There is some awesome hiking in Greece that any visitor who loves to hike will enjoy! Greece is a country known for its turquoise waters, sandy beaches, and snow-white buildings set upon rocky cliffs. But it might surprise you that this country, thanks to diverse landscapes, including meadows, mountains, hillsides, and forests, has a long list of Greek hiking trails to satisfy even the most adventurous traveler.
Though you won’t find simple classics like the Acropolis on this list of the best hikes in Greece, we can promise that those we have listed should be on your radar if you’re planning to visit this beautiful Mediterranean country. Whether you’re a mountain climber or more interested in shorelines, there’s something for everyone.
Of course, this isn’t even the tip of the iceberg as there is so much to explore in Greece, but it should give you a great starter for hiking in Greece.
Where to Go Hiking in Greece
Vikos Aoos National Park
- Location: Zagori, Epirus, Midwestern Greece
To start this hiking in Greece post I have to mention Vikos Aoos National Park. Located in the center of mainland Greece, this region is often overlooked regarding scenery, but it has just as much to offer as the most popular sports in the country. Vikos Aoos is the region’s resident national park, and you’ll find a long list of traditional stone villages and views that parallel even the islands.
There’s a mountain range with peaks up to 2000 feet, and views of nearby drakolimni (“dragon lakes”), so named because of the folklore that dragons inhabited. The infighting between the dragons resulted in the existence of the nearby mountain ranges. One of the best hikes in Vikos Aoos is Drakolimni, which is a 15.4 kilometer and 1,367 meters – so a big day out but so much reward!
Next Try the Vikos Gorge - one of the deepest in the world - for something a little more daring.
Kythira Trails
- Location: Kythira Island, south of the mainland
This is an easy hike in Greece with incredible scenery and a bonus history lesson, so it’s a win-win-win. The hike is located on the island of Kythira, and this route has a starting point in Mylopotamos, a village just inland from the island’s western coast.
This short hike is less than two hours and will take you through the island’s ancient watermills, alongside mystical waterfalls, and across a small river. Be sure to work in a visit to the Filippi watermill, which has been restored to function.
The end of the trail has beautiful plunge pools perfect for a year-round dip.
Mount Olympus
- Location: On the border between Thessaly and Macedonia.
It wouldn’t be a list of best hikes in Greece without mentioning the best-known peak in the entire Mediterranean region. Mount Olympus is the highest peak in the country (hence its mythical status as the home of the gods), so if views are your priority, you won’t be disappointed.
Olympus is a national park, so there are actually numerous mountain peaks (52, to be exact) and over 160 kilometers of trails suited to a variety of skill levels. The entire area is a haven for wild flora and fauna. Combined with the vistas, this is basically heaven on earth. If you want to hike up to actual Mount Olympus expect a long day out – 24.0 km and over 2000 meters of gain, but to say you summited the famous peak is well worth it!
Mount Olympus itself (the main mountain) should only be undertaken by expert hikers.
Sifnos Trail
- Location: Sifnos Island
Starting in Apollonia Village, the Sifnos trail is located on Sifnos Island and one of the best things to do in Sifnos. This is what hiking in Greece is all about. This Greek hike is moderate in difficulty, but at seven hours, it is manageable. We’d recommend at least an intermediate skill level for this route, but you don’t need to be an expert.
The trail goes through steeper areas (stairs are carved into these spots for easier navigation), but along the way, you’ll pass protected natural reserves in the hillsides, beautiful flora, and some of the best views of the Aegean Sea. There’s also a beautiful ancient monastery for additional sightseeing along the way.
Don’t miss the folklore museum in the main village.
The Menalon Trail
- Location: Arcadia, Peloponnese
If you’re looking for some epic hiking in Greece this one is for you. This hike is a long one, but it is one of the best things to do in Greece! At 75km long, the Menalon Trail runs through the mountains of Gortynia in central Peloponnese. As far as scenery, you’re treated to a little bit of everything on this hike – from mountains and dry canyons to lush valleys.
The route is divided into eight parts, all ranging in difficulty, to ensure that some of the routes are accessible to even novices but not too boring for more seasoned hikers. No matter where you walk along this route, you’ll pass through beautiful landscapes and picturesque ancient villages.
The eight sections have options for shorter hikes in case you prefer something that won’t take up your whole day.
Parnitha Mountain
- Location: A half-hour drive from the center of Athens
When thinking of hiking, Athens isn’t usually a place that comes to mind. But Parnitha Mountain, located just outside the city, is an easy addition to the list of best hikes in Greece. There are multiple routes up the mountain, with varying difficulty levels despite each one being uphill to different summits.
