Greece

Description

Mikonos - by Henk

Greece is a famous beach destination, and many island hoppers like to go for a walk now and again. Most islands are quite suitable for hiking, and locally guides and maps are available giving good descriptions of trails. But the crowded summer season is hot and dry. April is a much better month for hiking, with all flowers in full bloom, and also May, although it will start to get busier. June is more quiet but very hot. The busy season then lasts until winter. Although common in the past, your chances of actually following in the footsteps of mules carrying their loads in the traditional manner are dim.

But there is more. If you've had enough of the island's oregano, you can head for the mainland Pindos Mountains in the province of Epirus, on the border with Albania. European long distance trail E6, running from west to east, leads right across the Pindos. In the wide expanse of forests and pastures you may cross tracks with a bear (see the picture of a bear track which caused the author to freeze with fear), or if not, then at least with one or two herdsmen smelling of the inevitable ewe's cheese. Smolikos is the highest peak, reaching up to 2637m. Walking season in the mountains is from May, when the mountain tops are still covered in snow, until mid October. Greek mountain ranges have been made increasingly accessible over the years thanks to over 100 mountain huts.

Make an effort, and find out Greece has almost twenty national trails, maintained by regional mountaineering clubs. European long distance trail E4 enters Northern Greece from Bulgaria, and runs south via Mount Olympus (2918m), highest mountain of Greece and pleasant abode of Zeus. If you plan to spend the night there yourself in July or August, make sure to reserve in advance. The trail then leads across the Peleponessos, leaving it in the south, and continues on the island of Crete. Crete of course is famous for its Samaria gorge, the longest in Europe. It is impossible to lose your way here, simply join the crowd.

The Internet is not yet a very good source of information on Greek hiking, but maps and guides are easy to find. More information can be obtained through the Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing.

Trails

Regions

Books

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • A Thing of Beauty: Travels in Mythical and Modern Greece
  • ”Essential reading” Helen MoralesWhat do the Greek myths mean to us today?It`s now a golden age for these tales - they crop up in novels, films and popular culture. But what`s the modern relevance of Theseus, Hera and Pandora? Were these stories ever meant for children? And what`s to be seen now at the places where heroes fought and gods once... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2014
  • Southern Peloponnese Car Tours and Walks
  • Southern Peloponnese in the Landscape series by Sunflower Books details car tours and walks in one of the most varied landscaped regions, from its highest mountain range Mt Taygetus, its largest forest Mt Parnon, its wildest seascapes, Capes Tainaron and Maleas, and some of its loveliest beaches Pylos, Kiparissi and Elafonisos to its finest... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2006
  • Greece Mountain Walks
  • The Mountains of Greece is Tim Salmon’s Cicerone guide to walking in some of Europe’s most demanding peaks, with contributions from Michael Cullen. The guide describes a traverse of the Pindhos range and walks in regions including Athens and the east coast, the Peleponnese and the Mani. Most of Greece’s mountains are undeveloped and remote, yet... Read more
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2023
  • Wild Guide Greece
  • Hidden Places, Great Adventures and the Good Life (including the mainland, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes and over 20 other islands) Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2023
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2018
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
  • Wandelgids Trekking in Greece - Griekenland | Cicerone
  • Guidebook describing challenging treks in the mountains of Greece, traversing the Pindhos Range, near Athens, and the Peloponnese, plus a handful of shorter routes including Mount Olympus. The treks demand a high level of commitment and fitness due to their remoteness and difficult terrain, and boast stunning unspoilt scenery. Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2019
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2019
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2019
  • Wandelgids Walking and Trekking in the Zagori | Cicerone
  • Guidebook to 30 walks and 3 treks centred on Zagori and Konitsa in mainland Greece. From easy strolls to demanding hikes along remote mountainous traverses, including the rugged peaks of Mt Timfi and Mt Smolikas in the Pindos range, Drakolimni Lake, and the dramatic Vikos Gorge. With background information on architecture, history and wildlife. Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
  • Reisgids Marco Polo NL Athene | 62Damrak
  • Marco Polo reisgids voor Athene! Handig pocket formaat, boordevol informatie, met uitneembare kaart van de stad en 12 bladzijden met extra plattegronden. Met 'insider tips' om het échte Athene te ontdekken, bijvoorbeeld de oude wijk Pláka en de havens van de stad. De TOP 15 van bezienswaardigheden zie je in één oogopslag, up-to-date informatie... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Wild Apples
  • Wild Apples begins with a short history of the apple tree, tracing its path from ancient Greece to America. Thoreau saw the apple as a perfect mirror of man and eloquently lamented where they both were heading. Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
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Bol.com
Belgium
  • Wild Apples
  • Wild Apples begins with a short history of the apple tree, tracing its path from ancient Greece to America. Thoreau saw the apple as a perfect mirror of man and eloquently lamented where they both were heading. Read more
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Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Venturing in Southern Greece
  • Made famous by Homer, the stunning hillsides and islands of southern Greece seem to have been forgotten by modern tourists. This exciting anthology invites travelers to expand their itineraries beyond Athens and explore the territory once roamed by Odysseus. Filled with vivid accounts that transport the reader to the Peloponnesus, the... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
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Bol.com
Belgium
  • Venturing in Southern Greece
  • Made famous by Homer, the stunning hillsides and islands of southern Greece seem to have been forgotten by modern tourists. This exciting anthology invites travelers to expand their itineraries beyond Athens and explore the territory once roamed by Odysseus. Filled with vivid accounts that transport the reader to the Peloponnesus, the... Read more
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
More books…

