The landscape of Greece is mostly mountainous so that it remains a dream destination of many hikers throughout the world. Many trails on the island have been re-invented, redesigned and properly marked so that hiking can be a pleasurable activity. Yet there are some other trails that are not as popular but they still remain close to the heart of many walkers who like to venture on them due to their idyllic setting and typical undulating passages.
Some of the best offbeat but lovely trails are presented here so that visitors to the island can have a heart-stirring hiking experience.
1. Kythira
It is a relatively easier trail of 2.6 km that may require about two hours to complete. The walk starts from Mylopotamos and gradually advances into areas that can take a person back into the ancient time. It is a considerably older trail in which multiple attractive azure colored waterfalls can be expected. A lot of exhausted-looking water mills made of stone can also be seen on the way.
Gushing sound of water and plane trees murmuring in a significant part of the journey can make this hike seem straight out of some fairytale book. Hikers can see the repaired Filippi watermill or even enjoy a swim in the plunge pools towards the end.
2. Mountainous Messinia
It is an easy-to-moderate trail along a distance of 10.1 km. A little over three hours may be needed to cover this walk that usually begins from the Neda village in Messinia. Different types of landscapes and forest covers can be expected all through the trail. A vegetation cover of Kermes Oaks, Chestnut trees and Oak trees together with open fields may have to be crossed. So, this is one of the most frequented offbeat but lovely trails in Greece.
It also passes through mountain peaks and gorges and through the villages of Abeliona, Neda and Skliros. The Temple of Apollo Epicurius made by the genius 5th-century architect Ictinus also falls on the way. It is much of an unknown trail in the country but can be a highly refreshing one for any hiker due to all the different types of attractions that are there.
3. Taxiarches in Drama
It is also an easy trail but one that may take about two and a half hours to complete the seven km walk. The usual starting point of the hike is the village of Taxiarches on the foothills of the Falakro Mountain. The starting point has many non-functional marble quarries where workers hard earlier to crush the stones. The result now is a splendid lake that reflects the many colors of the nearby oak forest.
The hike involves agricultural road passages and old pathways that can look quite splendid in their age-old charm. There is also an adjacent trail that has many quarries with magnificent original rock formations. The best part of this journey is that it can be planned during any time of the year as the trail can be accessed at all times.
4. Sifnos
It is a moderate-difficulty level trail of 15 km that starts from the Apollonia village and can be covered within seven hours. It is a considerably older trail that runs through steeper inclines aided by steps to cross them comfortably. It also passes through many chapels across roadless areas and the protected area of the island, Natura 2000 is also an active part of the walk. Hikers can see the mesmeric view of the Aegean Sea in many places throughout a journey. The Monastery of Panagia Toso Nero can be a welcome stop on the way.
The cells of the monastery are open for having a look inside them so that a visit here can be quite rejuvenating. While progressing further, there is also a beach that goes by the same name and a swim here can be quite refreshing. During the spring season, the whole place blooms to life and hiking at that time is highly recommendable.
5. Prespa Lakes
It is an 11.4 km hiking trail that starts from the Church of Agios Georgios and ends with a climb to Mount Devas from where a scintillating view of the Prespa Lakes can be expected. Along the way, fortification remains of the Greek Civil War and occasional view of the stunning lake can be expected at many times. The amazing pelican colonies can be seen from the top of the mountain and that can look simply stunning.
For every hiker, these can be some of the best yet offbeat hiking trails in Greece that can be highly enjoyable mostly during the Spring or Fall season.
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