12 of the best unknown hiking trails in Greece

This captivating circular route (Kythera trails, route M41) on the island of Kythira reveals a hidden world of waterfalls, plunge pools, huge plane trees, maple trees, stone bridges, water mills, little churches and a Venetian castle that seems untouched by time. The hike starts from the traditional village of Mylopotamos, descending to a series of waterfalls and 23 watermills. It ends at the spectacular Castle of Kato Hora, where the winged lion of Saint Mark still stands proudly at the gate.

A memorable circular route that takes you through picturesque villages and along the green slopes of Tinos. The trail (Tinos Trails' Route E1) is straightforward, setting out from Giannaki Bay in the direction of Kardiani, overlooking the Aegean. It continues towards Old Kardiani, accompanied by views of the island’s rocky landscape and the scent of wild herbs. Arriving at vibrant Ysternia, a stop for a coffee or refreshment is a must. From here, there is a flat, marble-paved path that ends at Ysternia Bay that is worth taking. And from Ysternia Bay, there is an old footpath that crosses impressive terraces and passes Panagia tis Lakotianis church, taking you past dovecotes and the threshing floors of Stasi, before returning to Giannaki Bay.

If you want to discover the untouched Cycladic landscape, the circular hiking path around Sifnos (Sifnos Trails Route No.6) is ideal. The route has cultural and natural highlights, including settlements, rural landscapes, little churches, cedar forests and mountain passes that overlook other Cyclades islands in the Aegean. The changing scenery is particularly striking, alternating from cultivated countryside to wild and rugged green hillsides. The path leads you up to the church of Panagia Toso Nero, at the most remote part of the island. It is said that the church was built to tame the area. You can rest in the hospitality of one of the monastic cells, as the path from here is uphill and challenging … although if you do continue, you’ll be rewarded with outstanding views. It’s a footpath that allows you to unlock virtually all the secrets of this beautiful island, which is rightly referred to as containing some of the best hiking trails in Greece!

On one of the most remote and authentic islands in Greece, Route 6 of the Kasos Trails network takes you through virtually inaccessible but wildly impressive parts of Kasos. It is a unique trail, passing old cultivation sites and shepherd’s huts (mitata), and an incredible range of views: a gorge reminiscent of the Grand Canyon (in the dimensions of Kasos, of course), the isolated beach of Tripiti (with its characteristic natural arch), cliffs, caves and ravines, and of course endless views the deep blue of the Aegean sea. Approaching the end of the path, a little before the settlement of Agia Marina, you reach the impressive Ellinokamara Cave, which was inhabited in ancient times. Kasos isn’t an easy island to get to, but the experience when you’re there (musical traditions, food and welcoming locals) is so intense that you won’t want to leave.

Amongst the network of hiking paths of the Apokoronas villages (Apokoronas Trails) in Crete’s Chania region, Route No.3 stands out. It’s a circular route, starting at around 700m altitude near the village of Melidoni (which you can reach by car) and connecting three churches (Agio Pnevma Fre, Agio Pnevma Pemonion, Profitis Ilias Melidoniou) and natural water sources (Platanaki, Choses) on a route made up exclusively of little used old donkey trails or footpaths. The views alternate along the hike and take you past impressive mitata (or koumi), the traditional stone shepherd’s shelters that are a feature of Chania’s White Mountains). In this way, it’s a hiking path that allows you to experience both the natural and cultural landscape of Crete’s biggest mountain range without big height differences during the hike.

One of the Ithaca Trails (Path 14), the ‘Archaeological walk of northern Ithaca’ is a circular route that sets out from either Stavros or Exogi and includes two alternative stretches, 14A (connecting Exogi with Stavros via Pernarakia) and 14Β (linking Exogi with Rousano), returning on the same path. Path 14 is considered one of the island’s iconic trails, passing through the North Ithaca Basin and ending at the Roussano Plateau. If you hike the full distance, the mountain views and changing landscape are out of this world. You’ll also pass some of the most famous archaeological sites in Ithaca (the island famous as the home destination of Homer’s Odysseus), including the Archaeological Collection of Stavros above the Gulf of Polis, containing the Cave of Loizos, in which a fragment of a 2nd-century BC clay mask marked with ‘Efchin Odyssei’ (With the Blessing of Odysseus) was found. Meanwhile, at Agios Athanasios, beneath the village of Exogi, lies Homer’s School, the most important archaeological site on Ithaca.

A hiking path that sets out from the settlement of Agios Ioannis in Sfakia, at an altitude of 780m in the foothills of Chania’s White Mountains. It follows the rocky landscape from Koutelo tis Seloudas (also known as the Balcony of Sfakia because of its impressive views of the Libyan Sea and the Bay of Agia Roumeli). From here, it joins a section of the Ε4 long-distance European hiking trail, passing through a thick pine forest in the direction of Agios Pavlos (with its distinctive church and wonderful water). The final leg of the hike is along the coast towards Agia Roumeli (the end-point of the Samaria Gorge, another one of the best hikes in Greece).