Trekking in Greece
The Peloponnese and Pindos Way
Cicerone Press
4th Edition
Will be published approx. on 15. June 2027
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-78631-349-2 (ISBN)
Description
Experience Greece's finest trekking adventures on its premier long-distance trails: the 220km Peloponnese Way and the 460km Pindos Way. Traversing the rugged limestone backbone of the country, these demanding but non-technical routes reveal Greece's wildest, greenest mountain landscapes and offer a spectacular escape into remote regions untouched by mass tourism. For those seeking shorter yet equally stunning options, week-long treks in the Zagori district and an ascent of Mount Olympus, the legendary home of the gods, are also included.
Ideal for walkers with a taste for wilderness and cultural discovery, the Peloponnese Way is described in 14 graded stages (7-20km each), crossing the peninsula from the northern village of Dhiakofto to the golden sands of Pantazi beach in the south, via Tripoli. Along the way, you'll traverse alpine meadows, dramatic gorges, and forested slopes, encountering traditional villages and ancient monasteries nestled in the hills.
The Pindos Way, a more secluded four-week journey, spans 30 stages (8-31km), following the mountainous spine of Greece from Amfissa to the summit of Mount Gramos on the Albanian border. This epic trek weaves through lush forests of Greek fir, black pine, and beech, over high passes and deep ravines, and into timeless villages that have changed little over the centuries. Wild camping is required for some sections, adding to the sense of self-reliant adventure.
Trek through celebrated Greek landscapes including the forested slopes of the Peloponnese, the dramatic ravines and peaks of the Pindos range, the iconic Vikos Gorge in Zagori, and the mythic heights of Mount Olympus.
Both the Peloponnese and Pindos Ways are best undertaken from late spring to early autumn, when mountain meadows are bursting with wildflowers and the weather is most settled. Snow lingers on the highest peaks until April, and summer brings cooler air to the heights even as the lowlands swelter.
These hiking routes in Greece are demanding rather than technical, suitable for fit walkers seeking a true immersion in Greece's mountain wilderness. Walks are graded (mostly at Grade 3) to reflect the physical commitment required, given the remoteness and lack of organised facilities.
Accommodation along the treks in Greece ranges from village guesthouses and mountain monasteries to wild camping, especially on the Pindos Way. Each section includes notes on available facilities, potential campsites, water sources, and public transport access for flexible itineraries.
Each stage features a detailed information box with start and finish points, distances, estimated walking times, height gain and loss, and waymarking details. Clear 1:100,000 mapping and practical stage introductions make navigation in Greece straightforward, even in the most remote terrain.
Additional routes in the Zagori region (6 daily stages) and on Mount Olympus (4 daily stages) are included, allowing you to tailor your trek or add extra days of exploration.
Plan your Greek trekking adventure with confidence using the definitive Cicerone guidebook, and immerse yourself in the untamed beauty, history, and culture of Greece's mountain heartlands.
Ideal for walkers with a taste for wilderness and cultural discovery, the Peloponnese Way is described in 14 graded stages (7-20km each), crossing the peninsula from the northern village of Dhiakofto to the golden sands of Pantazi beach in the south, via Tripoli. Along the way, you'll traverse alpine meadows, dramatic gorges, and forested slopes, encountering traditional villages and ancient monasteries nestled in the hills.
The Pindos Way, a more secluded four-week journey, spans 30 stages (8-31km), following the mountainous spine of Greece from Amfissa to the summit of Mount Gramos on the Albanian border. This epic trek weaves through lush forests of Greek fir, black pine, and beech, over high passes and deep ravines, and into timeless villages that have changed little over the centuries. Wild camping is required for some sections, adding to the sense of self-reliant adventure.
Trek through celebrated Greek landscapes including the forested slopes of the Peloponnese, the dramatic ravines and peaks of the Pindos range, the iconic Vikos Gorge in Zagori, and the mythic heights of Mount Olympus.
Both the Peloponnese and Pindos Ways are best undertaken from late spring to early autumn, when mountain meadows are bursting with wildflowers and the weather is most settled. Snow lingers on the highest peaks until April, and summer brings cooler air to the heights even as the lowlands swelter.
