Mountains and Villages of Evia

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

From Athens airport, we transfer by road to Rafina (approximately 35 min), and then take the ferry to Mamari on Evia Island (about 1hr). 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 that are scattered high above the bay of Karystos and below the peaks of Mount Ohi. Walking through the verdant countryside along stone-worn paths next to springs and streams, we reach the Roman aqueduct of 160 BC. We continue to Castello Rosso, one of the grandest Forts of the 4th crusade, where we can enjoy our 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.

Walk: Distance 10 km Ascent 400 m Descent 400 m Max Altitude 450 m Time: 6 hours

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

We drive along the south-eastern 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 Hellinistic anchorage since Homeric times. En route we view the site of Hellinikon with the remains of the foundations of Poseidon's temple, dating back to the 8th century B.C. Walking amongst large plane trees we reach the sea and one of the nicest, yet still relatively unknown, beaches in the Aegean. During the warmer months of the year, we have the opportunity to swim and relax on the beach. We return to Karystos by taxi/coach.

Walk: Distance 10 km Ascent 200 m Descent 400 m Max Altitude 500 m Time: 5 hours

Day 4: Ascend Mount Kliosi and 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 climb Mt Kliosi's dramatic summit where the remains of the ancient Acropolis defy time and elements on a 'Wuthering Heights' plateau. The 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 the 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.

Walk: Distance 10 km Ascent 350 m Descent 550 m Max Altitude 800 m Time: 5 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.

Walk: Distance 5 km Ascent 100 m Descent 200 m Max Altitude 300 m Time: 2.5 hours

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 marble-worn paths to the heart of the Roman Quarries where the famous 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. 10 perfectly completed marble pillars are still here, abandoned during Rome's decline. The thousand years old path takes us to the villages of upper and lower Aetos with superb views of the Aegan Sea all along the way. We reach the coast, dotted with beautiful small sandy coves on the way back to town. 

Walk: Distance 10 km Ascent 300 m Descent 600 m Max Altitude 650 m Time: 5.5 hours

Day 7: Mount Ohi gorge walk down to the rugged East cost and the Aegan 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/coast to the isolated village of Agios Dimitrios on Mount Ohi, which is the starting point of the famous gorge walks on the island. 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 sea. The dramatic canyon is a natural habitat for unique flora and fauna with thyme, oregano and sage, peonies and orchids, eagles and falcons amongst plane and chestnut trees. 

Walk: Distance 10 km Ascent 200 m Descent 400 m Max Altitude 500 m Time: 5 hours

Day 8: Ferry to Athens; end Athens Airport

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