Greece, with hundreds of mountains and a few thousand islands, offers the richest and most authentic hiking field in Europe. Countless kilometers of cobbled streets, simple paths and other rugged roads run along every slope, every gorge in Greece. The hiker has to choose between the major European trails, such as the E4 and E6, the European certified networks such as the Menalon Trail and the Andros Routes, the locally organized hiking networks, such as Santorini or Sifnos and an endless variety of marked trails that leads to peaks, villages, monuments, lighthouses and other distant destinations.
In this article we will present you the 6 most beautiful hiking trails in Greece. So, wear suitable shoes, fill your hermit crab with water, take your buttons and we start !!
1. The Vikos Gorge
The gorge of Vikos is, together with the gorge of Samaria, the two most popular hiking destinations in Greece. The route usually starts in Monodendri and ends in the village of Vikos or Mikro Papigo. Although the general direction is downhill, the course reserves a strong ascent at the end. The path is paved and well marked, however you will need to step more or less in the water in 2-3 narrow places. The return to Monodendri is done with appropriate arrangements.
Route Details
Length: 12,5km, Difficulty: 2/5, Time: 6 hours
2. The Gorge of Samaria / Crete
The gorge of Samaria has a length of 15 km, with a height of right slopes that exceeds 1,500 meters. It is a few hundred meters to a few meters wide and flows through a water-rich stream. Throughout the summer, thousands of people descend every day from Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli, on an exemplary organized path, confirming their submission to the torrential rocks.
Route Details
Length: 14,6km, Difficulty: 1/5, Time: 6 hours
3. Papigo-Astraka-Drakolimni
The Drakolimni of Gamila is located on the peaks of Τirfis, at an altitude of 2000 meters. The access of Drakolimni is one of the most satisfying mountain hikes in Greece. Starting from Mikro Papigo and going up parallel to the towering towers, the path first reaches the shelter of Astraka, opposite the elegant slopes with the airy climbing lines. We descend to Lakta Tsoumani, where we run around a small or larger – depending on the season – lake and catch away. The shelter is always open and waiting for you for a hot drink or a well-earned dinner.
Route Details
Length: 8,5km, Difficulty: 1/5, Time: 4,5 hours
4. Lousiou Gorge-Arcadia / Peloponnese
Crossing the gorge of the Lucius River is a very interesting hike, and is the most culturally and environmentally rich route of the Menalon Trail. The trail is perfect, the signage is rich and functional, the rest points are exactly where they should be. Wildlife is rich and diffuse. If you decide to make a trip to the Peloponnese yourself, this is the crossing of the ravine of Lucius.
Route Details
Length: 12,8km, Difficulty: 1/5, Time: 5 hours
5. Crossing a river in the gorge of Neda / Peloponnese
The river is a special and magical destination. The whole route is 90% in the river and that is what it is worth. While when you meet its beautiful waterfalls, get ready for magic. Requires hiking to be done by experienced hikers the hiking team.
Route Details
Length: 31km, Difficulty: 4/5, Time: 6 hours
6. Nemouta / Peloponnese
The route includes more than 20 waterfalls which are scattered throughout the course of a hiking trail in the Haratsi Gorge. Five of these waterfalls are open to the public.
Route Details
Length: 12,5km, Difficulty: 2/5, Time: 6 hours
