Walking Holidays in Greece: Our 5 Absolute Favourite Options

Where: Crete

When: May-October

Distance: 83km

Difficulty: T3 (demanding)

Best known for: Gorgeous gorges and marvellous beaches

Crete is the largest island in Greece and represents everything the country is about. The island is steeped in history and mythology. It has been subjected to the rule of nearly all great empires, such as the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. While Crete is fringed with beautiful sandy beaches and turquoise waters, it is hard to imagine it boasts some of the highest mountains and deepest gorges in Greece. It makes for superb multi-day hiking.

At Bookatrekking.com we created the Crete Trail that covers the most stunning natural parts of Crete. From the shimmering southwest coast at Sougia the trail takes you through the lush Irini Gorge along the western foothills of the White Mountains (locally known as Lefka Ori) to Omalós. From there you will venture deep into the most famous geological formation on Crete, the otherworldly Samaria Gorge. You’ll pass the “Iron Gates”, a narrow passage where the walls rise up 500 metres high on either side. After a well-deserved night on the shores of the Libyan Sea you have the opportunity to hike another spectacular gorge, the Aradena Gorge. It’s another long but rewarding day. For those who would like to take it a little easier, there’s the option to stay on the coastal trail. Both trail options finish in the charming village of Loutro. The final two days are more gentle. You can enjoy walking up and down the rugged, rocky coastline and tackle your last gorge, the Imbros Gorge.

Where: Peloponnese

When: All year

Distance: 75km

Difficulty: T2 (easy/moderate)

Best known for: Perfect mix of nature and culture

Walking the Menalon Trail is all about full immersion into Greek culture in a typical Mediterranean landscape. Pace and distance are irrelevant on this mellow walking route. Here it’s all about connecting with the land and the people who live along the trail. In 2015 the Menalon Trail was selected as a Leading Quality Trail by the European Rambler’s Association, acknowledging the unique mix of natural beauty, stunning views, picturesque villages and excellent waymarking.

The route slices through the heart of Peloponnese, a region that’s truly off the beaten track. The landscape is as diverse as it gets. You walk through olive groves, at times you follow the course of a crystal clear mountain stream and the next moment you stumble upon a centuries-old monastery carved out in a cliff. In the villages you may be invited to join for Kagianas (scrambled eggs with tomato and sausages) or diples (twisted fried dough, drizzled with honey) topped off with an Ouzo. In all its simplicity, each day on the Menalon Trail is full of surprises.

Where: Athens

When: All year

Distance: Various (day hikes)

Difficulty: T1/T2 (easy/moderate)

Best known for: Natural escape from the big smoke called Athens

Are you keen to escape the hustle and bustle of Athens, Greece's busy capital city? Just 30 kilometres north of the city you can find a haven for anyone who likes to spend time in nature. This is Mount Parnitha, the highest peak in Parnitha National Park. While the mountain is only 1413 metres high, it feels like a world away from the urban jungle. A vast network of trails around Parnitha allows you to explore every corner and niche of this outdoor gem. There are monasteries, fortresses, small caves and oddly enough a casino. You may encounter some of the 30 mammal species that roam the national park. And if you don’t feel like hiking up? Well, there’s a cable car at the foot of the mountain that can take you to an altitude of over a 1000 metres. Regardless, a visit to Parnitha National Park is a perfect day out, away from it all.

Where: Corfu

When: May-October

Distance: 156km

Difficulty: T2 (easy/moderate)

Best known for: Evergreen island with secret coves and beaches

Corfu is a stunning, sunkissed island in the Ionian Sea, close to the border with Albania. Even in summer time, it’s surprisingly green, covered with cypress and olive trees as some of its native trees. The entire island is connected with ancient donkey trails that link the small charming villages that are scattered across Corfu. Some of these trails were stitched up in 2001 to become the Corfu Trail. Originally a 220 km long walking route, the trail covers the entire island from top to bottom and can be walked in both directions. Most people will do it in a south to north direction, as most highlights are on the northern stretch. That said, you will find highlights every day in the form of secret hidden coves and beaches or unexpected encounters with the friendly locals.

The southern half of the Corfu Trail includes a small d-tour to the very southern tip of the island, Cape Asprokavos, that boasts incredible views across the Ionian Sea. As you head north, most stages have sections along Corfu’s golden beaches, including the spectacular Korission Lagoon. Make sure you bring your swimmers! For those who are interested in the cultural and religious heritage of the island, the route passes numerous monasteries, churches and archaeological sites. The northern part of Corfu is more mountainous, and the walking gets a little more strenuous. The trail eventually ascends to the highest point on the island, Pantokrator (906 m) before dipping down to the most northern point and a worthy terminus of the Corfu Trail at Agios Spiridonas.

Where: Litochoro, Macedonia Province

When: June-September

Distance: 42km

Difficulty: T3/T4 (demanding/very demanding)

Best known for: Highest mountain in Greece and home of the Greek Gods

The climb up Mount Olympus is very different from all our other walking holidays in Greece. This is a true mountain adventure, where you hike from hut to hut to the highest point in Greece at nearly 3000 metres. It’s not unlike some of our other hut to hut treks in the Alps, such as the Palaronda Trek in Italy and Mount Triglav in Slovenia. The big difference is that this mountain is steeped in history and ancient myths. According to Greek mythology Mount Olympus is the home of the 12 Olympian Gods, with Zeus as the head of the pack.

