About the route
The route is not challenging but requires a good basic fitness. Hikes are between 2 and 7 hours per day and you can often choose between shorter or longer routes. The tour does not require any special technical skills and although we generally recommend that you are experienced hikers, this tour is also possible for those who do not have much hiking experience.
Pictures from the trip
Itinerary
Here you can see the programme for the tour.
You'll arrive at the airport in Athens. From here you'll head to your first hotel in Piraeus either by bus, taxi or metro (not included, but it's cheap and easy). Upon arrival at the hotel, you'll receive your welcome pack with maps, directions and tickets for tomorrow's ferry.
Hotel (example): Hotel Piraeus City
Take the ferry from Piraeus to Naxos, the largest island in the Cyclades, and arrive at the harbour of Hora. From here you can walk to your first hotel (takes about 15 minutes and your luggage will be transported) and have your first encounter with the charming city. You can also choose to just be driven from the harbour to your first hotel. Depending on when you arrive, you can go for a swim or walk down to the Temple of Apollo (Portara) and enjoy the sunset.
Hotel (example): Hotel Galini
You will arrive in the village of Kourounochori by bus (approximately 15 minutes). With the ancient marble quarries of Naxos as a backdrop, you will cross the road to the famous Kouros statues (unfinished colossal statues) before arriving at Ano Potamia. After a well-deserved lunch break at a beautiful taverna with an olive tree terrace, you will continue your walk between the mountains, passing Apano Kastro (ancient Venetian fortress). You'll finally arrive at the white village of Halki, located in the heart of the Thragee Valley. Take your time to stroll through the beautiful streets, sip a lemonade or wander through the typical village shops. Return to Chora by taxi or public bus (approximately 25 minutes).
Hotel (example): Hotel Galini
Today you'll climb Mount Zas (1,004moh), the highest mountain in the Cyclades - also known as Mount Zeus, where Zeus supposedly got his Thunder Wedge. You'll start by being driven to the town of Filoti, a white-painted village built like an amphitheatre and the main town in the Trachea region. We recommend you start early as there is no shade along the route. The panoramic views are stunning. From here, you'll hike up into the mountains and follow old mountain paths to the cosy village of Apeiranthos. After the walk, you'll be driven back to Naxos Town and your hotel.
This tour can be shortened if you take the bus to Aghia Marina via Filoti.
Hotel (example): Hotel Galini
This day varies slightly because the ferry times vary. If the ferry leaves in the afternoon, you can explore the town, go for a swim or just relax.
If the ferry doesn't leave for Amorgos until the evening, you can go hiking in the mountains. There are two options:
- You can hike from Apeiranthos via Moni to Halki.
- You can hike from Stavro Church via Keramoti to Skinou
Take the ferry to Amorgos where you will be taken to your next hotel.
Hotel (example): Askas Pension
Today's programme is very flexible and there are several tours to choose from:
- A short trip from Aegiali to Legada and Tholaria. Beautiful villages and ancient paths.
Walking time: approx. 3 hours
Distance:
+400 / -400
- A longer hike from Aegiali via Lagada to Agios Ioanis Thologos Monastery with a detour to Stavros Church in beautiful mountainous terrain.
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Distance:
+800 / -800
Hotel (example): Askas Pension
Today you'll go on one of the most beautiful walks on Amorgos in a quiet and secluded part of the island. You'll start from Chora, where you'll hike to the beautiful Chozoviotissa Monastery. It's incredibly beautiful, all white and carved into the cliff face. From there you follow the paths and cross the island to Aegiali.
Hotel (example): Askas Pension
Between the harbour town of Katapola and the small mountain town of Arkesini, the path winds through forgotten villages and passes several of the highlights of the island, such as the ancient cities of Minoa and Arkesini, the Agia Triada tower. Everywhere you go, you can enjoy the cooling sea breeze while the goats walk around the pastures. The route goes all the way down to the water around Lefkes for a dip in the warm waters.
Note: Depending on the bus schedule, it may be wise to go the opposite direction on this tour, walking from Arkesini to Katapola. This will mean you'll need to take a taxi to Arkesini (not included) and start the tour from the Agia Triada tower. After arriving in Katapola, you can relax in a cafe until you catch the bus back to Aegiali.
Hotel (example): Askas Pension
You will be transferred to the ferry that will take you to Santorini via Naxos. Upon arrival in Santorini, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Today you can choose between two hikes:
- Depending on when you arrive at the hotel, you can take the bus to Akrotiri in the south of the island. This surprising museum displays the ruins of a Minoan city that was destroyed by a volcanic explosion and covered in ash around 1,500 B.C. Almost all of the impressive frescoes from the ruins are now on display in Athens, but it's still an exciting place to visit. From here you can take a short walk to Loumorades via the red beach and the modern village of Akrotiri.
- You can also choose to visit the town of Fira and then take the three-hour walk to Oia. During the walk you can enjoy the beautiful views of the sea and the classic whitewashed towns. You can also see the volcanic rock layers that show the different eruptions throughout history.
Hotel (example): Hotel Star
Today you'll hike Profitis Ilias Mountain from Emporio or Pyrgos to Thera, the ancient capital of Santorini. This hike follows ancient paths that descend to Kamari, where you can take a rest on the black sand of the beach - also known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece.
Hotel (example): Hotel Star
Today there are several options:
- You can take a day trip to the hot springs of the Kammeni Islands and end up in Thirassia or simply relax on one of the islands' beautiful beaches.
- You can choose to hike between Oia and Fira if you didn't already take that route yesterday (see day 10).
Hotel (example): Hotel Star
Your journey is now over and you will be transferred to Santorini Airport or Santorini Harbour (included in the price). If you want more nights at the last hotel, this is also an option. Contact us if you would like a price for this.
Prices and dates
Price includes
- 11 nights in 2- and 3-star hotels
- Breakfast every day
- All mentioned ferry tickets
- Carefully elaborated route descriptions maps and other materials
- Transfer from/to the port of Naxos
- Transfer from/to the port of Amorgos
- Transfer from/to Santorini port or airport
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- Access to the route in our GPS-app which works offline while you walk
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from Greece
- Handling fee (€20)
- Local tourist taxes (if necessary)
Praktisk information
The price is based upon two people sharing. For safety reasons, this tour cannot be booked for solo travellers. There must be min. be two participants.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to Athens and back from Santorini are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 3-5 business days)
- You arrange your transportation
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
On this trip you will stay in carefully selected 2- and 3-star hotels. The hotel in Santorini has a swimming pool.
In the itinerary you can see examples of the hotels we use most often on this trip. If there are no vacancies in the hotels when you book your trip, we will book hotels of equivalent quality.
Breakfast is included every day. It is no problem to find both lunch and dinner in the towns and you will have plenty to choose from.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
This journey has difficulty level 2
Grade 2
Easy hiking on reasonably good trails. The day walks will last 4-6 hours in hilly terrain. Anyone in good physical condition can participate. Your luggage will be transported and you only carry a light daypack. Requires comfortable footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Read more about our grading system here.
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
A hiking holiday in the Cyclades offers varied climates in the spring, summer, and autumn months. In the spring months, April and May, you can expect pleasant temperatures between 18-25 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is moderate and wind conditions are light. In the summer months, June, July, and August, the temperature rises to 27-35 degrees Celsius. We recommend starting the daily stage early in the day, especially on hot days, to avoid the midday heat. Rainfall is rare and wind conditions are moderate. In the autumn months, September and October, you can expect temperatures between 22-30 degrees Celsius. Therefore, we also recommend focusing on the extra hot days. During these months, rainfall slightly increases and wind conditions remain moderate.
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"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"