Maps

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Lefkada Anavasi 9.1
  • Lefkada / Lefkas in the Ionian Islands on light, a waterproof and tear-resistant, contoured and GPS compatible map at 1:40.000 from Anavasi, with on the reverse a street plan of the Lefkada Town, recommendations for hiking trails, general notes about the island, etc. Coverage includes the near-by island of Meganisi and part of the adjoining... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Athens Borch
  • Laminated and waterproof tourist map for visitors to Athens from Borch, combining a plan of the central part of the city with a map of its environs showing road and rail connections to the airport and to the port in Piraeus, a road map of Attica and north-eastern Peloponnese, and plans of main archaeological sites. The main plan at 1:7,500... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Northern Agrafa - Plastira Lake Anavasi 4.1
  • Northern Agrafa - Plastira Lake area at 1:50,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible contoured map from Anavasi, including on the reverse English descriptions of nine recommended hiking trails highlighted on the map. Coverage starts west of the peaks of Karavoula (on the northern edge of the map), Karava and Delidimi, and... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Astypalaea / Astypalaia Terrain Editions 330
  • Astypalaea on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant, contoured and GPS compatible map at 1:25,000 from Terrain Editions, with street plan of the Hora of Astypalaea at 1:4,000. The reverse side includes information on the island`s main rock climbing site with details of its 22 climbing routes, giving height, the number of bolts and the grades.... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Pirin (BG) - Orvilos - Vrontou (GR) Geopsis 134
  • Pirin Mountais in south-western Bulgaria, plus Orvilos and Vrondous (Vrontou) Mountains in northern Greece on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant, contoured and GPS compatible amt at 1:50,000 from Greek publishers Geopsis, highlighting waymarked hiking trails, places of interest, etc.On one side are the Pirin Mountain in Bulgaria with... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2012
  • Valia Kalda - Vasilitsa Anavasi 6.4
  • Pindos: Valia Kalda - Vasilitsa area at 1:50,000in a series of waterproof and tear-resistant hiking maps from Anavasi with a UTM grid for GPS users. The map covers part of the northern Pindus highlands, extending northwards from Metsovo to well beyond Smixi, ski centre on the northern slpes of Mt. Vasilitsa. With Samarina on its western margin... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Chios - Psara - Inouses Anavasi 10.31
  • Chios with Oinousses on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant, contoured and GPS compatible map at 1:60,000 published by Anavasi, with the nearby island of Psara shown on the reverse at 1:40,000. Plus street maps of the town on Chios and of the historic Kampos area near the island’s airport.Landscape is vividly presented by contours at 20m... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • G27 Nisos Lesvos & the Coast of Turkey
  • Imray’s series of charts of Greece and Turkey are comprehensive and easy-to-use sailing charts published on rip-proof, waterproof paper- ideal for use on small tables or in cockpits. They show detailed coastline and depth information, and are constantly corrected to reflect latest information. Designed primarily for yachtsmen, they are... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2010
  • Hydra Terrain Editions 359
  • Greek island of Hydra on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant, contoured and GPS compatible map at 1:20,000 from Terrain Editions, with a large street plan showing Hydra Town at 1:3,000. Notes on the reverse include descriptions of four recommended hiking trails. All place names are shown in both Greek and Latin alphabet. Map legend and all... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Samothrace Terrain Editions 324 SUPERCEDED
