Hiking near Athens: 7 day hikes in Attica and beyond

The Pezoparea team · Updated 4 November 2026 · 7 min read

The easiest hikes near Athens are Parnitha from the Bafi refuge, Hymettus around Kaisariani Monastery, and Gerania. A bit further out you have Kithaironas, Lavreotiki, the island of Kea and Vouraikos gorge. Most are easy or moderate, and clubs and hiking companies run them by coach.

You can hike around Athens almost all year, and you don't have to travel far. Hymettus is inside the city, Parnitha about an hour from the centre, and in around two hours you reach Vouraikos or Kea. Below are the routes that come up most often in the programmes of Greek hiking clubs and companies.

What are the best day hikes near Athens?

Distances are approximate. Each organizer may start from a different point or skip a section, so check the kilometres and ascent listed on the outing itself. Vouraikos needs an extra check: the rack railway has been closed since March 2026 because of landslides in the gorge, and the path follows the rails. Ask the organizer whether the route is running as normal.

Where should I go for my first hike?

Start with Parnitha. The loop from Bafi refuge via Mola and the Skipiza spring is about 9 km on a good trail through fir trees, with no big climbs. Bafi serves coffee and food, but the refuge keeps set hours, so check before you go.

If you don't want to leave the city, Hymettus above Kaisariani Monastery has plenty of paths. Get there by bus or taxi and walk as long as you like.

Which hikes need more stamina?

Gerania and Kithaironas are the next step up. The Athens club POA lists Dikastro – Skala Gerakinas at 9 km, about 5 hours of walking and ±550 m of elevation, ending with a swim and lunch at Schinos. Kithaironas has steeper climbs and stays cool even in June.

Vouraikos gorge, above Diakopto, is a one-way route: the coach drops you at the top and waits at the bottom. The descent is harder on your knees than on your lungs.

When is the best time to hike around Attica?

October to May. Summer in Attica is very hot, and on days of high wildfire risk access to forests can be banned. In winter Parnitha and Kithaironas can get snow, which is beautiful but needs proper boots. In the coldest months Lavreotiki and Kea are good choices.

For November and autumn we have a separate post with specific routes.

How do I get to the trails without a car?

The simplest way is an organized outing: the coach picks you up in Athens and brings you back. The meeting point and time are on each outing's page, and most clubs leave early in the morning. For Kea, the ferry from Lavrio takes about an hour and the organizer usually arranges it. Many companies run trips in English or have English-speaking guides; ask when you sign up.

What should I bring?

• Shoes with good grip, since many Attica trails are loose stone and gravel
• At least 1.5 litres of water, more from May to September
• Hat and sunscreen, since many routes have no shade
• A windproof layer for Parnitha and Kithaironas
• Swimwear for Gerania, Lavreotiki and Kea in the warm months

How do I find a group hike from Athens?

Pezoparea collects outings from clubs such as EOS Athens, POA and AOS and from companies such as Trekkers and Trekking Hellas. Filter by region and difficulty, tap “I'm going” to see who else is going, and sign up on the organizer's site. Many club outings are members-only. The “Open to everyone” filter hides them.

Conditions, timetables and dates change. Check with the organizer before you go.