8 Best Places for Hiking in Greece

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The great Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “You can never step in the same river twice.” This is especially true when it comes to hiking in Greece.

This is a country where you could visit an island, swim in the ocean or hike a trail that you hiked last year and find something completely different from what you remembered.

People will tell you to visit Greece for the beautiful beaches, island hopping and delicious food. But thousands of people visit the country year after year without realising that so many of these wonderful hikes are even there. 

However, as a country that’s home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe. With over 10% of its population living in rural areas, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of Greek hiking trails for you to explore. 

Greece is the place to go if you’re looking for a getaway that’s one part relaxing and one part adventure. Whether you want to experience the culture of Athens or trek through the mountains of Crete, there are plenty of opportunities for both. 

Where is the best hiking in Greece?

Greece has some of the best hikes in Europe. Here are 8 of the best Greece hiking trails that will take you through different landscapes and give you a taste of what this country has to offer.

1. Lindos Peninsula and Mountain Trail, Rhodes

One of the best places for hiking in Greece is located on the island of Rhodes. In fact, two wonderful hiking trails in Lindos offer stunning views and a great way to explore the island. 

The Lindos Peninsula Lookout is a small 2-mile hike near the city. It will give you some of the best views in Rhodes. It’s suitable for all types of travellers and is child-friendly too.

From the top, you can see the whole of the whitewashed city of Lindos, the curve of Lindos beach, and the Acropolis sitting proudly on the hilltop.

There is also a slightly more difficult Lindos Mountain Trail which is a circular route around the mountainous back of the city.

This is much more of a challenging trail due to the uneven, rocky terrain, and the number of cairns that you will need to navigate through. Plus, at some points, the path disappears completely, so you will need a good sense of direction. 

However, the rewarding views are spectacular and well worth the extra effort. From the summit, you’ll be able to see the whole of Navarone Bay from Pefkos to Lindos.

After that, the trails curl back around, snaking through a valley between the Marmari and Zara mountains (where you’ll pass several boulders that are bigger than you are!), and down to the beach.

In total, this route is 5.37 miles (8.64 km) and will take about 2.5 hours. Make sure to bring a bottle of water, especially if you’re visiting Rhodes in the summer months as it will definitely get hot. It’s also a good idea to wear comfortable walking shoes because of the rocky ground.

2. Sounion National Park, Athens

Although it’s mostly famous for the beautiful Temple of Posiden and being one of the best places in Greece to watch the sunset, Sounion is also a great place for walking in Greece.

The popular day trip from Athens is located 50km south of the capital. It’s easy to reach via taxi, or road if you are hiring a car or public transport. 

One of the best hiking trails in Sounion starts near the village of Agios Constantinos and winds through the heart of the National Park. From the village, the trail surrounds an ancient collapsed cave called the Gulch of Chaos framed with steep cliffs. 

Continue a little further and the views open up. You’ll see the city of Laviron, the island of Makronisos, and the Agia Triada church. Even further, Kitos Cave where you’ll find a selection of archaeological riches including obsidians from the island of Milos.

The trail curves around further until you reach Posiden’s Temple. Whilst at Sounion, exploring the temple is a must-see, and be sure to take plenty of photographs.

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3. Vikos Gorge, Pindus Mountains

If you are physically fit and enjoy the challenges of moderate hiking in Greece, the Vikos Gorge is definitely for you. It is situated in the Vikos Aoös National Park in Epirus northwest of the country. It’s considered one of the prettiest Greek National Parks. 

The gorge is 20 kilometres in length. It’s wild and beautiful, with a changing landscape that reflects the changes in altitude. Vikos Gorge was carved by the Voidomatis River and is the deepest gorge in the world in proportion to its width.

Easily one of the best hikes in Greece, you’ll pass villages, monasteries, single-arched bridges, and abundant wildlife.

There are several points of access along the gorge and one is the ridge-top village of Monodendri. The start of the walk is dramatic as it is a 45-minute descent to the river.

From there the trail follows the river through woodland and meadow where hundreds of plant species flourish. The hard graft is the steep ascent to the village of Vikos, but the effort is richly rewarded.

The route into the village passes the headwaters of the Voidomatis – perfect for Instagram. With a year-round temperature of 8.5ºC, this is the coldest river water in Greece.

If you visit in the summer and are feeling brave, you will certainly find a swim refreshing. This particular 16 km hike with several stops takes around five hours to complete.

4. Sfakia to Agia Roumeli, Crete

Nestled in the South Aegean Sea, Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands, but one of the more off-the-beaten and venturesome places to visit. There are more than 440 trails on the island. This guarantees a great experience for hikers at any level, to witness a variety of scenic landscapes.

The E4 trail from Sfakia to Agia Roumeli is one of the most impressive hikes that Crete offers. It is known as the southernmost point of all of Europe.

You will be crossing through the clear blue waters of the Libyan Sea, walking the edge of Sfakia’s coarse-toned mountains, and even going through remarkable gorges. 

It’s recommended for more experienced hikers (medium difficulty) given that the trail reaches an elevation of up to 2,800 feet and takes a total of 8 hours to finish.

The temperatures during the summer are also very hot, with the hike having little shade. So it’s important to be prepared with a hydration pack and the correct hiking shoes. 

