Pelion Peninsula’s green heart
€725
per person
Take an independent hiking journey to Greece – the cradle of Western Civilization, and explore the mountainous rocky land! This self-guided walking trek will show you the hidden treasures of the less known area by foreign tourists – peninsula of Pelion, located on the east coast of mainland Greece, app. 200km from Thessaloniki and 350km from Athens. According to Greek mythology, these lands were inhabited by Centaurs – a creature depicted as half-human and half-horse. One of the popular figures – the Centaur Cheiron who raised the God of the Medicine Asklepios, also introduced him in the great knowledge of the medical herbs and plants that grew and still grow on Mt. Pelion. Discover this authentic region of Greece by fantastic walks and hikes! The hiking trails cross densely forested areas of plane trees and ferns. The highest parts of the ridges are covered with the intensive green color of the beech forests. The olive groves will be just an accent in the whole picture! Many stops along the way will take you to the idyllic mountain villages where you can enjoy a cup of Greek coffee. A long time ago these settlements were connected via cobbled paths called kalderimia – many of your treks will match these and you feel the authentic experience of traveling from the past centuries. From the spacious village squares, you will have a great panorama towards the sparkling blue waters of Aegean sea.
Level 1/2
-
Destination
-
Duration8 Days I Level: 1/2 (of 5)
-
What is included7 nights accommodation (2-3* hotels, en-suite rooms) on B&B basis (2 in Portaria, 2 in Agios Ioannis, 1 in Tsangarada and 2 in Milies); Luggage and people transfers on Day 3 (Portaria to Chania/Kissos and luggage on to Agios Ioannis), Day 5 (Agions Ioannis to Tsangarada) and Day 6 (Tsangarada to Milies); Detailed road book and maps in English (incl. GPS tracks); Emergency phone assistance;
-
What is not includedAirport arrival and airport departure transfers; Travel insurance; Admissions and entrance fees of any kind; Drinks and other meals; City tax (payable locally in the hotels; 1,5-3 Euro per person/night)
-
Best periodApril, May, June, July, August, September, October
FROM OUR GALLERY
Self-guided inn to inn hiking tour on Pelion Peninsula, Greece
1
Day 1 : Arrival at Portaria
Portaria is located on the slopes of Mount Pelion, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the Aegean Sea. The village's traditional architecture is one of its main attractions. *Easiest arrival via Volos, Thessaloniki and Athens airports. From Thessaloniki there are several buses daily to Volos (2,30hrs). Same from Athens (4-4,15hrs). Trains from either town to Volos are available too. Then from Volos to Portaria there are frequent bus services every day (less frequent during weekends/bank holidays). Taxis are also an option to get to Portaria from Volos (35-40 EUR). We offer private transfers from Volos too (check details with us).
2
Day 2: Round walk from Portaria (13km, 4,30hrs, +550m/-550m)
You start your first walking day with a circular hike around Portaria. It will take you to a village called Makrinitsa - famous with its characteristic traditional mansions and houses that look like embroidered on the green hills. On your trail, you will be accompanied not only by beautiful views but also by the fragrance of thyme and oregano. Your path will take you to a small rustic church. The trail alternates gentle ups and downs and from the top, you can admire an idyllic panorama with a look towards the Pagasitic Gulf and the town of Volos. Before ending back in Portaria you will pass a small green gorge.
3
Day 3: Agios Ioannis roundwalk (7km, 3hr, +430m/-430m)
From Portaria, you will be taken by taxi to Agios Ioannis on the coast. You start your roundwalk via the villages Mouresi and Damouchari. A roundwalk which ascends from the sea and the beach of Agios Ioannis along a cobblestone path, between houses and estates with olive trees, intersecting with some stretches in tarmac road. You reach the central square of the Mouresi village with a series of little streets and very well maintained cobblestone paths. From here you descend to the beautiful hamlet Damouchari at the coast through a southern route, following again paths and good cobbled paths. Make a break in Damouchari and enjoy a drink or coffee in one of the 2 cafés/restaurants before you walk northwest to the nearby Papa Nero beach, with final destination Agios Ioannis. You will enjoy amazing views over the mountain and the sea..
*Between 10/04 and 30/05 and after 27/09, there are very limited options for accommodation in Agios Ioannis. It may be needed to stay in studio or apartment without breakfast.
4
Day 4: Agios Ioannis roundwalk (9-12km, 3-4hrs, +300-400m/-300-400m)
Today you can opt for a relaxing day on the beach or you make a nice circular walk. You walk along the beautiful Plaka beach and ascend then via a cobbled path. You can make an optional loop to the Faneromeni chapel (which means you descend again down to the sea and to ascend the same way back, extra 2,7 km, +100m/-100m). You walk then partly on a tarmac road until you follow an old paved path up through dense forest. You descend then back via a little tarmac road in a beautiful surrounding back to the coastal village of Agios Ioannis.
