Secrets of the Pelion Peninsula
- Follow ancient cobbled trails through the Pelion Peninsula
- Immersing yourself in the Greek folklore of the Centaurs
- Staying in typical “arhontika”, traditional stone houses in stunning locations
- Sitting in a taverna and sample the delicious local specialties of fasoladha and gyropsomo
- Swimming in the inviting turquoise bays of the Aegean Sea
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in PortariaPortaria is located on the Pelion Peninsula, a little-visited area of Greece and a walker’s paradise! This area is accessible from either Athens or Thessalonika with good train or bus links.
Arrive in your 4* hotel and relax by the pool, relishing in views over Volos and the Pagasitic Gulf. This evening why not amble into the village and admire the square with its typical Pelion architecture with the windows and doors of the houses painted in a variety of colours.

The central building of this impressive property dates back to the 19th century when it was built as a private mansion.
Today you begin by walking to the traditional mountain village of Makrinitsa, which has characterful stone houses with slated roofs. You’ll follow the trail through the maquis shrubland scented with thyme and oregano as you walk to an idyllic church. Ascend through a forest and then via a track towards Portaria, whilst enjoying views over the city of Volos en route. Before reaching Portaria you will enter and walk through a lush green gorge.
Ascent/Descent: 550m/550m

The central building of this impressive property dates back to the 19th century when it was built as a private mansion.
This morning depart from Portaria and follow a beautiful path upwards and through conifer trees under ‘Aidonaki’, a mountain in the western peaks of the Pelion. After a while, the scenery changes and you walk through a beech forest. Just before reaching the highest hamlet of Pelion, Hania, you pass by the ruins of an old sanatorium lost in the forest. Here begins the ski resort of Hania at an altitude of 1250 m and where the air is cool and fresh. Stay overnight at a spa resort.
Ascent/Descent: 560m/35m

Founded in 1910, the year-round Manthos Hotel is located in Chania, Pelion, 1.5 km from the Agriolefkes Ski Centre. It features a hot tub, a sauna and an indoor heated swimming pool.
Begin today with a transfer to the start of the kalderimi (paved stone mule path). Upon arrival descend on this ancient path through a beech forest and then on the alternate tarmac and kalderimi paths until you reach the picturesque village of Kissos. After a lunch break in a local taverna continue on a pretty track to Mouresi village and then descend to the Aegean coast and arrive in the small and quaint resort of Agios Ioannis. Take an evening stroll on the long beach that is covered in white stones that resemble pearls.
Walk: 7 or 11km
Ascent/Descent: 300m/300m or 1100m/650m

Located next to the beach, this lovely property offers comfortable rooms overlooking the deep blue Aegean Sea and an outdoor pool, bar and a shady terrace.
After breakfast on the hotel’s terrace walk along the coast on a very pleasant cobbled path. Before too long you reach the hamlet of Damouchari, a small fishing village located in a pretty bay. Though this place is tiny, in the past it was of great strategic importance as it was the only natural harbour on the entire coast between Volos and Katerini. Today the bay provides a natural swimming pool with a pleasant pebble beach.
From Damouchari you continue along the coast to Fakistra beach where there is a possibility to visit the cave of Krifo Scholio, which was used during the Turkish occupation as an illegal school! From here walk uphill on a path eventually reaching Tsagarada, a wide village with numerous churches and squares and with a panoramic view over the Aegean Sea. From the terrace of your characterful accommodation, you can see the village square with its 1,000-year-old plane tree. It has an incredible diameter of 14m!
Ascent/Descent: 700m/300m

The Lost Unicorn Hotel offers eight rooms and occupies a 19th century mansion on the edge of Agia Paraskevi square - it features a magical flower-filled terrace from where you can enjoy fine quality European and modern Greek cuisine.

