5 of The Best Hikes In Greece

With so many choices of hikes in Greece, it can be difficult to decide where to head. Greece has hundreds of mountains and thousands of islands to explore.

When choosing hikes in Greece, consider the distance you want to cover, features you want to see, and the area of Greece that suits you best. You can go on half-day loop trails or week-long long-distance trails. Summit mountains or follow the coast. You can expect exciting stories and fascinating architecture as you trek through the Land of the Gods.

The Menalon Trail

75 kilometres of villages, mountains, and the best nature that Greece has to offer. The trail is 200km away from Athens in Arcadia, central Peloponnese.

This interesting route is ideal for hikers who want to combine social experiences with the stunning landscape in Arcadia. That’s exactly what the developers of this trail had in mind; the perfect way to get to know Arcadian history and landscape on one journey.

To hike the entire trail takes roughly 5 days, but it wouldn’t hurt to give yourself extra days to relax and explore the villages. The Menalon Trail is very well served by 9 villages with plenty of accommodation, shops, and restaurants.

Meteora

The Meteora “Rock Forest” is home to 6 11th century monasteries built into the rock formations. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, near the town of Kalabaka, is a truly captivating place to visit.

Hikes around the Meteora are fairly short and not technical, but they can be physically demanding. Keeping in mind the monasteries are built on or into the cliffs, you can expect plenty of steep inclines and hundreds of stairs. However, the workout is well worth it. You’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views over the Meteora and its monasteries with mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Mount Olympus

Mount Olympus is one of the most famous peaks in the world thanks to its majestic beauty and important place in Greek mythology.

The mountain is the mythical throne of Zeus and the home of the Gods. It was created after a battle between the Olympians and the Titans, which the Olympians claimed as their own.

The 2,917-meter summit of Mount Olympus is the tallest in Greece, so it’s not one for the inexperienced to tackle. To reach the summit will require exposure to the elements and scrambling over the 2-day climb. If you’re not an experienced mountain climber, no worries. There are plenty of other hikes in the area that are less demanding.

Samaria Gorge on Crete

Crete is the largest and most populous Greek island. It’s also a stunningly beautiful piece of paradise with its turquoise waters, delicious cuisine, and iconic architecture. It is a must on a trip to Greece, and thankfully, it’s also a brilliant place to do some hiking.

Crete has a lot of gorges to explore, and Samaria is a frequent favourite. The hike through Samaria Gorge is 16 kilometres long. It is not too technical, but it is quite long, so you’ll want to be in good enough physical shape to spend the day on uneven terrain. At one point the gorge narrows to only 4 meters wide, which can be tricky when donkeys need to pass.

The Mani

Lovers of the coast are drawn to Greece for mile after mile of postcard-perfect beaches. One of the best ways to see as much coast as possible and find hidden gems is by exploring a peninsula on foot.

The Mani Peninsula in southern Greece is a rugged, mountainous place with many trails to choose from. Due to its varied landscape and difficult to access villages, hiking is one of the best ways to make the most of your time in this part of Greece. It does take some planning to figure out how you’ll access your start and end point. However, it is well worth it to experience this wild and ancient side of the country.