Due to its offbeat and desert-like environment, it’s better to do the hike with a friend or partner since you may not see many other hikers around in case something happens.

To get to the start of the trail, you need to reach the town of Chora Sfakion. Walk to the jumpoff point on the highway following Ilingas Beach.

The hike itself passes through various beautiful destinations on the South Coast of Sfakia from Sweetwater Beach, Loutro Crete, Marmara Beach, and the Aradena Gorges, before finally arriving at the Agia Roumeli coast. These destinations are all great places to stopover.

Relax, swim, eat, camp or discover the area as they all offer stunning views of the Sfakia mountains and the Libyan Sea.

5. Samaria Gorge, Crete

One of the best places to hike in Greece, Samaria Gorge is a must-do. It’s Europe’s longest gorge and is located on the island of Crete. The 16km trail starts from Xyloskalo in the White Mountains and ends at the village of Agia Roumeli.

Since it’s a point-to-point trail, the easiest and cheapest way to complete the hike is through a tour. You can book it at any tour operator in Chania. It costs around €35 per person and includes pick-up/drop-off at your hotel, the entry fee to Samaria Gorge and a boat ticket from Agia Roumeli to Sougia.

Although the hike starts with lots of people, after the first 3km people set their own pace and it won’t feel crowded at all.

This hike is moderate, with the first 3km descending the mountain and then following the dried riverbed down the gorge. You have about 6 hours to complete the hike.

There are toilet facilities, rest places and chances to refill your water bottle with fresh Samaria water. You only need to take some food with you. If you finish early you can enjoy the beach and grab some food in Agia Roumeli.

You might want a basic level of hiking experience due to the time constraint, but Samaria Gorge is ideal for a large variety of people. It’s excellent for first-time solo travellers since you can go at your own pace but you’re never totally alone.

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6. Menalon Trail, Peloponnese

The Menalon Trail is a long mountain trail in the Arcadia region in central Peloponnese. The first trail for hiking in Greece that has been certified by ERA (European Ramblers Association) unravels through the Lousios River gorge, the western slopes of Mount Menalo, the Valley of Mylaon River to the Northeast Gortynia Mountains.

The trail unfolds along 75 kilometres which pass through nine traditional mountainous villages. Among them are the picturesque villages of Dimitsana, Zygovitsi and Stemnitsa and historical monasteries. 

There are eight sections to choose from. Depending on your stamina and experience, you can choose from shorter and aligned trails to lengthier and steeper ones.

The most well-recommended and worthy section of Menalon Trail is the one starting from Stemnitsa in the direction of Dimitsana. It’s 13 kilometres long and quite difficult.

Expect beautiful landscapes, rich greenery, colourful flowers, bridges and brooks, but also many steps and narrow paths. It is advised that all hikers are equipped with trekking shoes, water, snacks and a basic medical kit in case of injury or insect bites.

The ideal time of year to hike Menalon is between April and October. All trails are safely designed and well-orientated, for those wishing to hike on their own. Alternatively, the Vitina Trekking tour agency is highly recommended.

7. Andros Route, Andros

With year-round mild weather and stunning scenery that alternates from majestic mountain tops to pristine beaches, Greece is a true hiker’s heaven. One of the most fascinating spots for hiking in Greece is the 100km Andros Route in Andros, an island that’s renowned for its scenic ancient paths.

The 100km Andros Route starts from the northern part of the island at the old village of Frousei. It ends at the exit of Dipotamata Valley in the South. It’s easy to get to the starting point by car or taxi.

This route will take you through the island’s diverse landscape, past old watermills, small waterfalls and lush greenery. The trail is generally moderate with some difficult and slippery parts at times.

The 100km Andros Route has no shortage of fantastic viewpoints. You can enjoy breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea as far as the eye can see from many points along the trail, especially from Paleopolis and Arni.

Walking the entire Andros Route takes ten days in total. That’s why it’s more suited to adventurous solo travellers, couples and families with older kids.

What’s thrilling about this hiking experience is that hikers get to spend the night at a different village every day, tasting traditional delicacies and hanging out with locals. Hiking the Andros Route is the best way to get to know the real Andros.

8. Caldera View Hike, Santorini

Why not finish your adventure in the infamous Santorini? The Caldera View hike lets you walk the rim of the infamous caldera that shapes the island. It also offers stunning views of the surrounding towns.

Traditionally this one-way hike starts in Fira and ends in Oia, spanning 7.5 miles and taking 4.5 hours to complete. The shortened version of the trail begins in Imerovigli and ends in Oia, spanning 5 miles and taking 2 hours to complete.

The Caldera View hike moves at an easy pace with fairly even terrain and little elevation gain. It is suited for travellers of all skill levels. It’s recommended that hikers get started in the morning to beat the heat and crowds.  

Local buses connect the cities in Santorini. So it is easy to catch a ride to your starting point of Fira or Imerovigli. Gorgeous sea views along the entire route are what make this trek such a gem. 

Why this is one of the best places for hiking Greece will become apparent from the end. The hike in Oia is the ultimate payoff. That is where visitors will find the most iconic views of Santorini with whitewashed buildings and iconic blue domes.

End your hike with some lunch in Oia, and either begin your return hike or simply catch a bus back to your starting point. 

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