The hike starts in Litochoro, a quaint coastal village at the Aegean Sea. The trail to the Roof of Greece zigzags through a beautiful forest, high above the Enipeas Gorge to the warm, welcoming Petrostruga hut at almost 2000 metres above sea level. From here you continue the climb above the treeline as you enter the alpine terrain of the Plateau of Muses. You spend the night at the small Christos Kakalos hut, just below the imposing peak Profitis Elias, also known as the Throne of Zeus. A short but exciting traverse leads to the summits, of which Mytikas (2918 m) is the highest of them all. Climbing Mytikas is optional and only for those who are experienced and confident hikers. The final ascent of this peak is rather technical, graded as a class III scramble. Skolia peak, just 7 metres lower, is much easier and offers the same stunning views across the Olympus Range. The long descent back to Litochoro goes along the European long-distance trail E4, while hiking through the impressive Enipeas Gorge. You can end this epic climb with a dip in the Mediterranean!

Where in Greece can I find my favourite walk? Below you find an overview of our 5 best options for a walking holiday in Greece.

Food could be a sole reason to visit Greece. If you’re going hiking in Greece to lose some weight, you may be in trouble. Greek cuisine is world-famous and portions are often generous. One of the best known dishes is moussaka, a casserole dish made of aubergine, potato and spiced meat. It’s a hearty, filling meal, perfect to replenish the calories you burnt during a long day of hiking. It can get pretty hot on the trail, especially in the summer months. A Greek salad with olives, feta, cucumber and tomatoes will do the trick! Trail snacks, like Snickers and Mars Bars will melt in the burning Greek sun. Better bring a bag of Baklava, a typical Greek snack or dessert made of pastry and a nutty filling. Finally, at Bookatrekking.com, our favourite post-hiking food is pitta gyros washed away with a cold glass of Mythos lager. Kali Oreksi!

Forget about all-inclusive resorts or the Holiday Inn. Where we go, we stay in cosy, locally owned guest houses where the owners manage the place themselves. Even along our treks on the popular holiday islands of Crete and Corfu we make sure to avoid the tourist crowds and select small-scale authentic places that give you a glimpse of the real Greece. What about Mount Olympus? The Olympus mountain range has a number of mountain huts, placed in strategic locations at different altitudes. Bookatrekking.com works closely with these well-run refuges (as they call it) when we plan a hut-to-hut trek to the home of the Greek Gods. No need to carry any camping equipment!

You can go hiking in Greece year-round. However, the weather in winter time can be quite unpleasant, with more rain, wind and snow at higher elevations. Many accommodations close their business in the winter months, and it can be hard to find a place to stay along the walking routes. The best months to go walking in Greece are May, June, September and October. The weather is generally stable and temperatures are pleasant. If you choose to go in July or August bear in mind it will be busy. It may be a challenge to organise places to stay. Plus during the summer months it can get very hot. One exception is Mount Olympus. This is a high-altitude trek, and is only possible from June to September. In the winter months, the higher parts of the mountain are covered with snow and the mountain huts are closed during this time.

What you bring while walking in Greece depends on your choice of route. Needless to say that the contents of your pack is different when you trek from hut to hut to the summit of Mount Olympus instead of a low altitude walk near the shores of the Ionian Sea. Here we discuss 4 key items you should consider for your walk.

Sun protection

The Greek sun can be brutal, at any altitude. Therefore you should always bring a sun hat or a brimmed hat to cover your head and face. Other essential items to protect yourself from the sun are sunscreen, sun glasses and lip balm with UV protection. And bring enough water on the trail, at least two litres. Sturdy, reusable bottles (for example from the brand Nalgene) are a good choice. Or you could bring a water bladder like Camelbak.

Footwear

Both terrain and weather determines your choice of footwear. The relatively easy, low level paths of the Menalon Trail and the Corfu Trail may be suitable for low hiking shoes / trail runners rather than sturdy hiking boots. If you have weak ankles we recommend shoes or boots with ankle support. The Crete Trail is a mix of easy and moderate terrain. If you’re uncertain, choose hiking boots. For the climb up Mount Olympus we recommend hiking boots, as both terrain and potentially bad weather conditions require waterproof, sturdy boots. But ultimately, the choice of footwear is up to you.

Clothing

While shorts and (thermal) t-shirts will likely be sufficient on the low altitude walks, you definitely need to think through what clothing to pack for Mount Olympus. You start at sea level and you hike to an altitude of almost 3000 metres. The temperature difference is big and you should pack accordingly.

Rucksack

Your choice of rucksack can make or break your walking holiday. For our walks on Crete, Corfu and Peloponnese a day pack with a capacity of 20 litres is enough, as we organise luggage transport for you. The hut to hut trek on Mount Olympus requires a bigger pack, as you carry your own equipment for several days. A good pack size is 50 litres. Make sure your rucksack fits well. We recommend buying a pack in an outdoor shop, so you can fit different models and get advice from the sales team.

Organising a walking holiday in general can be quite a puzzle. In Greece this is no different. Getting to the various trail heads by public transport is often a challenge, with multiple changes and a lack of information online. Finding the best guesthouses in the right locations and booking these is another time consuming burden, especially for the off the beaten track routes. Most trekkers are keen to walk with a light rucksack. But how do you find a reliable company that can transport your excess luggage from one guesthouse to the other? Below we’ll explain what we can do for you to organise your hiking trip.