Mountains and Villages of Evia

Day 1: Start Athens; transfer to Rafina; ferry to Evia

We meet at Athens airport and transfer by road to Rafina (approximately 35 minutes). We then take the ferry to Mamari on Evia (about one hour). It is then a short drive to our hotel at Karystos.

Day 2: Walk through rolling hills and the Gourna villages, passing Roman sites and visiting the Castello Rosso

Our first day takes us through Karystos town up to the villages of Gourna, which are scattered high above Karystos bay and below the peaks of Mount Ohi. Walking through the verdant countryside along worn-stone paths next to springs and streams, we reach a Roman aqueduct from 160 BCE. We continue to Castello Rosso, one of the grandest forts of the Fourth Crusade, where we can enjoy lunch with beautiful views of the Mediterranean. Using mountain goat trails and country lanes, we walk down to the fertile valley of Mili, full of citrus, olive and cypress trees, before reaching the coast. Ascent: 1,312ft (400m); descent: 1,312ft (400m); max altitude: 1,476ft (450m); time: six hours

Day 3: Walk through the ravine from Platanistos to the beach at Potami Bay

We drive along the southeastern tip of the island, over the mountains towards the Cape of Cavo Doro, heading to the beautiful ravine of Platanistos and the first of 20 ancient villages of Albanian descent. Over the arches of stone bridges, we follow the river towards Potami hamlet on the coast, a Hellenistic anchorage since Homeric times. En route, we view the site of Hellinikon and see the remains of an eighth-century BCE temple to Poseidon. Walking among large plane trees, we reach the sea and one of the nicest, yet still relatively unknown, beaches in the Aegean. During the warmer months, we can swim and relax here. We return to Karystos by taxi/coach. Ascent: 656ft (200m); descent: 1,312ft (400m); max altitude: 1,640ft (500m); time: five hours

Day 4: Ascend Mount Kliosi and visit the Acropolis of Styra

We start with an early morning drive along the panoramic mountain road to the north, known as the Eagle Route, which takes us above the evergreen valley of Styra. We then summit Mount Kliosi, home to the remains of an ancient acropolis. An eerie ancient gate, the Cave of St Nicolas and the ruins of Castro Armeno, often in the mist, make this a visit to remember. The gentle walk down takes us past wild strawberry bushes and the remains of Roman marble quarries to the quaint villages of Styra Valley, which overlook Marathon, just across the water on the continent. In the afternoon, we take the bus back to Karystos. Ascent: 1,148ft (350m); descent: 1,804ft (550m); max altitude: 2,625ft (800m); time: five hours

Day 5: Morning walk in the Bay of Marmari; afternoon free to relax on the beach or wander around Karystos

This morning we drive to the village of Lycorema. We enjoy a coastal walk around the bay and visit the fishing hamlet of Marmari. The afternoon is free to relax on the beach or wander around Karystos, an authentic Greek island town. Ascent: 328ft (100m); descent: 656ft (200m); max altitude: 984ft (300m); time: 2hr 30min

Day 6: Imperial Roman quarries on Mount Ohi and the villages in the Valley of Aetos

From the springs of St Theodore in Argastaras mountain village, we climb up on Mount Ohi following multi-trails and worn-marble paths to the heart of the Roman quarries where green and white marble known as cipollino – small onion in Latin, due to its stripes and rings – was shaped into monumental monolithic columns around Biblical times. There are 10 perfectly completed marble pillars still here, abandoned during the decline of Rome. Ancient paths take us to the villages of upper and lower Aetos with superb views of the Aegean Sea all along the way. We reach the coast, dotted with beautiful small sandy coves, on the way back to town. Ascent: 984ft (300m); descent: 1,969ft (600m); max altitude: 2,133ft (650m); time: 5hr 30min

Day 7: Mount Ohi gorge walk down to the rugged east coast and the Aegean archipelagos

Today we walk on one of the oldest paths on the island, an ancient corridor within the gorge to the remote and wild beach on the east coast. We travel by taxi/coach to the isolated village of Agios Dimitrios on Mount Ohi, which is the starting point of the gorge walks. The ancient path in the beginning runs next to the river and gradually rises high above it with outstanding views of the limestone cliffs and the ever-blue Aegean. The dramatic canyon is a natural habitat for thyme, oregano and sage; peonies and orchids; eagles and falcons; plane and chestnut trees. Ascent: 656ft (200m); descent: 1,312ft (400m); max altitude: 1,640ft (500m); time: five hours

Day 8: Ferry to Athens; end Athens Airport

After breakfast, we can visit a local beekeeper to learn about and taste Greek honey and its products. Around lunchtime, we check out of our rooms and transfer back to Athens airport where our adventure ends.