These hiking routes in Greece are demanding rather than technical, suitable for fit walkers seeking a true immersion in Greece's mountain wilderness. Walks are graded (mostly at Grade 3) to reflect the physical commitment required, given the remoteness and lack of organised facilities.
Accommodation along the treks in Greece ranges from village guesthouses and mountain monasteries to wild camping, especially on the Pindos Way. Each section includes notes on available facilities, potential campsites, water sources, and public transport access for flexible itineraries.
Each stage features a detailed information box with start and finish points, distances, estimated walking times, height gain and loss, and waymarking details. Clear 1:100,000 mapping and practical stage introductions make navigation in Greece straightforward, even in the most remote terrain.
Additional routes in the Zagori region (6 daily stages) and on Mount Olympus (4 daily stages) are included, allowing you to tailor your trek or add extra days of exploration.
Plan your Greek trekking adventure with confidence using the definitive Cicerone guidebook, and immerse yourself in the untamed beauty, history, and culture of Greece's mountain heartlands.
More details
Edition
4th Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Kendal
United Kingdom
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
Laminated cover
Dimensions
Height: 172 mm
Width: 116 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
320 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78631-349-2 (9781786313492)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Tim Salmon first visited Greece in 1958. He has lived and worked in the country, visited countless times, written and translated books and articles, and made a film about shepherd life for Greek TV. Michael Cullen was born in Greece and spent his childhood there. In 1990 he set up his own trekking business and has spent most of the last 15 years researching and leading hikes throughout the country, as well as compiling walking guidebooks.
Content
Map key
Overview map
Foreword to 2018 edition
Introduction
Traditional mountain life
A little history
Flowers and wildlife
Navigation and maps
Sleeping and eating
Dogs
Getting on with people
Weather and when to go
What to take
Emergency services
Access to the mountains
Using this guide
Part 1 The Peloponnese Way
Section 1 Dhiakofto to Tripoli
Stage 1 Dhiakofto to M&##xe9;ga Spilio monastery
Stage 2 M&##xe9;ga Spilio monastery to Ano Lousi
Stage 3 Ano Lousi to Tourl&##xe1;dha
Stage 4 Near Tourl&##xe1;dha to Dh&##xe1;ra
Stage 5 Nimfasia to Vitina
Stage 6 Vitina to Kardhar&##xe1;s or K&##xe1;psia
Stage 7 Kardhar&##xe1;s or K&##xe1;psia to Tripoli
Section 2 Tripoli to Pantazi beach
Stage 8 Psili Vrisi to Ayios P&##xe9;tros
Stage 9 Malevis convent to Vamvakou
Stage 10 Vamvakou to Paleogoul&##xe1;s
Stage 11 Mistr&##xe1;s to Anavriti
Stage 12 Anavriti to Taigetos mountain refuge
Stage 13 Taigetos mountain refuge to Arna
Stage 14 Arna to Pantazi beach
Part 2 The Pindos Way
