Canyons for Hiking Samaria Gorge, Crete, Greece
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12 Beautiful Hiking Trails in Greece That Are Basically Myths Come to Life

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If we told you to think about the best hiking destinations in Europe, you’d likely conjure images of the Dolomites in Italy, the Swiss Alps in Switzerland, and Mont Blanc in France. Therefore, it might be a surprise when we tell you that Greece is one of Europe’s most underrated hiking locations. 

Mainland Greece and the Greek islands are home to pristine white-sand beaches, lush countryside, and rugged mountain terrain, which serve as a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Greece has everything, from Mount Olympus and Samaria Gorge to the Tomb of Kleoboulos and Stefanos Crater. To learn more, here are 12 beautiful hiking trails in Greece that offer impressive views.

Mount Olympus Hike, Olympus Massif

12 Beautiful Hiking Trails in Greece Mount Olympus Hike, Olympus Massif
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Let’s start this list with Greece’s most iconic hiking trail. Home of Zeus, King of the Gods, Mount Olympus is the tallest mountain in Greece. Located in the Olympus Massif at the border of Thessaly and Macedonia, it stands 9,573 feet (2,918 meters) tall and offers spectacular vistas of Greece’s rugged landscape.

However, reaching the top of Mount Olympus is a challenging feat. To get to the top, hikers must tackle a grueling 15-mile (24.1-kilometer) hike that usually takes approximately two days. You didn’t think it would be that easy to reach the home of the gods, did you? The climb starts in Litochoro.

Read also: Most Expensive Greek Islands

Vyros Gorge on the Kardamyli Loop, Peloponnese

Beautiful Seaside Greek Towns That Are Not on Islands Kardamyli
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Another epic hiking trail that leads to a stunning gorge is the Vyros Gorge trail, which forms part of the Kardamyli loop in the Peloponnese. This trail is an excellent choice for exploring Greece’s breathtaking scenery while also visiting a charming coastal town and historic monastery.

Starting at the coast in Kardamyli, this moderate to challenging hiking trail is 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) long and takes up to six hours to complete. From Kardamyli, you’ll follow the Kalamata River to Vyros Gorge. After reaching the gorge, you’ll visit the Monastery of Pogonitsa. As you would expect, this trail offers scenic views, intriguing sights, and beautiful architecture.

Read also: Stunning Seaside Towns on Mainland Greece

Tomb of Kleoboulos Trail, Rhodes

Historic Sites in Greece_Rhodes
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If you’re looking for something a little bit easier, consider taking on the Tomb of Kleoboulos Trail on the island of Rhodes. Found on the outskirts of Lindos, a beautiful Greek town famed for its ancient hilltop acropolis and stunning whitewashed architecture, this hiking trail is only 3 miles (5 kilometers) long.

However, that doesn’t stop it from offering extraordinary coastal views. Admittedly, the tomb itself isn’t too impressive, but the scenery along the hiking trail and sweeping views of Lindos are worth the walk. I did this hike when I visited Lindos, and my favorite thing about it was the view of the crystal-clear emerald waters below. There’s also a pretty cool windmill along the trail.

Read also: Amazing Villages in Greece

Stefanos Crater Trail, Nisyros

12 Beautiful Hiking Trails in Greece Stefanos Crater Trail, Nisyros
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If you’re searching for Greece’s most dramatic landscape views, we strongly recommend taking the Stefanos Crater Trail in Nisyros. Nisyros is an idyllic Greek island in the Aegean Sea best known for its whitewashed architecture and volcanic landscape. However, Stefanos Crater is the biggest draw to the island, especially with hikers.

Stefanos Crater is an unforgettable caldera (a crater formed when a volcano collapses) that offers one-of-a-kind views and a unique hiking experience. It’s not every day you get to hike around the rim of a collapsed volcano. Starting in Mandraki, this 5-mile (8-kilometer) hike takes approximately two to three hours. Despite the area’s lunar-like landscape, the trail around the caldera is relatively easy.

Read also: Best Greek Islands For First-Time Visitors

Agia Paraskevi to Damouhari, Pelion Peninsula

12 Beautiful Hiking Trails in Greece Agia Paraskevi to Damouhari, Pelion Peninsula
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Considering Greece is famous for its tropical-esque coastline, it would be rude not to include at least one hiking trail on our list that makes the most of it. The Agia Paraskevi to Damouhari hiking trail on the Pelion Peninsula offers hikers the opportunity to explore Greece’s lovely coastline at a leisurely pace.

The trail is only 3.5 miles (5.5 kilometers) long but offers delightful views of the area’s emerald waters, lush forests, and verdant cliffs. Super easy, the hike will take you roughly one to two hours to finish. The starting point of the trail is Tsagarada (Agia Paraskevi Square). It leads you along the coast to Damouhari Beach, where you can enjoy soft sand and shimmering emerald water.

Read also: Awesome Spots in Greece for First-Timers

Menalon Trail, Peloponnese

12 Beautiful Hiking Trails in Greece Menalon Trail, Peloponnese
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The following Greek hiking trail on our list is perfect for experienced hikers seeking the adventure of a lifetime and a serious challenge. This multi-day hiking trail on the Peloponnese at the Southern tip of mainland Greece is a whopping 47 miles (75 kilometers) long. Unsurprisingly, it’s a challenging hike that only experienced hikers should take on.