Aleka’s House Hotel is situated in the fascinating Tsagarada, a village situated at eastern Pelion, on the mountain of the Centaurs. The hotel features beautiful rooms and has a cafeteria with a panoramic view of the Aegean Sea.
On today’s walk you’ll cross the mountain range at 700m elevation towards the south of the Pelion. First walk explore the pretty village of Tsagarada, where you have just spent the night and pass old churches and squares. Ascend through forest via old mule tracks that were mainly built to allow the transportation of supplies from village to village. Now descend to the picturesque mountain village of Milies, whilst enjoying great views over the Pagasitic Gulf. In the lovely village of Milies you will find many old olive groves.
Ascent/Descent: 350m /400 m

This hotel is newly built but in the traditional style of the Pelion. Relax on the terrace, swim in the outdoor pool and appreciate the stunning views and surrounding scenery.
Descend from Milies towards the coast enjoying great views all the way. On the last section before reaching the coastal village of Koropi you walk on dirt roads and through olive groves. From Koropi walk to the nearby village Kala Nera, where it is possible to have a sustaining lunch in the shadow of the five huge plane trees in the village square.
Ascend via cobbled paths through a small hamlet until you reach the narrow gauge railway tracks, that you follow all the way back into Milies. These tracks are 200-300m above sea level and you will pass many engineering features from the past, plus a cave where, according to mythology, the centaur Cheiron taught Asklepios about medicinal plants and herbs.
Ascent/Descent: 450m

