Visit the Pelion Peninsula, and you’ll be able to enjoy some of the very best walking in Greece. Learn more about the regional highlights.
The Greek Islands and the classical sights of Greece are massively popular holiday choices, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over Europe every year. But if you d like a taste of the authentic Greek life away from the tourist crowds, head to the Pelion Peninsula. Located north east of Athens, this is one of the most unspoilt parts of the country, and offers some of the very best opportunities for walking in Greece. It has long been popular with Greeks as a holiday destination, but relatively few foreign visitors have discovered the delights of the Peninsula, making it the perfect place to go if you want to see something a little different.
It is a mountainous region, crisscrossed with ancient cobbled mule paths. The principal mountain, Mount Pelion, is an important site in Greek Mythology, with legend having it as being the site of many disputes between the gods and a common visiting point for the Greek heroes. The mountains of the Pelion Peninsula have numerous excellent walking paths running through them (most of them following the old mule tracks) that are suitable for all ability levels, and you could spend weeks walking here and still not have explored a fraction of the trekking that is to be found here.
One of the main attractions of walking in the Peninsula are the numerous villages that are dotted throughout the mountains. These small, picturesque mountain villages maintain their traditional ways of life, untouched by the effects of mass tourism, and many of them offer breathtaking views out across the mountains and the sea – and some great traditional tavernas to enjoy a hearty Greek feast! If you want to experience the local culture whilst walking in Greece, it is worth aiming to time your visit with one of the local village festivals, as these are usually spectacular events with lots of colour, vibrancy and atmosphere.
There is however more to the Pelion Peninsula than the mountains and villages. The coast is never far away on this narrow peninsula, and it is home to numerous excellent resorts and outstanding white sand beaches. Most people choose to stay on the coast during their visits to here, allowing them to unwind with a gentle swim after a day spent enjoying some of the best walking in Greece.
Whilst there is plenty to keep you occupied in the area, owing to its central location, there are also plenty of opportunities for onward travel from the Pelion Peninsula. The major Greek cities of Athens and Thessaloniki are not far away, and there is also the chance to explore the nearby Sporades Islands. These include the stunning island of Skopelos, now famous as the filming location for the smash hit Mamma Mia!
It is this combination of mountain and sea, the peaceful seclusion of the inland villages and the vibrant excitement of the coastline, that make the Pelion Peninsula a truly unforgettable place to go walking in Greece. For a destination that combines natural scenery, superb walking and unspoilt local character, it really takes some beating!
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