Walking on Samos - Sunflower Books

Walking on Samos: a Greek island odyssey

Samos, a verdant gem nestled in the Aegean Sea, is a fantastic destination for walkers. With its dramatic mountains, lush valleys, and charming villages, this Greek island offers a diverse range of trails for all abilities.

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a leisurely stroller, you’ll find our guidebook to walking on Samos will help you get the most out of your trip.

Below we have described some of our favourite walks on the island.

Kokkari – Vourliotes – Manolates – 2 Stavrinides – Ag Konstatinos (Walk 2)

The northern slopes of the Ambelos range are deeply folded and rich in vegetation. Rivers and streams flow down the valleys (occasionally creating crossing difficulties for spring walkers if the season has been wet), and ivy flourishes in the humidity.

Vineyards thrive here, too; the steep slopes have challenged farmers into building tiered terraces clinging to the hillsides, defying natural forces and adding their own grace to the landscape.

This walk follows tracks and footpaths up and down the folds and in and out of the valleys. Three lovely hill villages are visited along the way, each a little higher than the last.

Spring walkers can enjoy the song of the nightingale as they cross the wooded valleys, especially beyond Manolates.

Circuit from Platanakia (Walk 5)

This route follows Platanakia – Manolates – Stavrinides 5 – Platanakia.

The Valley of the Nightingales between Manolates and Stavrinides is one of the best known and most beautiful valleys on Samos.

There are plenty of options for exploring all or part of it. At the heart of this walk is a high-level route between Manolates and Stavrinides. It uses a mix of footpaths and tracks and climbs to a fair height.

Returning along the lower track makes an interesting circuit.

Circuit from Samos (Walk 7)

The route follows Samos – Ag Zoni – Kamara – 4 Zoodochou Pigis – Kamara – Samos.

Skilful positioning of the island’s monasteries gives them an enormous sense of tranquillity and solitude.

It is almost as if a bargain has been struck with nature whereby these gifts, together with their commanding views, have been bestowed on the monis in return for their blending so unobtrusively into a landscape of great natural beauty.

And so it is with Zoodochou Pigis. The views from there are regarded by some as the finest on the island. We reach it via an old trail.

Only in the isolation of the final section, when there is the sound of goat bells around, do you feel a sense of history.

Then you can almost imagine that you are leading a donkey train taking provisions up to the monastery. This walk also visits Ag. Zoni, another monastery, overlooking the cultivated plain of Vlamari.

You need take only one step into the green interior to feel the solitude and tranquility, and your voice falls to a whisper.

Chora (Hora) – Mili – Ireon 11 (Heraion) – Pythagorion (Walk 12)

Chora, once the capital of the island, overlooks a cultivated plain where olives and oranges have flourished since ancient times.

This is a great walk in spring, when orange blossom perfumes the air. Once at sleepy Ireon, culture vultures can step back in time some 2500 years by visiting the Temple of Hera, one of the wonders of the ancient world.

A sacred way connected the temple with Pythagorion, where remains of this earlier capital are constantly being uncovered.

If you like your history more natural, the region near Mili is one of the finest on the island for massed displays of flowers. Never before have we seen such huge colonies of the Serapias, or tongue orchids, and there are other goodies besides.

Circuit from Karlovassi (Walk 18)

The route follows Karlovassi – Paleo Karlovassi – 19 Kosmadeo – (Mikro Seitani) – Potami 19 – Karlovassi

There is such a fine selection of paths, tracks and trails in this corner of the island that we spent ages finding out where they all led to.

Some of the trails, like the one leading towards Kosmadeo, which we use in this walk, are so well built that their construction must have been a task of Herculean proportions.

By necessity, these vital communication links had a simple directness, and there was certainly no effort wasted in circumventing steep inclines as you’ll find out for yourselves.

Having mapped out all these old routes, we had a lot of fun putting them together into interesting walks.

Once back at sea level, you might just notice the rosemary, a herb sacred to love, friendship and remembrance. It grows in many places, but is always regarded as at its best and most fragrant when growing in dry sandy soil and in the salty atmosphere of the seashore. For this reason it was given the beautiful name ‘dew of the sea’, Rosmarinus in Latin.

Kosmadeo – Kakoperito – Kosmadeo (Walk 22)

The stark limestone peaks high on the Kerkis range offer spectacular scenery unrivalled anywhere on Samos. It is slow, hard work to reach this mountaintop scenery, but this high-level circuit has been designed with the motorist in mind.

It starts from Kosmadeo, at one of the highest villages on the island (600m/2000ft). Not all the effort has been taken out of the walk, but at least there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the alpine surroundings throughout.

The best time of year for walking on Samos

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are generally considered the best times for walking on Samos. During these shoulder seasons, the weather is pleasant, with warm days and cool evenings.

The crowds are smaller, and the island’s flora is in full bloom, adding a vibrant touch to your walks.

Summer (June-August) can be hot and dry, making walking challenging, especially during the midday hours. However, many trails offer shade and stunning coastal views.

Winter (November-March) can be rainy and windy, but it also brings a unique charm to the island, with fewer tourists and a chance to experience the island’s authentic rhythm.

Getting around Samos

Samos has a decent public transportation system, with buses connecting most towns and villages.

While the frequency of buses may be limited, it’s a cost-effective way to explore the island at a relaxed pace.

Renting a car provides the most flexibility and allows you to explore areas not easily accessible by public transport. However, driving on Samos can be tiring due to narrow winding roads.

Walking on Samos is an unforgettable experience. With its diverse landscapes, charming villages, and friendly locals, this Greek island offers a unique blend of adventure and tranquility. Buy our guidebook to walking on Samos.