Upon arrival in the city of Volos you will meet with a member of the team. You will then be transferred to the picturesque village of Milies. After check in you have time to explore this beautiful village.
- Overnight stay: Milies.
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Discover the lush landscapes of Mount Pelion on this self-guided walking holiday, combining mountain trails, traditional villages, and coastal paths. Walk through charming villages such as Milies, Kala Nera, Tsagarada, Damouchari, Chania, and Portaria, crossing forests, orchards, and cobbled streets, with breathtaking views over the Aegean Sea. Swim in secluded beaches, explore historic villages, and experience the region’s unique architecture and local hospitality at your own pace.
Activity code: GRSGPW02
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. [Participants should be in good physical condition with some relevant hiking experience.]
Duration: 8 Days / 7 nights
Explore the enchanting landscapes of Mount Pelion, the legendary Land of the Centaurs, on this self-guided walking holiday that combines mountain trails, traditional villages, and spectacular coastline. This itinerary allows you to walk at your own pace, while staying in carefully selected local accommodation and following detailed route notes to recreate, roughly, what we offer on our small-group tours.
Your hikes take you through cobbled stone streets and historic villages built by Greece’s finest 19th-century stone masons. Wander through orchards, olive groves, beech and chestnut forests, enjoying panoramic views over the Aegean Sea. Key stops along the route include:
Milies - with its charming cobbled streets and iconic Pelion railway station
Tsagarada - famed for its centuries-old plane trees and traditional architecture
Kala Nera - a picturesque coastal village perfect for a seaside stroll
Damouchari - a tiny fishing village with crystal-clear waters and secluded beaches
Chania - a hillside village offering stunning views of the surrounding valleys
Portaria - renowned for its elegant mansions, fabulous food and scenic cobbled streets
Along the coastline, discover hidden beaches and small fishing villages where you can pause to swim or relax, combining hiking with moments of leisure. The twenty-four villages of Pelion emerge from forests and mountains, each with cobblestone streets and traditional manor houses, offering a glimpse into the region’s rich architectural and cultural heritage.
Whether you are ascending mountain trails, strolling along the coast, or sampling local cuisine in village tavernas, this holiday offers something for everyone. The combination of scenic hikes, coastal exploration, and cultural discovery makes it a perfect experience for walkers, food lovers, and photographers alike.
For those who prefer a more structured experience, a small-group guided version of this holiday is also available, offering expert guidance while following similar routes.
Minimum Group Size: 2 persons
Accommodation: Comfortable, carefully selected local hotels in or near walking routes
Flexibility: Daily routes and distances are adjustable to suit your pace and preferences.
Single supplement: £ 150 per person
Itinerary
Upon arrival in the city of Volos you will meet with a member of the team. You will then be transferred to the picturesque village of Milies. After check in you have time to explore this beautiful village.
On your first hike you will walk along old stone paths, follow the old steam train route from Milies to the station of Pinakates and continue to the village of Kala Nera. As you hike through olive orchards you will have a stunning view of Pagasitikos Bay. Upon arrival in Kala Nera you can swim and have lunch by the sea before hiking back to Milies.
Today’s hike will take you to the opposite side of the mountain; from Milies, on the south west side, you will travel northeasterly to Tsagarada through an enchanting forest teeming with tall chestnut trees. In Tsagarada you can admire the oldest plane tree in Europe, which is more than 1800 years old.
Your destination on today's hike is the isolated beach of Fakistra. Following the coastal path with magnificent views of the Aegean Sea, you can enjoy a refreshing swim at this captivating beach. After your swim, walk along the coast into Damouchari, a lovely seaside village which will be familiar to those who have seen the movie 'Mamma Mia' since many scenes from the movie were filmed there in 2007.
Today’s hike begins at Damouchari and takes you along the shoreline path to the breathtakingly white sandy beach of Papa Nero. It would be a crime not to leave ample time for a swim here before embarking upon your ascent to Mouresi village and then through the forest and up to the pretty village of Kissos. From there you will be taken by car to Chania.
Today you will hike in mountainous terrain around the ski centre of Pelion. Your circular walk to the ski centre, at an altitude of 1470m, starts from your hotel. Once you get there you’ll enjoy the beautiful views of the Pagasitikos Bay. After lunch continue your walk through a shaded forest of beech trees and return to your hotel.
Today you will follow the same path that was used by the Centaurs, the half-horse, half-human creatures of Greek Mythology. The best known Centaur, Chiron, was the tutor of Achilles and Asclepius. This path, which begins in Chania at an altitude of approximately 1200 meters, overflows with Mediterranean vegetation and leads you to the village of Portaria.
In the afternoon you can discover yet another incredibly beautiful village of Pelion – Makrinitsa referred to by the locals as 'the balcony of Pelion'. With its historic mansions and stunning view of the Pagasitikos Bay and the city of Volos below, the beauty of Makrinitsa will become etched in your memory forever.
