The Menalon Trail, Peloponnese
Deep in the Arcadia region of the Peloponnese, the 75-kilometer Menalon Trail offers a journey into what locals call 'the real Greece'. This was the first trail in Greece to be certified by the European Ramblers' Association, a testament to its beauty
and maintenance. The path connects a series of nine traditional mountain villages, following old mule tracks that date back centuries. Trekkers will wander through the dramatic Lousios Gorge, pass monasteries built precariously into cliffs, and cross historic stone bridges over rushing rivers. While the full route takes several days, individual sections can be tackled as day hikes, each offering a blend of dense fir forests, quiet river valleys, and panoramic mountain vistas without the coastal crowds.
The Corfu Trail, Ionian Islands
Stretching nearly 180 kilometers from the island's southern tip to its northernmost point, the Corfu Trail is a comprehensive tour of one of Greece's greenest islands. The path was created by linking a network of old tracks and cobbled paths, guiding walkers through a diverse landscape of rolling olive groves, sandy beaches, and sleepy hamlets that most tourists never see. The trail is divided into stages, allowing for flexible itineraries. Highlights include ascending to viewpoints that reveal both the east and west coasts, exploring the UNESCO-listed historic center of Corfu Town, and taking refreshing swims in the turquoise Ionian Sea after a day's walk. While some mountain sections are challenging, much of the trail is of low to moderate difficulty, making it accessible to most reasonably fit hikers.
The Samaria Gorge, Crete
For a truly epic experience, the Samaria Gorge on the island of Crete is one of Europe's longest and most famous canyons. This 16-kilometer hike descends from the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea, offering a dramatic change in scenery along the way. The trail follows a riverbed through a national park, passing the abandoned village of Samaria, where stone houses offer a ghostly glimpse into the past. Historically, the rugged gorge served as a secure hideout for Cretan freedom fighters during various occupations. The hike's most famous feature is the 'Iron Gates,' a point where the gorge walls soar hundreds of feet high but are only three meters apart. The journey ends at the coastal village of Agia Roumeli, which is accessible only by foot or boat, completing a truly memorable adventure.
Fira to Oia, Santorini
While not ancient in the same vein as a mule track, the path connecting Fira and Oia on Santorini follows the island's most historic route: the caldera rim itself. This roughly 10-kilometer walk offers some of the most iconic views in all of Greece, tracing the edge of the volcanic crater high above the deep blue Aegean. The path links the main towns of Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Oia, winding past whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches, and luxury hotels carved into the cliffside. While the walk can be completed in a few hours, most hikers take their time, stopping frequently for photos. It is a walk through a landscape shaped by one of history's most powerful volcanic eruptions, combining raw geology with postcard-perfect villages.
