Greece – walking through history

There’s surely no better place than Greece to feel the history of millennia under your feet as you walk through ancient landscapes. Redolent of myth and legend, it is considered to be the birthplace of Western civilisation, and of course influenced the development of democracy, philosophy, science, art and sport.

On Foot’s four self-guided walking holidays in Greece explore different facets of the country’s landscapes, from islands to mountains. Whether you know this land well or have not yet visited it, there is so much to discover.

Arcadia, in the centre of the Peloponnese region, was home to Pan, the God of the Wild, one of the oldest and most colourful of the Greek Gods. Described by the poet Milton as ‘the bounteous Pan, the god of rural scenery, shepherds, and huntsmen’, he’s a character that is easy to imagine as you walk through woodland glades and mountain pastures along the Menalon Trail.

The peaceful island of Andros was not always so – in fact it has been invaded or pillaged by its Mediterranean neighbours from all directions over the centuries. Modern day visitors can still recognise Venetian and Byzantine architecture in the charming old town of Chora that is the heart of the island.

Beneath the surface of Naxos lies the unblemished white marble that has been beloved by sculptors since Neolithic times, and which adorned Classical Greece’s most holy places. One of the delights of this route is the discovery of ruined temples and half-finished statues along the way. On neighbouring Amorgos a highlight is the remarkable thousand-year-old Chozoviotiza monastery, clinging doggedly to cliffs above the sea.

The mountainous Zagori region is most remarkable for its recent history. The remote, stone-built villages around the Vikos Gorge were wealthy in the 18th and 19th centuries, but suffered from depopulation and poverty in the 20th until a spirited regeneration in recent years. Zagori families hold their heritage close, and are determined to maintain their traditions while quietly and sustainably opening up to visitors. The area is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its unique cultural landscape.

Choose your Greek walking holiday here

Explore more On Foot Holidays around Europe

The spotlight falls on northern Italy this year, as the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics arrive in Milan and the mountain resorts of the Dolomites. The slopes glisten with snow, and the villages buzz with news of sporting endeavours.

Of course the peaks look completely fabulous in their winter clothes, but they’re just as beautiful in their summer attire!  Do you fancy walking through pastures dotted with wildflowers and gentle cattle? How about a night in the cosy camaraderie of a mountain refuge, enjoying dumplings with goulash and swapping tales from the trails with fellow hikers? Here’s some inspiration for your alpine adventure.

Our summer route in the Dolomites could be just the thing – but don’t leave it too late to book, as it will be extra popular this year and the season is short. Hike from San Candido through mountain peaks and alpine meadows to Cortina, which hosts some Olympic events.

Kranjska Gora, at the start of our Slovenian Highlands route, is a popular winter sports venue, but switches to hosting walkers after the snow melts. Our walk is graded Medium, getting you into the heart of the mountains with modest effort!

The mountains of Arcadia in the central Peloponnese are popular for winter breaks, with snow-shoeing, skiing and snowmobiling on the menu. In the warmer months, our walkers on the Menalon Trail enjoy the same great views and stay in some lovely stone-built villages.

The Picos de Europa and Cantabrian hills of northern Spain are busy with sporting activity in winter, but On Foot hikers can use the cable car at Fuente Dé to get up into the peaks with no skis needed! Just relish the gentle walk down from the rocky slopes into a lush green valley.

Skirt round the slopes of Mt Tahtali on your way to the coast in Lycia – this is an unconventional winter sports area, with ‘wild’ skiing and a mountain-top bungee catapult for the brave!  We suggest you keep your feet on the ground…

And for a surprising link to the Olympics – the little town of Much Wenlock, just a few miles from the start of our Welsh Borders walk, was host to a forerunner of the modern Olympics. The first competition in 1850 included athletics and traditional country sports – and a race on penny-farthing bicycles!  Baron Pierre de Coubertin visited the games in 1890, and was inspired to create the International Olympic Committee and the Games as we know them now.

Search here to find the perfect walking holiday for you.

Kerryn (right) and his husband Henry recently walked our Vikos Gorge route in northwest Greece. It was their first walking holiday, and proved to be an inspiring and restorative trip, following some big challenges for them both in recent years. Kerryn talked to us about how the hike fitted in with improving his physical and mental health, as well as the highlights of their trip. We hope it is just the first of many rewarding explorations on foot! 

It’s hard to know how to begin writing this, so I’ll start with a little bit of information about me. My name is Kerryn, I’m 32 and married to my amazing husband, Henry. Our lives over the last few years have been turbulent, to say the least. We took a trip to South Africa after Henry was made redundant in early 2024; unfortunately, we both contracted salmonella on the first day, which led to us being hospitalised for the entire trip.

