ON FOOT · MOUNTAIN AND SUMMIT HIKES IN GREECE
The good mountain and summit hikes in Greece cap their group sizes and fill up weeks ahead. Below: the 9 to book early, what each includes and where they differ.
Travel from Chania to Xyloskalo, then walk the 18-kilometre Samaria Gorge at your own pace with an English-speaking guide such as Pari or Dafne nearby for help. Expect a long downhill hike, spring water, wild scenery, and a swim at Agia Roumeli before the ferry and bus ride home.
“It was fun, but it’s a very long day. You definitly need sturdy shoes for the walk.”
Join Trekking Hellas guides such as Nick, David, Anastasia, or Nectarios for a four-hour Mount Zas hike. You will follow an ancient rocky trail to the Cyclades’ highest summit, hear stories of Zeus and Naxos, use hiking poles if needed, and finish with a traditional Greek picnic.
“An amazing experience with amazing, patient, and encouraging guides. I brought my young son with me, and he is so proud that he made it all the way to the top!”
Climb Mount Zas, the Cyclades’ highest peak, on a 6-kilometer guided hike from Danakos. Your English-speaking guide points out ancient inscriptions, wild herbs, island views, and local myths, then serves a traditional Naxian picnic. Allow 4.5 to 6 hours, bring 1.5 liters of water, and expect rocky ground, wind, and a moderate climb.
“I Highly recommend this activity. Our guide was phenomenal! He had such great knowledge that he shared with us and he made us an incredible lunch! Once you reach the top of Mt Zas, you have the most spectacular view of all of Naxos. This was probably my favorite excursions in Greece!”
Walk through the high country of Karpathos on a 4.5-hour guided hike from the Archangelou Mychael monastery area. Guides such as Renate, Thom, or Jax lead you through pine woods, rocky paths, old shepherd shelters, and broad views toward Kyra Panagia and Mertonas. Expect a strenuous route, quiet scenery, coffee or tea, and walking sticks on request.
Spend about five hours hiking 10 km up Mount Akramitis, with 500 meters of altitude gain. Your English-speaking guide leads you through pine and cypress woods to Limeri Cave, a wartime partisan base, then to St. John Church and the summit. Pickup is offered, and groups are limited to eight people.
“A truly wonderful way to spend a day. This was my second hike with Hiking Rhode. I highly recommend this walk if you like hiking, it is a fantastic way to see the island in a different way. The hike was thoroughly enjoyable taking in different terrains and points of interest including Limeri Cave and St John Church. You are rewarded with the most stunningly beautiful panoramic views from the top. Manuela was the perfect guide, professional, friendly and full of knowledge about the area, history, plants and nature.”
Walk 12 kilometers from Prionia to Litochoro with an English or Greek-speaking mountain guide. You’ll cross wooden bridges, pass waterfalls and a cave, visit Agios Dionysios Monastery, and stop at Zeus’s baths. The five-hour hike is moderate, with repeated uphill and downhill sections.
“Superbe randonnée à travers le mont Olympe. C'était splendide avec un guide qui parlait vraiment bien anglais donc la compréhension était simple. Seul bémol selon nous, c'est le prix. Nous trouvons ça un peu chère sachant que nous devons en plus prévoir notre nourriture + eau. La sortie revient donc un peu chère mais cette randonnée valait quand même énormément la peine. En plus de ça nous étions que 4 (Guide compris), et ça c'est vraiment royal ! Nous en avons pris pleins les yeux pendant 5h à travers 12km de marche entre montées et descentes. Attention cependant : la randonnée est de niveau moyen. Les articulations sont mises à…”
From Dassia, a local guide takes you by air-conditioned minivan to Mount Pantokrator, Corfu’s highest peak. You’ll walk a 9 km circular route through protected Mediterranean countryside, with views toward Corfu Town, the northeast coast, and Albania. Transport, helmet, water, snacks, and light refreshments are included.
“Tolle Wanderroute m. Herrlichen aussichten. Geo Bicycling Dassia hatten mich extra von der Bushaltestelle ca. 4km v. Treffpunkt abgeholt u. Weil der Bus danach schon weg war, sogar zurück in meinen Ort im Norden gefahren, ohne Aufpreis!! Mega nett😊. Tolle Teilnehmer, kompetenter guide, sehr nette Chefin, leckere Verpflegung. Danke!!!”
Leave Athens for a gentle two-and-a-half-hour sunset hike on Mount Hymettus. In a group of no more than 10, your English-speaking guide leads you through pine woods to historic ruins, including a 10th-century Byzantine church built over a fifth-century Christian basilica. Pickup and free photos are available, depending on the option you choose.
“Our guide, Konstantinos, communicated with me a day ahead to confirm time and specific info for pick up. He was right on time. It was nice to take the short car ride and get out of the city for the evening. The hike was not difficult and Konstantinos stopped multiple times to point out different plants along the way and told us some history as well. He also took pictures of us at different locations which was very nice since we rarely get pictures with the whole family. The sunset was absolutely beautiful! The hike after the sunset to get back to the car was short and there was plenty…”
Start at Livadia at 8:00 am for a private six-hour hike to Timios Stavros, the 2,456-meter summit of Psiloritis. Your English-speaking guide explains Cretan myths, archaeology, geology, and the mountain’s UNESCO Geopark status. Walking sticks, water, snacks, and fees are included, but transport is not.
“Kostas did a nice job guiding us up the path. We had never used walking poles before but borrowed a pair from him and found them helpful. Top to bottom took about 5.5 hours. The walk down was more difficult than expected only because I am not used to walking down such a hilly path. All in all we enjoyed ourselves.”
Other ways to spend the day on foot
Rock, ice, forest or crater rim.