Regardless of the route, the climb to the peaks is about three hours up and around one and a half hours back down, so this will take around half your day. At the top, try rakomelo—a drink made from alcohol and honey. There are also meal options if you’re hungry.
Heads up—be prepared for no cell phone service on the mountain.
Corfu Trail
- Location: Corfu Island
At 220 kilometers in length, the Corfu Trail on the island of Corfu is definitely one of the longer ones on this list. If you decide to tackle it, it’s one of the best things to do in Greece. Unless you plan to bring plenty of camping gear, most people tend to choose a section and treat it as a day hike.
The trail leads away from the busier tourist areas of the island into more unspoiled natural regions. There is a huge variety of natural surroundings here, like beaches and dunes, olive groves, and plateaus and gorges in the north.
The route for the annual marathon follows the Corfu trail in a few places, but is otherwise a completely different route. Be sure to follow the correct signage!
Pelion (Old Mule Trails)
- Location: Mideastern coast of mainland Greece
This is another hike that welcomes all levels, and it’s pretty fascinating to boot. The Pelion Peninsula is located halfway between Athens and Thessaloniki. It is a lush region where the old mule paths that used to link villages can be found. Today, these ancient paths serve as historical hiking paths for travelers.
Because these trails linked settlements, you can start from many different towns in the region, each more beautiful than the last thanks to rich biodiversity that has resulted in a considerable variety of greenery. This is a much quieter alternative to the Greek islands.
Look out for tiny fishing villages and secret beaches for an island-like experience.
Vikos Gorge
- Location: Zagori, Epirus, Midwestern Greece
We briefly mentioned this insane gorge at the top of the list, since it’s located in Vikos Aoos National Park. The Guinness Book of World Records lists this gorge as the deepest in the world relative to its width. It lies on the slopes of Mount Tymfi and is half a kilometer at its deepest point.
The hike is around 12km long, and the area is well known for stone bridges and old monasteries. Between that and the views, you’re in for a treat on this hike. Some of the pathways are narrow ledges on the sides of the gorge, so be aware that the danger level is a bit higher here.
All About the Vikos Gorge Trail
The best route to descend into the gorge is through the village of Monodendri.
The Battery Trail, Kefalonia
- Location: Fiskardo, Kefalonia
Some of the best hiking in Greece can be found here. Moderate in length (3.5 hours) and well-suited to beginners, this is a nice middle ground hike. The starting point is located in Fiskardo, a very popular seaside town. It’s more of a walk than a hike. You’ll wander along ancient cobblestone pathways and ancient (empty) settlements before reaching an abandoned German military base from World War II.
Once you reach the strawberry groves (doesn’t that sound pretty magical?), you’ll reach the pathways leading down to beautiful white-sand beaches, where you can relax for the rest of your day. This is perfect year-round, even in the summer, thanks to shade from foliage.
Add Kimilia Beach to your list, too—it’s got beautiful clear waters perfect for a swim.
Neda Waterfalls
- Location: Peloponnese
If river trekking sounds cool to you, then make a note of this one. Neda is a river that passes through the Peloponnese region, in an area extremely well-known for its beautiful waterfalls.
Despite the natural beauty of its surroundings, this hike remains largely unknown and is still considered a bit off the beaten track. If you’re keen to avoid huge crowds (luckily with hiking, in general, this is pretty easy), then this could be an excellent option for you if you don’t mind getting your feet wet.
Look for the kiosk selling ice cream and the little sign stating ‘waterfalls this way,’ and you’ll be on your way. It’s hard to find at first, but once you’re on the trail, all you need to do is follow the river. The pools at the end are a beautiful oasis for a swim.
This is a very untouched spot, with little to no paved areas or handrails, so wear appropriate footwear.
Samaria Gorge
- Location: Crete, southern Greece
Crete is known for its gorges, with Samaria Gorge being perhaps its best-known one. One way, this hike takes four to six hours, depending on your starting point, so it’s not to be undertaken lightly. The trail is around 16 kilometers long, following the river and passing through Byzantine ruins. There are alternative (shorter) routes if you’re not keen on the whole thing.
At the end of the path is Agia Roumeli beach, a beautiful rocky Crete beach perfect for a swim; if you have time, that is, because this is where a boat will wait to take you back if you’re not going back the way you came.
Wear proper footwear, since parts of this hike right along the river will have you walking on rickety wooden paneling.