This hotel is newly built but in the traditional style of the Pelion. Relax on the terrace, swim in the outdoor pool and appreciate the stunning views and surrounding scenery.
This morning after breakfast make your way to the airport to fly home. You can either take a taxi from Milies to Volos, which costs around €45 per taxi, or a public bus. You can then continue on the interregional bus to Athens or Thessaloniki. Please see the Travel Information section for more information. It is also possible to book transfers through Macs Adventure in advance. Please ask your Destination & Adventure Specialist for details.
Other Information
Is it for me?On this trip you will experience heavenly walks in a lesser-known part of Greece, the Pelion Peninsula, which is a land rich in Greek legend. Not only will you walk through lush green and shady forests, but there is also the opportunity to swim in, and walk alongside the waters, of the sparkling Aegean Sea. Stay in lovely accommodations, some with a pool and sample the local excellent gastronomy.
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers
This walking holiday is graded moderate. Daily walks range between 5 and 8 miles but there are certainly some elevation gains and losses to contend with. The walks follow a mixture of unsurfaced old mule tracks, gravel roads, cobbled and rocky footpaths and minor roads. The Pelion has a hilly interior and has a ski resort so it is quite high. We therefore recommend undertaking some walks with elevation gains before you depart. Generally walking trails in Greece tend to be quite rocky so you do have to be careful with your footing when negotiating the trails.
This tour is suitable for people that are in good physical condition and it is rated moderate due to the elevation gains and losses. The Pelion has a hilly interior and has a ski resort so it is quite high. We therefore recommend undertaking some walks with elevation gains before you depart. Generally walking trails in Greece tend to be quite rocky so you do have to be careful with your footing when negotiating the trails.
Read about journalist Tim Bouverie's experience walking the Pelion Peninsula here.
Your 8 day Secrets of the Pelion Peninsula self-guided walking tour includes 7 nights in 2*, 3* and 4* hotels.
You will be provided with detailed route notes and maps with the daily walks outlined to help you find your way. The routes are not normally way-marked so you will have to keep focused on the route notes as you walk!
- 7 Nights in 2*, 3* and 4* hotels
- 7 Breakfasts
- Baggage transfers
- Route notes and maps, and detailed information pack
- Organisational assistance and backup from our area manager in Greece and our office
- Travel insurance (required)
- Travel to Portaria
- Lunches & Dinners
- Drinks and snacks
- Personal equipment
- Additional nights before or after the trip
This trip is available to book from the end of April until the end of October. It may be possible to book during the month of April however this will involve some changes to the itinerary due to closure of one of the hotels. Please contact us for more information if you are interested in travelling during April.
Spring and Autumn are great walking seasons as the temperatures are milder. You can walk in the summer months but the recommendation is to begin walking early so that you miss the heat of the day as the temperatures can get very high at this time of year. In the spring the countryside will be full of spring flowers. There can also be some storms on the peninsula throughout the season so it is best to be prepared for all weather. Please note that at the very beginning and end of the season (early April and end of October) any swimming pools at accommodations may be closed and restaurant offerings may be more limited during this time.
The best way to get to Portaria is to take flights into either Athens or Thessaloniki, then buses or trains to Volos, then buses or taxis from Volos to Portaria. Here is some more detailed information.
By Air - It is possible to fly into either Athens or Thessalonika to access the beginning and end points of this tour. Many airlines fly into Athens companies such as Easyjet, Aegean Airlines and Ryanair fly into Thessalonika.
From Athens Airport there are frequent public buses to Athens bus station and there are 10 buses daily from Athens Liosson bus station to Volos. Check out the following website for information: http://www.ktelvolou.gr/ It is also possible to take a train from Athens Airport. You may travel by train to SKA and connect onto the Athens-Larissa line. Or you can transfer from the Athens Airport to the centre of Athens and get on the Larissa line from here. Trains depart approximately every couple of hours and the journey takes about 5 hours.
From Thessalonika Airport there are frequent public buses to Thessalonika bus and train stations. There are 8 buses to Volos daily. Please check here for schedules http://www.ktelvolou.gr/ You can also take trains from Thessalonika to Volos with a connection in Larissa to Volos. Trains leave approximately every 1-2 hours and take around 2 hours, depending on the connection.
The best way to get from Volos to Portaria is to take a taxi which costs around €20 per taxi. It is also possible to take a bus which costs around €1.60 and takes around 20 minutes. Please check the bus timetable here at Magnesias.
On your return journey, you can either take a taxi from Milies to Volos, which costs around €45 per taxi, or a public bus which costs around €2.60 and takes approx. 40 minutes. You can then continue on the interregional bus to Athens or Thessaloniki. Routes are available on http://www.ktelvolou.gr/.
It is also possible to book transfers through Macs Adventure in advance. Please ask your Destination & Adventure Specialist for details.
The distances and are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all the necessary items. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes the standard gear we advise.
Our pre-departure information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take. This includes good waterproof gear, walking shoes/boots, and lots of other useful bits and bobs.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
The walking is graded easy to moderate, however it is more towards the moderate grading on some of the walks so you will need to be used to some elevation gains and losses. You will enjoy the holiday more if you already enjoy an active lifestyle and have a good level of walking fitness.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised.
You will need good walking shoes/boots, comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack, warm clothing in the early/late part of the year and hats etc during the summer. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.
Spring and Autumn are great walking seasons as the temperatures are milder. You can walk in the summer months but the recommendation is too begin walking early so that you miss the heat of the day. In the spring the countryside will be full of spring flowers.
You can use local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop.Your accommodation or local supplier will be able to help you with this.
-
Save %8 Days 7 Nights
Crete Coast to Coast
Discover unspoilt landscapes as you walk from the north to the south coast of CreteHighlights- Explore undiscovered Crete on foot
- Walk through the lesser known Sfakia gorge
- Swimming in the deep blue, clear waters
-
Save %8 Days 7 Nights0 Reviews
Walking the Greek Cyclades: Sifnos & Milos
Take tranquil walks on the Cyclades islands of Sifnos and Milos whilst enjoying the local cultureHighlights- Ferry-hop between the islands of Sifnos and Milos
- Enjoy mouth-watering fresh seafood
- Walk through white-washed hilltop villages
-
Save %8 Days 7 Nights0 Reviews
Walking the Greek Cyclades: Santorini & Paros
Walk the Greek Cycladic islands of Santorini and Paros, discovering their gorgeous landscapesHighlights- Striking Santorini sunsets
- Walk the rim of the caldera
- Sweet rural villages
-
Save %8 Days 7 Nights0 Reviews
Walking the Greek Cyclades: Milos & Santorini In Style
Stay in gorgeous hand-picked hotels on the enchanting Greek Cyclades islands of Milos and SantoriniHighlights- Enjoy azure seas and sunsoaked beaches
- Walk Santorini's caldera
- Explore Athens, the birthplace of democracy