Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in Greek Islands
Most people go to the Greek islands for the beaches, but how about trekking there instead? Head to the beautiful interior landscapes, with Crete’s Samaria Gorge, Naxos’ mountain villages, Andros’ trails, and Santorini’s caldera rim. Seven to ten days hiking focus throughout. The vies constantly change, but they’re always beautiful, and, of course, you can head to the beach to relax after a long day of trekking!
10 best hiking & trekking Greek Islands tours
Compiled by
MelissaGreek Islands travel expert at TourRadar
- Secret Cyclades: Hiking Holidays on Kythnos island
- Walking the Mountains & Villages of Evia
- Walking on the Greek Islands
- Sifnos, Milos and Kimolos : Cyclades dream - Guided hike
- Hiking Crete: Gorges & Coastal Walks
- Hiking in Greece: Self-Guided Trip in the Cyclades
- Geluxe: Greece: Walking in the Greek Islands
- Hiking on the unique island of Kythira (8 days)
- Corfu Trail Walking - North and South
- Cretan Odyssey - Guided Hike
Secret Cyclades: Hiking Holidays on Kythnos island
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Each meal (provided and purchased) was a feast of fresh, healthy food all prepared with such devotion.”
Gretchen, traveled in April
Ancient trails link Vryokastro ruins and Castle of Oria, with daily hikes ranging 6-13km. Paths lead to Kolona beach's unique sandbar and through pine forests to Kanala monastery. Four nights in traditional guesthouses, averaging 4-5 hours hiking daily.
Duration 5 days Destinations Athens, Kythnos Age Range Ages 8+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 110 mi Operator Trails Beyond From
- NZ$1,289
Walking the Mountains & Villages of Evia
106 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip offered a blend of hiking, cultural, historical and gastronomical experiences and therefore exceeded my expectations.”
Ani, traveled in March
Ancient stone paths link mountain villages, following routes like the Demosaris Gorge descent and Mount Ohi climb. Stunning sites include Castello Rosso fortress and Roman marble quarries. Moderate 5-6 hour daily walks with swimming breaks.
Duration 8 days Destinations Athens, Rafina, Marmari, Karystos Age Range Ages 16+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 77 mi Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- NZ$3,099
Walking on the Greek Islands
23 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Walks were interesting and not too demanding. Restaurants for evening meals were well chosen by guide.”
Graham, traveled in September
The spectacular 6-mile Cliff Trail in Santorini rises 1,310ft above the volcanic caldera. Naxos's lush Tragea Valley unfolds through ancient olive groves and citrus orchards. A 1,000-year-old Byzantine path from Lefkes village in Paros passes through medieval settlements and Cycladic villages.
Duration 8 days Destinations Athens, Rafina, Santorini, Oia, Naxos, Paros Age Range Ages 16+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 355 mi Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $4,073
11% Off- NZ$3,620You save $453
Trails connect hiking paradises: Sifnos's paths to Profitis Ilias Monastery (682m), Milos's volcanic Sarakiniko coastline, and Kimolos's Skiadi Rock formation. Daily routes range 6-12km with elevations up to 470m.
Duration 10 days Destinations Athens, Piraeus, Sifnos, Milos, Kimolos Age Range Ages 15+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 221 mi Operator Grand Angle From
11% Off- NZ$7,120
Hiking Crete: Gorges & Coastal Walks
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Overall experience was wonderful. Would highly recommend.”
Debora, traveled in September
The narrow Agia Irini Gorge winds through ancient trees and mountain flora. The 16km Samaria Gorge trail, Europe's longest, leads to coastal paths from Agia Roumeli to Loutro village, with stops at secluded Mediterranean beaches.
Duration 7 days Destinations Chania, Loutro Age Range Ages 12+ Distance 43 mi Operator G Adventures From
11% Off- NZ$2,219
The white canyon of Sarakiniko in Milos leads to ancient paths reaching Sifnos's Chryssopigi monastery. Perseus's hill rises to Serifos's Chora village (+250m elevation), with stunning monopati between Kastro and Faros. Routes range from 5-14km daily, with moderate +300m ascents through Mediterranean vegetation.
Duration 10 days Destinations Athens, Piraeus, Serifos, Sifnos, Milos, Kimolos Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, French Physical Rating Easy Distance 221 mi Operator Grand Angle From
11% Off- NZ$3,064
Ancient paths wind through Tinos Castle, Byzantine routes traverse Naxos's historic Tragea Valley, while the dramatic Fira to Oia trail hugs Santorini's caldera rim. Moderate difficulty paths reveal hidden churches and ancient settlements.
Duration 8 days Destinations Athens, Rafina, Tinos, Naxos, Paros, Oia, Santorini Age Range Ages 18+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 183 mi Operator G Adventures From
11% Off- NZ$7,059
Duration 8 days Destinations Kythira, Chios, Mykonos, Chora, Amorgos, Paleochora, Agios Nikolaos Age Range Ages 16+ Physical Rating Easy Distance 634 mi Operator ASI Reisen From
11% Off- NZ$1,517
Corfu Trail Walking - North and South
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We mostly ate at family tavernas and large places where enormous groups of tourists ate. Spiros's knowledge enhanced the experience enormously.”
