Greece is famous for its beautiful beaches and beautiful islands, but it is also a great destination for hiking. People usually go to places like the Samaria Gorge in Crete, but there are other impressive hikes that can be found on the mainland as well. Regardless of your skill level, be sure to enjoy this experience at least once during your vacation in this beautiful country.
On this list, read about the best hiking trails in Greece.
Parnitha Mountain
You don’t need to go far from Athens to experience nature and tranquility. Fir and pine forests are only 50 minutes’ drive from the capital of Greece, where Mount Parnitha National Park hides over 34 species of wild mammals (including deer and pigs) and 1,100 registered plant species. Roads range from easy walking through the woods to hiking on the same mountain at 4,600 feet.
Parnassus Mountain
About two and a half hours from Athens by bus or car, you will reach Mount Parnassos, famous for its archaeological site Delphi. Follow the footsteps of the ancient pilgrims as you stroll among the ancient ruins, and enjoy seeing the uninterrupted views of Corinth Bay and the distant Peloponnese.
The path is not steep, but wear proper shoes for mountain walks and fetch lots of water, especially in the summer months.
Pelio Pelion
The Pelion Peninsula is located halfway between Athens and Thessaloniki, and is famous for many scenes in the popular Mamma Mia movie. One of the best things you can do is walk into the traditional mountain villages. Stay in Volos, the main city, if you want to be by the sea, or start in one of the villages and follow (kalderimis ancient mule paths) that link one village to another.
It is best to do this over several days so that you can see all the stunning looks. In the same villages, you will find women’s restaurants, cafes and cooperatives selling homemade jam and honey.
Vikos – Aoös National Park
The Vikos – Aoös National Park is located near the Albanian border, within the Pindus mountain range. On the southern slopes of the 8,200-foot Tymfi mountain, you can go hiking in the Vikos Gorge groove, known to be the world’s deepest groove in relation to its width, and included in the Guinness Book of Records. It is between 390 and 1,600 feet deep, surrounded by steep mountains and thick forests.
There are a variety of wildlife there, such as deer, brown bears, wolves and wild cats, as well as more than 1700 species of plants. Mountain hiking trails between villages range from two to six hours.
Enjoy spending 19 miles south in the regional town of Ioannina, which houses many museums and medieval castles.
Enjoy mountain walks on Mount Parnitha
Mountain walking is a wonderful winter in Mount Parnassos
Lake in Mount Parnitha National Park
Pelion is an ideal destination for mountain hiking
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Animal diversity in Fecus Aos National Park
Parnassus Mountain
Barnitha Mountain
Mountain hiking trail on Mount Barnitha
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From Mount Parnassus in winter
From Fikos Aos National Park
One of the hiking trails in Fikus Aos National Park