A few weeks after that disaster holiday, I started a new job and Henry ventured into the exciting but chaotic world of a start-up business — all whilst knocking down and rebuilding our family home.

To cap this all off, in October 2024, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, an incurable autoimmune disease. This came after several years of symptoms, hospital visits and missed diagnoses. It was a bombshell I wasn’t necessarily expecting. On one hand, I felt happy and relieved that the symptoms I had experienced were finally validated; on the other, I was sad and uncertain about what my future might hold. But one thing was very clear: Henry and I needed to make plans for a healthier life together.

We decided to focus on a set of goals for 2025, and a few things immediately came to mind:

● Choose only ‘active’ holidays — no more simply lounging by the pool!

● Cut back on alcohol and focus on eating well.

● Cycle from London to Paris in July 2025 to raise funds for Crohn’s & Colitis UK (support us here).

With these targets in mind, I completed over 100 days alcohol-free from January to April and went skiing in France at the end of winter. Whilst we were in the Alps, the idea of a walking trip sprung to mind. I started doing some digging online, and that’s how we came across On Foot Holidays. It seemed like the perfect way to combine a holiday with ‘walking for wellness’!

On Foot were incredible and helped to source the ideal trip for us. We wanted long, rewarding walks with a dramatic backdrop that was relatively off the beaten path (not much to ask!). We chose the Vikos Gorge trip — six days in Northern Greece — and it was absolutely breathtaking at every turn.

Day 1 & 2
We started in the quaint village of Kapesovo, which has only around 50 residents. The following day, we walked up the Vradheto Steps to take in a stunning view straight down the famous gorge from the Beloi viewpoint. Being in this mountain village brought on an amazing sense of calm that neither of us had felt for a very long time. We read our books, played cards, enjoyed conversations with other walkers, and were joined by some local furry friends (large, friendly dogs) on our walk back down the ancient steps. With this new sense of calm, my Crohn’s symptoms immediately settled, which was such a welcome relief — the perfect way to start the trip.

Day 3
We trekked down into the valley below Kapesovo to reach the slightly larger village of Monodendri — another gorgeous place with a lovely town square that sits right on the cusp of the gorge. What amazed us was how different the scenery was to the day before: rolling hills, stone bridges, and deep forests that transported us to a world JRR Tolkien might have written about. On arrival in Monodendri, we had the most amazing mountain food — lamb chops, local cheeses, moussaka, and more — then got an early night ahead of the 23 km walk through the gorge the next day.

Day 4
We set off for the Vikos Gorge walk early to avoid the midday heat. We descended the steep path surrounded by a dramatic mountain backdrop, lush forest, and a rocky, seasonally dry riverbed. As we rounded each corner, it felt like a new adventure. The On Foot travel app was our best friend — it would definitely be quite easy to lose yourself otherwise! Towards the end of the gorge, we came across the Voidhomatis Springs and took a very (very!) cold dip to cool down before beginning the ascent into the final mountain village of Papingo.

What a stunning place! Sitting on the northern edge of the Vikos Gorge and surrounded by limestone mountain pillars, it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to in Europe. Pictures simply do not do it justice — just wow!

Day 5
We prepared ourselves for the final long hike. We opted for the there-and-back hike to Astraka Refuge and Dragon Lake — a gruelling, uphill trek with no shade from the blazing 28-degree sun (definitely not for the faint-hearted!). Thankfully, as we ascended over 1,000m in altitude, the temperature dropped dramatically. Near the top of the climb, we arrived at the Astraka Refuge, overlooking a mountain plateau filled with wildflowers and wild horses — it could have been a scene straight out of ‘The Sound of Music’! It was a hard but rewarding day, and we certainly earned our dip in the cold Papingo springs the following day.

After Papingo, we travelled to Corfu for a few days of rest by the sea, which is only a couple of hours away. I am so amazed by the immediate impact that walking had on our health. It provided so much mental clarity and peace, and I’m so thankful we booked it. It truly was a memorable experience — particularly for someone who is always concerned about what to eat or where the nearest bathroom might be. We can’t wait to book our next walking holiday!

As mentioned above, Kerryn and Henry are undertaking a sponsored cycle ride from London to Paris in aid of Crohn’s & Colitis UK, starting on 23 July 2025, and have already raised an amazing sum. On Foot Holidays has made a donation – if you’d like to support them too, please follow this link. Thank you!