Kathryn, traveled in September
This 200km route across Corfu reaches Mount Pantokrator (917m) and follows ancient paths like the Donkey Trail to Agios Georgios. Paths wind through olive groves from Kavos to Agios Spyridon, staying at historic coastal properties like the White House in Kalami.
Duration 15 days Destinations Corfu, Kavos, Lefkimmi, Benitses, Pelekas, Agii Deka, Liapades, Lakones, Agios Georgios, PrinilasSee all destinations Age Range Ages 16+ Distance 154 mi Operator Explore! From
11% Off- NZ$4,690
The Greek Islands' most impressive landscapes include the 16km Samaria Gorge and coastal paths to marble beaches. Oleander-filled Aradena Gorge and palm groves of Preveli await. Daily guided walks average 3-4 hours with moderate 200-450m elevation gains.
Duration 8 days Destinations Heraklion, Argyroupoli, Plakias, Rethymnon, Loutro, Agia Roumeli, Samaria Gorge, Knossos Age Range Ages 15+ Physical Rating Easy Distance 242 mi Operator Grand Angle From
11% Off- NZ$4,403
What people love about Hiking & Trekking Tours in Greek Islands
- Walking on the Greek Islands
Fabulous trip --- walks, accommodations, guide, food, views, fellow travellers were all top notch. Thanos, our guide was just amazing. His knowledge of the islands, as well as the history of ancient and modern Greece, was incredible. The day to day pace of the tour was spot on -- a good balance of structured and unstructured time to explore each destination.
We were met at the airport by our Guide Danae, a cheerful woman of great energy. She led our intrepid group with the help of George, her Kythnos Island guide. Our accommodations both in Athens and in Kythnos were lovely. Each day was a new adventure - a new hike - an opportunity to drink in the lovely scenery, the fresh air, and the lovely goats. And the cooking and pottery lessons were so much fun! Each meal (provided and purchased) was a feast of fresh, healthy food all prepared with such devotion - honestly I had no idea Greek food was SO good. Our weather for early spring and a little chilly - but clear skies - so although we wore all of our clothes we were happy. I'd easily recommend Trails Beyond. I hear they do tours off the coast as well in the Mountains! Greece may see me again!
Secret Cyclades: Hiking Holidays on Kythnos island
What our customers ask about Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in Greek Islands
What is the best time of year for hiking in the Greek Islands?
The Greek Islands welcome hikers from April through October with spring and fall proving most comfortable for outdoor activities. During April and May Crete's temperatures hover around 20-25°C making it perfect for exploring the White Mountains and Samaria Gorge. The Cycladic islands of Andros and Tinos show off carpets of wildflowers in spring while autumn brings reliably clear weather. A TourRadar traveler noted "We really lucked out going in May because the whole island was covered in a sea of wild flowers. The temperature was good a little windy but comfortable."
Where do I sleep on multi-day hikes in the Greek Islands?
Greek Island hiking tours offer a mix of lodging options from modern hotels to family-run guesthouses. Crete features properties like the Orpheas Resort in Georgioupolis and traditional accommodations in Loutro village. Travelers on Andros can stay at the sea-view Vassiliki Studios while Tinos offers spots like the Aeolos Bay Hotel near Agios Fokas Beach. According to one TourRadar traveler "Our room was lovely and overlooked the harbour. Every morning we enjoyed breakfast on the terrace so relaxing!"
What are the best hiking trails in the Greek Islands for various skill levels?
From coastal walks to mountain paths the Greek Islands serve up trails for every ability. Crete's Samaria Gorge stretches 16km through Europe's longest gorge while Kythnos offers easier routes like the seaside path connecting Loutra to Chora. Andros boasts European Hiking Trail certification with paths ranging from the beginner-friendly 12km Hora to Gialia Beach route to advanced tracks in Tinos' rocky terrain. One TourRadar traveler shared "The hiking is just fantastic! The views were breathtaking and many are not in easy to find places. The walking itself was pretty easy as long as you're used to hills and uneven terrain."
How physically demanding are hiking tours in the Greek Islands?
The physical challenge depends on your chosen island and route. Crete's Farangi Imbros Gorge takes about 3 hours with 625m elevation gain while Corfu offers gentler coastal walks of 8-10km per day. Andros presents more challenging options with some paths extending 12km over 4-4.5 hours. A TourRadar traveler commented "George was considerate thoughtful and patient. The hikes were a great mix of history culture and wildlife."
What kind of weather conditions should I expect while hiking?
Weather patterns shift across seasons and locations. Spring hikers find temperatures between 18-25°C with some rain especially suitable for Crete's gorges. Summer brings heat to Crete and Corfu with temperatures up to 35°C. The Cyclades experience regular winds that can help cool hikers on Andros and Tinos. One TourRadar traveler reported "Our weather for early spring was a little chilly but with clear skies so although we wore all of our clothes we were happy."
What safety measures are in place during guided hikes?
Greek Island hiking tours maintain strict safety protocols. Guides hold certifications in first aid and CPR. On demanding trails like Crete's Samaria Gorge guides carry emergency gear and stay connected with local emergency services. Cyclades tours provide backup vehicles and daily transfer support. A TourRadar traveler confirmed "George was an expert guide who knew every person on the island making us feel completely safe and supported throughout the journey."