Best Hiking Trails in Greece: 13 Routes from Easy Walks to Summit Climbs
Greece is far more than islands and beaches. Its mountains are crossed by old stone paths that once linked villages, monasteries and harbours – and many of them are now waymarked trails. From a one-hour stroll to a waterfall to a two-day climb to the throne of Zeus, here are 13 of the best hiking trails in Greece, grouped by difficulty, with links to our detailed guides.
Easy walks – for families and first-time hikers
- Polylimnio Waterfalls & Lakes (Messinia) – a signposted path of about 3 km past around 15 turquoise pools and waterfalls, about 2 hours. A swim in the lakes is the reward.
- Neda Waterfalls (Messinia–Ilia) – from the village of Platania down to the stone bridge and the falls, about 3.5–4 km each way. The full crossing of the gorge is a demanding full day.
- Pelion – the Centaurs’ Path (Thessaly) – under an hour from Portaria, along a stream with seven little wooden bridges under plane trees.
- Cape Tainaro lighthouse (Mani) – about 40–50 minutes each way to the southern tip of mainland Greece, past a Roman mosaic.
Moderate hikes – a day on foot
- Arachova – Delphi ancient path (Central Greece) – about 12 km and 5–6 hours, mostly downhill, ending above the sanctuary of Delphi.
- Kardamyli and the Viros Gorge (Mani) – 12 waymarked paths between stone villages; the classic loop through the gorge is about 11.4 km and 5–6 hours.
- Tsagarada – Damouchari (Pelion) – about 7.2 km on an old cobbled path down to a tiny harbour and beach.
- Menalon Trail (Arcadia) – Greece’s first “Leading Quality Trail – Best of Europe”, linking the mountain villages of Arcadia. Walk one section in a day or the whole trail in 8 days.
- Parnon Trail (Kynouria) – a long-distance trail between the mountains of Parnon and the sea, through chestnut forests and traditional villages.
- Andros Routes (Cyclades) – more than 180 km of marked paths on Andros, past waterfalls, Venetian towers and stone-built villages.
- Ursa Trail (Metsovo) – mountain paths around Metsovo in the Pindus mountains of Epirus.
Demanding hikes – for experienced walkers
- Vikos Gorge (Epirus) – Monodendri to Vikos, about 10 km and 6 hours through one of the deepest gorges in the world in proportion to its width.
- Papigo – Drakolimni (Epirus) – 8.4 km each way and more than 1,000 m of ascent to the alpine Dragon Lake of Mount Tymfi; best over two days with a night at the Astraka refuge.
- Mount Taygetos – Profitis Ilias (Laconia) – about 1,500 m of ascent to the 2,407 m summit above Sparta.
- Mount Olympus (Macedonia–Thessaly) – Prionia to Refuge A in about 3 hours, then on to Mytikas (2,918 m), the highest peak in Greece. The final scramble is for experienced hikers or with a guide.
At a glance
| Trail | Region | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Polylimnio | Peloponnese | Easy |
| Neda waterfalls | Peloponnese | Easy–moderate |
| Pelion paths | Thessaly | Easy–moderate |
| Mani trails | Peloponnese | Easy–moderate |
| Arachova – Delphi | Central Greece | Moderate |
| Menalon Trail | Peloponnese | Moderate |
| Parnon Trail | Peloponnese | Moderate |
| Andros Routes | Cyclades | Easy–moderate |
| Ursa Trail | Epirus | Moderate |
| Vikos Gorge | Epirus | Demanding |
| Papigo – Drakolimni | Epirus | Demanding |
| Mount Taygetos | Peloponnese | Demanding |
| Mount Olympus | Macedonia | Demanding |
When to hike in Greece
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) are the best seasons for most trails: mild temperatures, green landscapes and fewer people. In summer, walk early in the morning or head for the high mountains – Olympus, Tymfi and Taygetos are at their best from June to September – and choose shady routes such as Neda and Polylimnio, with water to cool off. In winter, the high peaks are only for equipped mountaineers.
Tips for hiking in Greece
- Carry more water than you think – many paths have no springs or shops.
- Wear proper hiking shoes: old cobbled paths are beautiful but slippery and uneven.
- Many routes are one way between villages – plan your pick-up at the end.
- Check the weather and avoid gorges after heavy rain.
We organise guided day hikes and self-guided multi-day trips on all these trails, with private transfers to the start and from the end of the hike, and hotels along the way. See all our hiking trails or tell us your plans – we reply within 24 hours.