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Having said that, the route can be divided into sections, so you could hike smaller parts of the trail if you wish. Starting in Stemnitsa and ending in Lagkadia, the monumental Menalon Trail allows you to explore Greece’s picturesque landscapes, ancient villages, lush fauna, and flora. You’ll glimpse the Old Philosophou Monastery, Mylaion River, Lousios River Gorge, and the slopes of Mount Mainalo during the hike.

Read also: Amazing Greek Experiences for Your Bucket List

Meteora Hike, Kalambaka

12 Beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece The Meteora Monasteries
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Meteora is a region in northwestern Greece famed for its breathtaking natural landscapes and ancient monasteries, which sit precariously atop enormous sandstone columns. These medieval monasteries are a sight to behold, so you don’t want to miss them. One of the best ways to view them is on the Meteora Hike.

There are many hiking trails in Meteora, but the Meteora Hike goes past the best viewpoints and two magnificent medieval monasteries. The trail starts north of Kalambaka, leading straight to the Holy Trinity Monastery. From there, the 5.6-mile (9-kilometer) out-and-back trail heads towards Psaropetra lookout, Roussanou Monastery, and Kastraki village before you turn around and make the return trip to Kalambaka.

Read also: Amazingly Cheap Places To Visit in Greece

Fira to Oia Hike, Santorini

12 Beautiful Hiking Trails in Greece Fira to Oia Hike, Santorini
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If you’re lucky enough to visit Santorini, take on the Fira to Oia hiking trail. While it can be tempting to spend your vacation on the island sipping cocktails, relaxing by the pool, and taking photographs of the iconic blue domed roofs, there is much to see and do, so get out there and see it.

The 6-mile (10-kilometer) Fira to Oia Hike is one of the best ways to experience the island’s picturesque scenery. Of course, it also allows you to explore two of the island’s most iconic destinations. The hike takes two to four hours, depending on how fast you go. You’ll also want to leave plenty of time to explore Fira and Oia. The views from Firastefani are particularly noteworthy.

Read also: Things To Do on the Greek Islands Before You Die

Lycabettus Hill, Athens

12 Beautiful Hiking Trails in Greece Lycabettus Hill, Athens
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Lycabettus Hill is by far the most urban hiking trail on our list. However, it’s arguably the most impressive, as it sits in the center of Athens, Greece’s historical capital city. Standing proudly above the city at 900 feet (274 meters), this verdant hill offers the most sublime views of the city. However, the short hike is intense.

Despite only being 0.9 miles (1.4 kilometers) long, the Lycabettus Hill hike is steep and rugged. You’ll find yourself hiking among dense shrubbery and up a steep staircase. The fact the hill has a cable car to the top tells you how challenging the trail is. However, the 360-degree city views are worth the effort.

Read more: Athens, Greece

Samaria Gorge Trail, Crete

Canyons for Hiking Samaria Gorge, Crete, Greece
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Hiking the 10-mile (16-kilometer) long Samaria Gorge is regarded as one of Crete’s best things to do. It offers travelers a fascinating insight into the island’s mesmerizing natural beauty and an escape from the busy resorts. The Samaria Gorge Trail takes approximately four to six hours to complete and is suitable for all ability levels, so long as you have decent enough fitness levels.

However, the terrain is also quite rugged and rocky. During the hike, you’ll pass through a deep gorge on your way to the picturesque village of Agia Roumeli. The vertical walls that line the gorge are up to 1,640 feet (500 meters) in sections, so don’t forget your camera.

Read also: Inexpensive Cities To Visit in Greece

Kritsa Gorge, Crete

12 Beautiful Hiking Trails in Greece Kritsa Gorge, Crete
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The penultimate hiking trail on our list is another beautiful gorge walk in Crete. One of Eastern Crete’s most spectacular canyons, Kritsa Gorge offers hikers scenic views, diverse scenery, and some protection from the harsh Greek sunshine. The trail is 7 miles (11 kilometers) long and takes up to 6 hours to complete.

Flanked by tall cliffs, this trail follows a lovely riverbed dotted with olive and oak trees and vibrant wildflowers. If you don’t want to take the entire route, you can take the shorter one, which is only 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) long. Because this trail is rocky and uneven, sturdy footwear and reasonable fitness are required.

Read also: Extraordinary Medieval Cities and Towns in Greece

The Valley of the Watermills, Kythira

12 Beautiful Hiking Trails in Greece The Valley of the Watermills, Kythira
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The final hiking trail we have for you is the Valley of the Watermills on the island of Kythira. This stunning circular hiking trail, which starts and ends in Mylopotamos, offers hikers a fantastic opportunity to explore the island’s best-hidden gems. You can expect picturesque waterfalls, emerald plunge pools, lush forests, stone bridges, watermills, and churches.

The hiking trail is called the Valley of the Watermills because you’ll pass 23 watermills along the way. However, the main draw is the incredible Castle of Kato Hora, where the trail ends. Depending on your speed, this trail is 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) in total, taking up to three hours to complete.

Read also: Top Places on the Greek Islands for Digital Nomads

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