  • Samothrace at 1:25,000 on a contoured, GPS compatible hiking map published by Terrain Cartography group and printed on light, waterproof and tear-resistant Polyart plastic paper, with extensive tourist information.Topography is very well presented by contours, enhanced by spot heights, subtle relief shading and additional altitude colouring.... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Lefkada Terrain Editions 351
  • Lefkada (Lefkas) and the nearby Meghanisi at 1:40,000 on a contoured, GPS compatible hiking map published by Terrain Cartography group together with Skai Maps, and printed on light, waterproof and tear-resistant Polyart plastic paper, with extensive tourist information.Topography is very well presented by contours, enhanced by spot heights,... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Prespa - Vitsi - Voras Anavasi 6.2
  • Prespa - Vitsi – Voras area of northern Greece at 1:50,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible, contoured map from Anavasi, with recommendations for three hiking trails and notes on the E4 and E6 cross-European trails. The map is double-sided; coverage in the west starts from the Prespa Lake on the border with Albania and... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Prespa - Vitsi - Voras
  • Uitstekende topografische kaarten van een deel van Griekenland: zonder meer hele goede kaarten voor wandeltochten in een onbekend stuk Griekenland! Ze zijn gedrukt op scheurvast en watervast papier op een schaal van 1:50.000 met een UTM grid voor GPS gebruikers. Op de meeste kaarten is geven de hoogtelijnen een interval van 20m. aan. Met... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
  • Wandelkaart 6.2 Prespa - Vitsi - Voras | Anavasi
  • Uitstekende topografische kaarten van een deel van Griekenland: zonder meer hele goede kaarten voor wandeltochten in een onbekend stuk Griekenland! Ze zijn gedrukt op scheurvast en watervast papier op een schaal van 1:50.000 met een UTM grid voor GPS gebruikers. Op de meeste kaarten is geven de hoogtelijnen een interval van 20m. aan. Met... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Mykonos - Delos - Rheneia / Rineia Anavasi 10.42
  • Mykonos with the nearby islands of Delos and Rineia / Rheneia on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible map at 1:25,000 from Anavasi. The reverse side shows a large, very detailed plan of the archaeological remains on Delos of the temples of Apollo, Artemis and Leto.Topography of the islands is shown by contours with hill... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Delos - Mykonos - Rheneia
  • Mykonos with the nearby islands of Delos and Rineia / Rheneia on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible map at 1:25,000 from Anavasi. The reverse side shows a large, very detailed plan of the archaeological remains on Delos of the temples of Apollo, Artemis and Leto.Topography of the islands is shown by contours with hill... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
  • Wandelkaart 10.42 Delos - Mykonos (Mikonos) - Rheneia (Reneia) | Anavasi
  • Mykonos with the nearby islands of Delos and Rineia / Rheneia on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible map at 1:25,000 from Anavasi. The reverse side shows a large, very detailed plan of the archaeological remains on Delos of the temples of Apollo, Artemis and Leto.Topography of the islands is shown by contours with hill... Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Spetses
  • De kaarten van Anavasi zijn zeer gedetailleerd, beschikken over een helder kaartbeeld en zijn uitstekende kaarten voor diverse activiteiten. Ze beschikken over vele interessante punten voor wandelaars, fietsers of andere toeristen die het gebied bezichtigen. De wandelkaarten bevatten ook een uitzonderlijke reliefaanwijzing, verschillende vormen... Read more
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