The Wet Stone Quarry Trail
- Location: Taxiarches-Drama
This is an easy hike, but it still takes a good three hours and is seven kilometers long. It starts in the village of Taxiarches on the Greek island of Lesbos, an area marked by huge abandoned marble quarries. Located at the base of Falakro Mountain, a river formed when (long ago) stone workers hit an underground creek instead of a marble vein; water soon filled the chasm, resulting in today’s lake.
The walk through the surrounding oak forest is rife with these ancient quarries. It’s fascinating to walk the footsteps of the long-gone marble workers in modern times.
The start and endpoint of the hike are in front of the Jennifer Home Hotel.
Meteora Monasteries
- Location: Kalampaka
Located around a four-hour car journey from Athens, the Meteora Monasteries were a series of 24 monasteries, with six still in operation today. They sit atop incredible rock formations that developed from a series of ancient earthquakes, near the town of Kalampaka. You can trek the areas in the region, including heading up to some monasteries. They sit very high, so be prepared for an upward climb and bring good shoes.
Local companies in the area offer guided tours if you prefer a local to take you around, but you are also free to do your own thing.
All About the Meteora Monastery
The monastery has a dress code - a long skirt (no pants) and a shawl around their shoulders for women, and long pants for men.
Plan For a Hiking in Greece
How Much Does a Trip to Greece Cost?
So how much spending money per day should you have in Greece? Asides from the pre-trip expenses like airfare, luggage, and any Greece packing list items you’ll want to buy I believe you can get by in Greece for under
That’s if you’re staying in cheap accommodation, not drinking much alcohol, cooking your meals and eating paninis, and not partaking in costly activities. If you want to travel on a more modest and comfortable budget I would plan on spending €100 per day. If you want to learn more check out our post on what a trip to Greece costs.
Total Two Week Trip to Greece Cost (pp)
| Budget | Cost |
| Backpacker | €500 – €750 |
| Basic | €800 – 1,400 |
| Mid Range | €1,400 – 2,000 |
| High End | €2,000 – €4,000+ |
Flight to Greece
Like most travel, your flight to Greece will be your number one expense. It’s best to book in advance if you know your travel dates. If you have flexibility with your schedule, you stand a greater chance of scoring a deal. We like to use Google Flights and Skyscanner’s open search feature to find good deals in Greece. This can drastically determine what a trip to Greece costs.
The summer can hurt when it comes to flight prices to Greece. It’s common even with advance booking to spend $1,500 USD per ticket from the states. While in Europe flight prices can be found for a bargain of less than €100 regularly.
Luggage for Greece
You’ll need to decide if you want a backpack or suitcase for your Ireland trip. I personally like to travel with a hard shell suitcase for my clothes and use a carry-on backpack for my important electronics. See a few of our posts here for recommendations:
Get Travel Insurance
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READ MORE GREECE TRAVEL TIPS
I hope you enjoyed this guide on the best hikes in Greece. Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few relevant articles for more travel around Greece!
- When is the Best Time to Visit Greece
- The Best Things to do in Corfu
- The Best Things to do in Milos
- The Best Things to do in Rhodes
- The Best Things to do in Paros
- The Best Things to do in Naxos
- The Best Things to do in Santorini
- The Best Things to do in Mykonos
Greek Travel Planning Resources
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Yasou” and “Efharisto”
- Currency: Euro – (EUR) – €
- Visa: Schengen visa. Which is 90 days in the European Union out of 180. Many nationalities are granted this on arrival for free. Check with your embassy to see if that is you.
- Weather: The weather in Greece is a Mediterranean climate. This means winters are mild and rainy, while summers are warm and dry with plenty of sunshine throughout the year.
- What to Pack: Warm weather clothes and a swimsuit, don’t forget a good pair of clothes to go and a jacket for cool nights. Read about what to wear in Greece.
- Budget: If you’re in the initial stages of planning, check out our awesome post that breaks down how much a trip to Greece costs.
- Rent a Car: We suggest most visitors consider renting a car for the best trip possible. Try Discover Cars to compare quotes from different rental agencies. Check Price Here!
- Protect Your Trip: Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance! We always carry travel insurance to protect us from injury, theft, or a canceled trip. We use HeyMondo for our insurance needs.
- Tours in Greece: Check out our list of the best tours you can enjoy in Greece!
- Travel Adapter: Make sure you find a good adapter to keep your personal electronics charged. Otherwise, you may be paying for a cheap one once you land. Purchase one here.