Section 1 Amfissa to Karpenisi
Stage 1 Amfissa to Viniani and Rek&##xe1; ravine
Stage 2 Mt Ghiona: Viniani to L&##xe1;ka Karvouni refuge
Stage 3 L&##xe1;ka Karvouni refuge to Siki&##xe1;
Stage 4 Siki&##xe1; to Athan&##xe1;sios Dhi&##xe1;kos/Ano Mousounitsa
Stage 5 Mt Vardhousia: Athan&##xe1;sios Dhi&##xe1;kos/Ano Mousounitsa to Yiourt&##xe1;ki sheepfold
Stage 6 Yiourt&##xe1;ki sheepfold to Mt Oxi&##xe1;/Sar&##xe1;dena refuge
Stage 7 Mt Oxi&##xe1;/Sar&##xe1;dena refuge to Kok&##xe1;lia obelisk/R&##xe1;khes Timfristou
Stage 8 Kok&##xe1;lia obelisk/R&##xe1;khes Timfristou to Karpenisi
Section 2 Karpenisi to Mesokhora
Stage 9 Karpenisi to Kerasokhori
Stage 10 Kerasokhori to Varvari&##xe1;dha
Stage 11 Varvari&##xe1;dha to Epinian&##xe1;
Stage 12 Epinian&##xe1; to Spili&##xe1; monastery
Stage 13 Spili&##xe1; monastery to Petroto
Stage 14 Petroto to Kali Komi
Stage 15 Kali Komi to Moskhofito
Stage 15A Kali Komi to Mirofilo
Stage 16 Moskhofito to Mesokhora
Stage 16A Mirofilo to Mesokhora
Section 3 Mesokhora to M&##xe9;tsovo
Stage 17 Mesokhora to Gardhiki or Athamania
Stage 18 Gardhiki or Athamania to Matsouki
Stage 19 Matsouki to Kalarites
Stage 20 Kalarites to Khaliki
Stage 20A Kalarites to Khaliki ridge route
Stage 21 Khaliki to M&##xe9;tsovo
Section 4 M&##xe9;tsovo to the Albanian border
Stage 22 M&##xe9;tsovo to V&##xe1;lia K&##xe1;lda
Stage 23 V&##xe1;lia K&##xe1;lda to Vovousa
Stage 24 Vovousa to Dhistrato
Stage 24A Link: Vovousa to Skamn&##xe9;li
Stage 25 Dhistrato to Samarina
Stage 25A Dhistrato to Palios&##xe9;li
Stage 26 Samarina to Dhrakolimni
Stage 26A Palios&##xe9;li to Dhrakolimni
Stage 27 Dhrakolimni to Ayia Paraskevi/Ker&##xe1;sovo
Stage 28 Ayia Paraskevi/Ker&##xe1;sovo to Kefalokhori
Stage 29 Kefalokhori to Aetomilitsa/D&##xe9;nsko
Stage 30 Aetomilitsa/D&##xe9;nsko to Mt Gr&##xe1;mos summit
Part 3 Zagori and Mt Gamila
Stage 1 Tsep&##xe9;lovo to Kipi via Kap&##xe9;sovo and Koukouli
Stage 1A Tsep&##xe9;lovo to Kipi via Khadziou bridge
Stage 2 Kipi to Monodh&##xe9;ndhri
Stage 3 Monodh&##xe9;ndhri to P&##xe1;pingo via Vikos gorge
Stage 4 P&##xe1;pingo to Astr&##xe1;ka refuge
Stage 5 Astr&##xe1;ka refuge to Tsep&##xe9;lovo or Kap&##xe9;sovo
Stage 5A Astr&##xe1;ka refuge to Konitsa
Stage 6 Skamn&##xe9;li to Konitsa
Part 4 Mt Olympus
Stage 1 Prionia to Spilios Agapitos/Refuge A
Stage 2 Spilios Agapitos/Refuge A to Mitikas and Yiosos Apostolidhis/Refuge B
Stage 3 Yiosos Apostolidhis/Refuge B to Prionia
Stage 4 Prionia to Litokhoro
Appendix A Route summary tables
Appendix B Glossary
Appendix C Further reading
Appendix D Useful contacts
Overview map
Foreword to 2018 edition
Introduction
Traditional mountain life
A little history
Flowers and wildlife
Navigation and maps
Sleeping and eating
Dogs
Getting on with people
Weather and when to go
What to take
Emergency services
Access to the mountains
Using this guide
Part 1 The Peloponnese Way
Section 1 Dhiakofto to Tripoli
Stage 1 Dhiakofto to M&##xe9;ga Spilio monastery
Stage 2 M&##xe9;ga Spilio monastery to Ano Lousi
Stage 3 Ano Lousi to Tourl&##xe1;dha
