Greece is a country to be discovered on foot. On paved paths inherited from Antiquity, between dry-stone walls bordered by wild thyme, facing a sea of a blue you thought was reserved for postcards. From the vertiginous gorges of Crete to the coastal trails of Corfu, by way of the kalderimia of the Cyclades, here is our selection of the finest walks, island by island.
Crete: gorges, wild coasts, and mountain villages
The largest Greek island offers a breathtaking diversity of landscapes. Its deep gorges, cultivated plateaus, and carved coastline compose an exceptional playground for walkers.
Samaria Gorge
The great classic. A sixteen-kilometre trail that plunges into a mineral world, crosses a forest of Cretan cypress, and ends at the famous "Iron Gates," where the cliffs leave only a three-metre passage. At the exit, the village of Agia Roumeli welcomes you with your feet in the water and a grilled fish facing the Libyan Sea.
From Loutro to Marmara
One of the finest coastal trails in Crete. From Loutro, accessible only by boat or on foot, the path climbs up the cliff and follows the south coast with a continuous panorama over the sea. The blue is so deep it becomes unreal. Return possible by caique, face offered to the warm wind.
Imbros Gorge
The gentle alternative. Shorter and less crowded than Samaria, the Imbros Gorge winds between walls sculpted by time, beneath wild fig trees. The air is fragrant with thyme and sage. At the end, the village of Komitades welcomes walkers with Cretan simplicity: a table in the shade, olives, fresh cheese.
The Lassithi Plateau
Far from the coasts, another face of Crete. Ringed by mountains, dotted with windmills, this fertile plateau lives to the rhythm of the agricultural seasons. The walk here is gentle, between orchards and villages where time seems suspended.
All our favourite trails in Crete
Corfu: between centuries-old olive groves and emerald sea
Corfu is the greenest of the Greek islands, the most Venetian too. Beneath its olive canopies, along its white cliffs fringed with turquoise coves, the air carries the scent of jasmine and wild sage.
Paleokastritsa and Angelokastro
The path first follows an olive grove before dropping towards the sea. The waters shift between turquoise and deep blue. Higher up, the Byzantine fortress of Angelokastro offers a panorama over the entire north-west coast, from a promontory where inhabitants sought refuge during invasions.
From Kassiopi to Kouloura
One of the gentlest coastal walks on the island. The trail weaves between maritime pines and pebble beaches, linking fishing villages where time seems to have stopped. At Kouloura, the tiny horseshoe harbour, bordered by cypresses, is one of the most photographed scenes in Corfu.
Porto Timoni
Twenty minutes from Afionas, on a stony path through fragrant maquis, to discover a narrow strip of land separating twin bays. Depending on the wind, you choose your shore. The waters are an almost unreal blue, visitors are rare, and the sense of discovery is intact.
All our favourite trails in Corfu
Sifnos: the island where walking and eating are one and the same pleasure
Sifnos has thirty waymarked trails, a network of kalderimia inherited from the time when people walked from one village to the next. The island is also the gastronomic capital of the Cyclades.
From Apollonia to Kastro
One of the island's finest trails. You leave the lanes of the small capital for a kalderimi bordered by dry-stone walls. White chapels punctuate the walk, and Kastro appears, clinging to its cliff. This fortified village offers from its terraces a panorama of quiet beauty, with a Greek coffee facing the blue of the Aegean.
Vathy Bay
A coastal trail that skirts deserted coves before opening onto this round, almost enclosed bay, sheltered from the wind. A few houses, a monastery, and tavernas whose reputation extends far beyond the island's shores. Here you taste the finest Sifniot cooking, with your feet in the sand.
From Faros to Chrysopigi
The south coast holds a walk of great gentleness. You swim at Glyfos, dry off on the smooth rocks, then reach the monastery of Chrysopigi, set on its promontory. The most famous image of Sifnos, and one of the most beautiful in the Cyclades.
All our favourite trails in Sifnos
Santorini: the caldera on foot
Santorini is more than its sunsets. The ridge trail between Fira and Oia, ten kilometres facing the caldera, is one of the finest walks in all of Greece. Further on, the basket-shaped vineyards, the fortified villages, and the Akrotiri lighthouse hold surprises for those who dare to leave the terraces.
All our favourite trails in Santorini
Naxos: the largest Cyclade on foot
Naxos is the walkers' island par excellence in the Cyclades. Mount Zeus, the archipelago's highest point, the Tragea Valley with its Byzantine churches hidden beneath the olives, and the southern coastal trails leading to deserted beaches compose a varied and generous walking terrain.
All our favourite trails in Naxos
Amorgos: the Big Blue island on foot
Amorgos is the wildest of the Cyclades you can visit. The Hozoviotissa Monastery clinging to its cliff above the sea, the island traverse from Chora to Aegiali along the ridges, and the perched villages of Tholaria and Langada compose walks of raw and luminous beauty.
All our favourite trails in Amorgos
Peloponnese: the cradle of Antiquity on foot
The Peloponnese offers a rare blend of ancient sites, mountain villages, and unspoilt coastline. Its trails cross gorges, follow cliffs, and lead to mythological sites forgotten by mass tourism.
The Mani
This wild peninsula, in the south of the Peloponnese, is one of Greece's best-kept secrets. The trails link villages of medieval towers, descend to isolated coves, and cross centuries-old olive groves. The light of the Mani has a particular quality, golden and intense, giving the landscapes a painterly depth.
The Vouraikos Gorge
A spectacular trail following the gorge used by the famous rack railway between Diakofto and Kalavrita. Rocky walls rise on either side, the torrent roars below, and the lush vegetation creates tunnels of green. At the end, the Mega Spilaio Monastery is worth a visit.
Practical tips
When to go. Spring (April to June) offers flowering trails, mild temperatures, and sites free from crowds. Autumn (September to November) brings golden light, a sea still warm for swimming, and the first olive harvests.
Equipment. Good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Most trails have no refreshment points. Slip a swimsuit into your bag: many walks end at a cove.
Gorges. Check opening dates before setting out. Samaria generally closes by mid-October, and some gorges may be impassable after heavy rain.
Discovering Greece on foot with Kelifos
All our walking trips in Greece are designed for the pleasure of discovery. Your luggage awaits you each evening in a charming hotel, our route books guide you to the best addresses, and all you have to do is enjoy the path. Self-guided or with a passionate guide, the choice of pace is yours.
Solène Roux
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