5
Day 5: Walk from Agios Ioannis via Damouchari and Fakistra beach to Tsagarada (8-13km, 4-5,30hrs, +700-1000m/-300-600m)
The morning will start fresh and light along the beach of Agios Ioannis. A very pleasant cobbled stone path will take you to the hamlet Damouchari – another tiny settlement with its own charm greets you with the calm and turquoise waters of the sea. Back in the centuries, the village was from great importance, as it was the only natural harbor on the entire cost between Volos and Katerini. Today it attracts people who prefer to stay away from the crowds. Even it is located off the beaten track there are place where you can shop or stop for a rest. From Damouchari you can take an optional walk along the coast to Fakistra beach – a fabulous place isolated by two rocky capes. There is a possibility to visit the ‘Hidden School’ in a cave. It is actually three sites located in one place – monk’s cave, church and a magnificent cave with impressive stalactites. You continue your walk uphill on a path now and then crossing the tarmac road to Tsagarada, a wide stretched village with numerous churches and squares. From the terrace of your hotel you can see the village square with a 1000 year old plane tree with an incredible size.
6
Day 6: Walk Tsangarada-Milies (12km, 4,30hrs, +350m/-400m)
Today you leave the beach behind and get back to the forest. You cross a mountain range at 700m elevation towards the south. The walk will start from the village of Tsangarada where you can explore the old churches. Then you leave the village and ascend through a forest and cross the ridge. The trail matches old mule tracks, mainly built for merchandise. Along the trek, you will admire the thick shades of the chestnut and beech trees underneath where you can make short stops to admire the calmness that surrounds you. You descend to the picturesque mountain village Milies whilst enjoying great views over the sparkling waters of the Pagasitic Gulf. Around Milies there are many old olive groves – a typical Greek scenery.
7
Day 7: Walk Milies-Kala Nera-Milies (12km, 4hrs, +475m/-475m)
You descend via old cobbled paths from Milies towards the coast whilst enjoying great views. Last section before reaching the coastal village of Kala
Nera is via dirt roads through olive groves. In Kala Nera you may have lunch in a nice tavern directly at the sea. Then you ascend via cobbled paths via a hamlet until the narr ow gauge railway tracks, that you follow until Milies. The tracks are 200-300m above sea level. It is great to follow the tracks that ascend gradually. Wherever mule tracks cross the tracks, stone road bridges have been built: interesting civil engineering features from the past. You will also walk past the cave where, according mythology, the centaur Cheiron taught Asklepios about medical plants and herbs. During the summer months the steam train operates once per day only on Saturday and Sunday.
8
Day 8: Departure from Milies
No buses from Milies to Volos during weekends/bank holidays (taxis would charge 60-70 EUR). We offer private transfers to Volos too (check details with us).
TOUR LOCATION
Price
725 Euro per person in twin/dbl room (10/04-18/06; 24/06-25/07; 06-27/09)
780 Euro per person in twin/dbl room (19-23/06; 26/07-05/09)
* Triple rooms for odd number of travelers available upon request (contact us for details).
Single room & Solo Traveler supplement
Single room supplement: 260 Euro
Solo Traveler supplement (incl. sgl. room supplement): 440 Euro
Tips
Daily departures between the beginning of April and the end of October. The walks are mostly via unsurfaced dirt roads, cobbled footpaths (kalderimia) and rocky footpaths. Sometimes short stretches on tarmac. Best arrival airports: Volos, Thessaloniki, Athens. From Volos airport it is easy to travel on public transport via Volos to Portaria and back from Milies to Volos city and from there with the airport bus to Volos airport. From Thessaloniki Airport there are frequent public buses to Thessaloniki bus- and train station. There are 8 buses daily from Thessaloniki to Volos. Check-out detailed information on http://ktelvolou.gr. There are also around 10 trains per day between Thessaloniki and Volos (travel time around 2,30-3hrs). From Athens Airport there are frequent public buses to Athens bus station. From Athens airport it is possible to travel to the train station of Athens center and get on the train to Larissa from here. There are around 10 buses daily from Athens Liossion bus station to Volos. Check-out detailed information on http://ktelvolou.gr. There are also around 5 trains daily from Athens to Volos (travel time around 5hrs).
Private transfers (per car, 1-4pax) Volos - Portaria and Milies - Volos - check details with us.
Accommodation
7 nights accommodation (2/3* hotels, en-suite rooms) on B&B basis; Samples of the inns we would normally book (subject to availability), or similar category: Days 1/2: Portaria - Xenia Portaria Hotel; Days 3/4: Agios Ioannis - Eleana Hotel; Day 5: Tsangarada - The Lost Unicorn Hotel; Days 6/7: Milies - Dryalos Hotel;
Send an enquiry about this tour
The reservation confirmation you will get right after placing an order only confirms that your booking is received and an agent has started working on it. It doesn't mean your tour is guaranteed! Wait to hear from us with final confirmation before booking flights or making any other arrangements, related to your holiday. The dates as listed below do not correspond with real-time availability!
SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL DATES (IF YOUR DATE IS NOT OPEN FOR BOOKING, PLEASE CONTACT US!)
SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL DATES (IF YOUR DATE IS NOT OPEN FOR BOOKING, PLEASE CONTACT US!)