Stage 4 Near Tourl&##xe1;dha to Dh&##xe1;ra
Stage 5 Nimfasia to Vitina
Stage 6 Vitina to Kardhar&##xe1;s or K&##xe1;psia
Stage 7 Kardhar&##xe1;s or K&##xe1;psia to Tripoli
Section 2 Tripoli to Pantazi beach
Stage 8 Psili Vrisi to Ayios P&##xe9;tros
Stage 9 Malevis convent to Vamvakou
Stage 10 Vamvakou to Paleogoul&##xe1;s
Stage 11 Mistr&##xe1;s to Anavriti
Stage 12 Anavriti to Taigetos mountain refuge
Stage 13 Taigetos mountain refuge to Arna
Stage 14 Arna to Pantazi beach
Part 2 The Pindos Way
Section 1 Amfissa to Karpenisi
Stage 1 Amfissa to Viniani and Rek&##xe1; ravine
Stage 2 Mt Ghiona: Viniani to L&##xe1;ka Karvouni refuge
Stage 3 L&##xe1;ka Karvouni refuge to Siki&##xe1;
Stage 4 Siki&##xe1; to Athan&##xe1;sios Dhi&##xe1;kos/Ano Mousounitsa
Stage 5 Mt Vardhousia: Athan&##xe1;sios Dhi&##xe1;kos/Ano Mousounitsa to Yiourt&##xe1;ki sheepfold
Stage 6 Yiourt&##xe1;ki sheepfold to Mt Oxi&##xe1;/Sar&##xe1;dena refuge
Stage 7 Mt Oxi&##xe1;/Sar&##xe1;dena refuge to Kok&##xe1;lia obelisk/R&##xe1;khes Timfristou
Stage 8 Kok&##xe1;lia obelisk/R&##xe1;khes Timfristou to Karpenisi
Section 2 Karpenisi to Mesokhora
Stage 9 Karpenisi to Kerasokhori
Stage 10 Kerasokhori to Varvari&##xe1;dha
Stage 11 Varvari&##xe1;dha to Epinian&##xe1;
Stage 12 Epinian&##xe1; to Spili&##xe1; monastery
Stage 13 Spili&##xe1; monastery to Petroto
Stage 14 Petroto to Kali Komi
Stage 15 Kali Komi to Moskhofito
Stage 15A Kali Komi to Mirofilo
Stage 16 Moskhofito to Mesokhora
Stage 16A Mirofilo to Mesokhora
Section 3 Mesokhora to M&##xe9;tsovo
Stage 17 Mesokhora to Gardhiki or Athamania
Stage 18 Gardhiki or Athamania to Matsouki
Stage 19 Matsouki to Kalarites
Stage 20 Kalarites to Khaliki
Stage 20A Kalarites to Khaliki ridge route
Stage 21 Khaliki to M&##xe9;tsovo
Section 4 M&##xe9;tsovo to the Albanian border
Stage 22 M&##xe9;tsovo to V&##xe1;lia K&##xe1;lda
Stage 23 V&##xe1;lia K&##xe1;lda to Vovousa
Stage 24 Vovousa to Dhistrato
Stage 24A Link: Vovousa to Skamn&##xe9;li
Stage 25 Dhistrato to Samarina
Stage 25A Dhistrato to Palios&##xe9;li
Stage 26 Samarina to Dhrakolimni
Stage 26A Palios&##xe9;li to Dhrakolimni
Stage 27 Dhrakolimni to Ayia Paraskevi/Ker&##xe1;sovo
Stage 28 Ayia Paraskevi/Ker&##xe1;sovo to Kefalokhori
Stage 29 Kefalokhori to Aetomilitsa/D&##xe9;nsko
Stage 30 Aetomilitsa/D&##xe9;nsko to Mt Gr&##xe1;mos summit
Part 3 Zagori and Mt Gamila
Stage 1 Tsep&##xe9;lovo to Kipi via Kap&##xe9;sovo and Koukouli
Stage 1A Tsep&##xe9;lovo to Kipi via Khadziou bridge
Stage 2 Kipi to Monodh&##xe9;ndhri
Stage 3 Monodh&##xe9;ndhri to P&##xe1;pingo via Vikos gorge
Stage 4 P&##xe1;pingo to Astr&##xe1;ka refuge
Stage 5 Astr&##xe1;ka refuge to Tsep&##xe9;lovo or Kap&##xe9;sovo
Stage 5A Astr&##xe1;ka refuge to Konitsa
Stage 6 Skamn&##xe9;li to Konitsa
Part 4 Mt Olympus
Stage 1 Prionia to Spilios Agapitos/Refuge A
Stage 2 Spilios Agapitos/Refuge A to Mitikas and Yiosos Apostolidhis/Refuge B
Stage 3 Yiosos Apostolidhis/Refuge B to Prionia
Stage 4 Prionia to Litokhoro
Appendix A Route summary tables
Appendix B Glossary
Appendix C Further reading
Appendix D Useful contacts