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Discover the fantastic Chios Hiking Trails
A Comprehensive Guide to Hiking in Greece’s Hidden Gem

Looking to go hiking in Chios? Great idea, as the island’s nature offers so much more than a beach vacation.

This little-known Greek island is a hiker’s paradise, where ancient history and natural beauty blend seamlessly into the landscape.

I spent four incredible days on Chios island, enjoying two fantastic hikes that showed off the island’s stunning vistas and hidden cultural treasures.

Whether you’re an experienced hiker looking for rugged terrain or someone who wants to take in the scenery at a leisurely pace, Chios has a trail to suit your needs. There is even a long-distance trail through the stunning western and northern parts of the island.

Keep reading to find out everything about Chios hiking and my experience on the sections of the new multi-leg-trail.

Chios Hiking Trail Overview

Chios is blessed with a lot of very different landscapes, which makes hiking very diverse. Additionally, I definitely did not expect that the trails would be so well-marked.

Thanks to the association Friends of Chios Trails and many volunteers, they are as well very well maintained. Better than some regions in the Alps. Find below 3 different Chios Hiking Trails:

1. Nea Moni Monastery Loop

One of the most popular trails on Chios is the Nea Moni Monastery Loop. It circles the famous Nea Moni, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its fine mosaics and significant Byzantine architecture.

⇨ Nea Moni is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, besides the Chios Mastic, one of the reasons why Chios is famous. You have to visit this monastery, even if you are just on a day trip to the island.

This easy trail not only offers spiritual and historical insights, but also surrounds hikers with dense forest and calming smells of pine and mastic trees. The loop offers several viewpoints from which to overlook the central part of the island.

Hiking time: 2h | Length: 5,7km | Altitude meters: ↑ 200 & ↓ 200 |
Difficulty level: easy ⇨ GPS & more details


2. Kampia Gorge

This trail is located in the very north of the island. It starts in the village of Kampia and leads on a path down into the impressive gorge.

The trail passes through various vegetation types, including olive trees, pines, and plane trees. Along the way, there are also two waterfalls and a small dam to bypass. The hike ends at the beach with a wetland habitat and fantastic wide views over the sea.

You will to return on the same trek or extend it to become a circular route by returning through the deserted settlement of Agrellopo.

Hiking time: 3h | Length: 6,6km | Altitude meters: ↑ 330 & ↓ 330 |
Difficulty level: easy-moderate ⇨ More details


3. Nea Moni – Litha Beach

I did this hike on my first day in Chios and was totally overwhelmed! This beautiful hike connects the monastery of Nea Moni, with the beautiful beach of Lithi. A perfect combination of cultural and nature hike, with a refreshing swim at the end as a reward.

But the start and end points are not the only highlights of this route: there are countless fantastic views of the east and west coasts of the island, a 4km stretch on an old Ottoman route and plenty of nature to admire along the way.

Unfortunately, there is no public transport to Nea Moni, so you will have to get an organized transfer for the starting and end point ⇨ Ask George from Chios Trails for any help with that.

Hiking time: 3,5h | Length: 11km | Altitude meters: ↑ 230 & ↓ 660 |
Difficulty level: moderate ⇨ More details


Long Distance Hiking Trail: Lithi Beach – Agiasmata

The fantastic and super scenic hike from Nea Moni to Lithi Beach (see above) is the first or last section of a new long distance hiking trail that winds its way through the mountains of north-western Chios.

A total of 7 stages lead from Lithi Beach to Agiasmata in the north of the island. I also hiked the last stage from Kourounia to Agiasmata beach and really loved it (⇨ see details on Komoot).

Other highlights along this multi-day tour include the beautiful villages of Avgonima, the ghost village of Anavatos and other abandoned settlements, as well as Volissos and its impressive castle.

The 90km long-distance hiking trail is superbly marked and has been maintained with a lot of dedication. However, there is still a lack of infrastructure around it, but that is in the making!


How to get to the Chios Hiking Trails

I highly recommend renting a car to explore and travel on the beautiful island of Chios, as the unspoiled nature and lack of tourist crowds has its price.

