Mountains & Villages of Evia

We meet at Athens airport and transfer by road to Rafina (approximately 35 minutes). We then take the ferry to Mamari on Evia (about one hour). It is then a short drive to our hotel at Karystos.

Our first day takes us through Karystos town up to the villages of Gourna, which are scattered high above Karystos bay and below the peaks of Mount Ohi. Walking through the verdant countryside along worn-stone paths next to springs and streams, we reach a Roman aqueduct from 160 BCE. We continue to Castello Rosso, one of the grandest forts of the Fourth Crusade, where we can enjoy 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. Max altitude: 1,476ft (450m)

In the morning we drive towards the central part of Evia (approx. 45 minutes),  to Niborio, located at a small gulf south of Styra. We walk along the coast to the bay and beach of Porto Lafia through shepherd huts and old chapels. We return to Karystos by taxi/coach (approx. 1 hour). Max altitude: 1,640ft (500m)

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 summit Mount Kliosi, home to the remains of an ancient acropolis. An 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 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. Max altitude: 2,625ft (800m)

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. Max altitude: 984ft (300m)

From the springs of St Theodore in Argastaras mountain village, we climb up on Mount Ohi following multi-trails and worn-marble paths to the heart of the Roman quarries where 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. There are 10 perfectly completed marble pillars still here, abandoned during the decline of Rome. Ancient paths take us to the villages of upper and lower Aetos with superb views of the Aegean Sea all along the way. We reach the coast, dotted with beautiful small sandy coves, on the way back to town. Max altitude: 2,133ft (650m)

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/coach to the isolated village of Agios Dimitrios on Mount Ohi, which is the starting point of the gorge walks. 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. The dramatic canyon is a natural habitat for thyme, oregano and sage; peonies and orchids; eagles and falcons; plane and chestnut trees. Max altitude: 1,640ft (500m)

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