gorgeous photos of its whitewashed settlements.
You can visit its archaeological ruins or, if you’re a fan of hiking, then you can walk on the border of the Caldera of this unique volcanic island.
Owner of some of the most impressive views in the Aegean, the hiking trail takes you from the capital of the island, Fira, to the enchanting settlement of Oia, on the northern tip of the island.
The trail is about 10 kilometers long, and it can take about 3 to 4 hours to hike. However, it is pretty easy to abandon the trail in any of the villages that you pass along the walk in case you are tired or if the midday sun of the Aegean is too much to bear.
Vikos Gorge, Epirus Region
If you’re looking for breathtaking landscapes and off-the-path trails, then heading to the impressive Vikos Gorge in the area of Epirus is nothing but a winning bet.
This beautiful gorge is located about half an hour from the city of Ioannina, in the mountain range known as the Pindus.
With cliffs soaring up to a thousand meters into the sky, the gorge is part of the Vikos Aoos National Park, hosting also the Voidomatis River at the bottom of the canyon, as well as other rivers, picturesque villages, and mountain peaks.
Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, the area offers not just hiking trails and trekking opportunities but also the possibility of having fun with other mountain sports such as rock climbing, rafting, and mountain biking.
Vikos Gorge is an extraordinary hiking spot in Greece
Imbros Gorge, Crete
This second popular gorge in Crete is a perfect alternative to the longer gorge of Samaria as well as a fairly easier trail, especially for those not so experienced.
The trail is about 8 kilometers long, connecting the village of Imbros, which marks the entrance to the gorge, with the seaside village of Komitades on the southern coast in front of the Libyan Sea.
This hiking trail can take anything from 2 to 3 hours to complete, and at the end of the trail, you can enjoy a refreshing swim at the nearby seaside town of Chora Sfakion, one of the most authentic villages on the island.
Sifnos Trails, Sifnos
Rather overshadowed by more popular destinations in the Aegean, the Cycladic island of Sifnos is home to several magnificent hiking paths worth exploring if spending time in the area, the Sifnos Trails Network.
On the island, visitors will be able to find many alternative paths, and many local guides will be more than happy to show you around the beauties of Sifnos’ nature.
Besides, the walking associations and tour companies on the island often also organize group walks that take place from early spring into early autumn.
The walks spread along the island, touching immaculate settlements, impressive monasteries on the end of breathtaking cliffs, abandoned ruins and castles, and the ancient gold mines that once made the Sifnos one of the wealthiest islands in Greece.
However, the most important reason to hike the trails of Sifnos is that this allows you to admire some of the 76 ancient towers scattered across Sifnos, most of them dating back between the sixth and third centuries BCE, as well as some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece.
Hike the trails of Sifnos Island in Greece where you’ll find many beautiful churches
Meteora, Thessaly
Worldwide famous, the area of Meteora is a mysterious region in Kalambaka, mainland Greece, where unique mountain rocks and high, rugged formations (also known as Meteora) host a collection of ancient, isolated monasteries that stand as if in the middle of the air. That is how the term “Meteora” is often explained.
These soaring rocks or odd pillars hosting these impressive Orthodox monasteries have been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their unique characteristics and extreme beauty.
When visiting Meteora, it is possible to venture along the different hiking routes that explore the region, passing through some of the most beautiful monasteries, including the Monasteries of Rousanou, Varlaam, Megalo Meteoro, and Agia Triada.
The whole trail is about 12 kilometers long, and it can take anything from 4 to 6 hours to complete.
The circuit is a loop path, making it easy for walkers to start and end in the same area.
What makes this circuit stand out is the diversity of its landscape, which takes walkers through unique forests and incredible rugged landscapes.
Besides, if you also plan to stop and visit the monasteries, the break visits will offer you the opportunity to take a break along the way while also learning tons about the local religious traditions and the history of the Meteora Monasteries.
Hike the trails to the monasteries of Meteora Greece
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the mountainous landscapes of Greece offer endless adventure opportunities for hikers and trekkers with every level of experience and expertise.
An ideal scenario to enjoy the country’s mild weather, Greece’s best hiking trails offer endless opportunities for a holiday that has nothing to do with the cliché seaside holiday you would expect in Greece.
From mild walks along vineyards and olive groves to paths crossing long and deep gorges, going through breathtaking cliffs, incredible picturesque settlements, old ruins, Byzantine churches, and ancient monasteries, there is a little bit of everything for everyone in one of the most fascinating countries in the Mediterranean.
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About the Author
Gabi Ancarola is a translator and travel journalist living in Crete. She regularly writes about Europe for several magazines about travel, gastronomy, and hospitality. She has published several travel guides about Greece and plans customized trips to the Greek islands. She loves cooking local dishes, taking photos, and driving on the mountain roads of Crete.