The starting and finishing points of the hikes on the island are not easy to reach by public transportation, if at all. Unfortunately, the Chios transportation network is not yet well-developed.

This makes the accessibility for individual hikes as well as the realization of the long distance hike challenging. Nevertheless, you have the following options:

Local hiking guide: Just like I did, you can explore the island and its great hikes with a local guide from Chios Trails.

I can highly recommend this service as George, the owner, as well as Daniel, who works for George, are absolute fantastic guides. They speak perfect English, know every tree, plant, and flower on the island by first name, and are very knowledgeable about Chios.

Would you have recognised wild asparagus or oregano when growing in the wild? Now, I know!

Transportation: Since the trails are well maintained, and you don’t really need a guide to find your way, you can also book transfers through George to your starting and finishing points.

In fact, you can contact George at Chios Trails for anything you want to do on the island. He knows everyone and everything and is happy to help you with any kind of organization (⇨ email from George).


Why Hike in Chios?

Chios offers a unique combination of natural and cultural landscapes that are ideal for hikers.

Chios Nature

The island has a variety of terrains, from tranquil olive groves to dramatic cliff scenes, all set against the expansive blue of the Aegean.

The north and northwest of the island is dominated by rocky mountains and steep cliffs, ideal for hiking and nature lovers. Mount Pelinnaio is the highest point on the island at almost 1300 meters above sea level.

The central part of Chios is characterized by extensive mastic forests. The landscape here is lush and green, with numerous small medieval villages nestled against the hills. Northwest of Chios town is the barren and treeless Aepos Plateau.

The southern coast offers some of the most beautiful beaches of Chios, with crystal clear waters and soft sand, ideal for sunbathers. The west coast is known for its secluded coves and small fishing villages.

Chios Weather

The climate is another plus, with mild winters and warm springs and autumn, making almost any season perfect for hitting the trails.

Spring (March to May): Spring is one of the best times to hike in Chios. The weather is comfortably warm, typically ranging from 15°C to 23°C (59°F to 73°F). This season is particularly beautiful as the island blooms with colorful wildflowers and the landscape is lush and green, creating picturesque trails.

My Tip: Whatever herbs you need for your kitchen, you can be sure to find them growing somewhere in Chios during this season.

Summer (June to August): Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures often climbing above 30°C (86°F). Hiking may even be dangerous in the summer due to the heat. Short hikes in the early morning or late evening may be possible during these months to avoid the midday heat.

Autumn (September to November): Like spring, autumn is an excellent time for hiking. The temperatures cool down to a range of 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), and the island retains much of its verdant beauty from the rainy months. The sea also remains warm enough for comfortable swims after long hikes, making it a perfect dual-experience season.

Winter (December to February): Winters are mild compared to many other European destinations, with temperatures rarely falling below 10°C (50°F).

However, this is the wettest season in Chios, which can make some trails slippery and less accessible. That said, the island’s lower altitudes still offer pleasant hiking opportunities, especially on clear days.

Chios Solitude

A very important point and reason to come hiking in Chios is also its solitude and absence of the usual tourist crowds.

As this Greek island is, fortunately, not one of the crowded destinations in the Mediterranean like Mallorca, Malta or Crete, the hiking trails are wonderfully empty, and you can enjoy nature to the full.


Conclusion

Chios island is a fantastic destination for hiking, blending breathtaking landscapes with rich historical sites. Whether you’re climbing rugged mountains, strolling through lush forests, or walking along peaceful beaches, the island offers a diverse setting for every type of hiker.

The island’s trails, well maintained by local volunteers and filled with the tranquility of nature, promise solitude and a break from the often crowded tourist spots of the Mediterranean.

So if you’re looking for an authentic hiking experience combining natural beauty, history, culture, locals not yet tired of tourists and tranquility, Chios is the ideal choice.


Disclosure
I was able to write this article because I was invited on a press trip by the Chios Regional Unit Tourism Department. My opinion was in no way influenced by this, nor was I given any guidelines for this article.
Many thanks for that!
Thank you as well for the great experiences I was able to have on site!