Overview
Spend ten days exploring Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades, walking the 52km coast-to-coast hiking trail, otherwise known as Naxos Strada. Staying in various traditional guesthouses and hotels, with your luggage transferred for you, enjoy the freedom of walking this magnificent island, starting off in a relaxed way by spending three nights in Naxos town or Chora, close to the port. As well as enjoying the contrasting landscapes of coast and mountainous hinterland, ancient sites and traditional villages, you trek to the summit of Mount Zas (1,004m), the highest in the archipelago.
In addition to the Naxos Strada, we have also added some more interesting walks into this package so as not to miss any of this great island.
Highlights
- Ancient Kouros of Apollonas statue
- Temple of Demeter
- Trek to the summit of Mount Zas
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Naxos | 4.9km
After you arrive at Naxos, you are transferred to your first accommodation in Chora, otherwise known as Naxos town. Depending on your time of arrival, walk to Chrisostomos monastery starting from the port, followed by a visit to Agios Ioannis.
- Walking for the day: 4.9km, 1h 45mins ↑190m ↓190m
- Accommodation: Anixis Hotel or similar in Chora
Day 2: Walk to the Demeter Temple | 12.5km
Today you explore the south of the island. You are taken by taxi to the bus stop at Damalas, south of Chalki. From the bus stop, descend on trails via the village of Sagri to Demeter Temple. From the Temple, walk up towards Chalki. The detour to the abandoned Kaloritsa cave monastery is highly recommended and well worth the climb. Walk back to the bus stop via Bazeos Tower, and similar to the beginning of the day, you are met here and transferred back to Chora.
- Walking for the day: 12.5km, 4h 15mins ↑405m ↓405m
- Accommodation: Anixis Hotel or similar in Chora
Day 3: Walk from Plaka via Vivlos to Chalki | 14.8km
Today you take on the first stretch of the Naxos Strada Trail. Following a taxi transfer to Plaka, walk along a beach road then inland through reed marshes, with a view of the rock formations at Paleopyrgos. From the river bed, ascend on an ancient path to Agios Nikolaos rock church and a plateau. Follow a dirt track past various churches to the village of Vivlos, with some old windmills as landmarks. Keep walking up from Vivlos via dirt roads and paths to a tarmac road at Mandilaras Village. From here you head down past Agios Mamas church, dating back to the 11th century, into a river valley before climbing to Kato and Mesi Potamia villages. You then continue to Apano Kastro (Upper Castle), the highest point of today. The final descent through Tsikalario to the lively village of Chalki. In Chalki it’s well worth visiting Kitron distillery, a local liqueur. Apart from the trail through the reed beds, today’s walk is largely through open terrain with only occasional shade. In Chalki you are met and transferred back to Chora.
- Walking for the day: 14.8km, 5h ↑550m ↓280m
- Accommodation: Anixis Hotel or similar in Chora
Day 4: Walk Chalki – Apiranthos – Filoti | 13km
Transfer to Chalki where there are various taverns and cafés on the village square before walking out of the village past Agia Marina chapel. You then descend through a shaded river valley to Danakos, a somewhat sleepy village. Ascend to Fotodotis monastery, which from a distance looks like a fortress. Climb a bit further to gain a beautiful view over the fields and back towards the monastery. The last stretch to Apiranthos is on a zigzag path with some shady parts. You are met in Apiranthos village and transferred back to Filoti where you spend the next two nights.
- Walking for the day: 13km, 5h ↑785m ↓460m
- Accommodation: Giannakis Filoxenia Rooms or similar in Filoti
Day 5: Circular walk around Filoti and summit Mount Zas | 9.4km
Today starts with a walk to Agia Marina chapel before an ascent to the summit of Mount Zas (1,004m). The walk is not too difficult, though it can be hot as there’s not much shade. You are rewarded with panoramic views of Naxos and the surrounding islands. Descend on the west slope passing Zas cave and Aria well. Then walk back to Filoti and enjoy a well earned cool drink in the village square.
- Walking for the day: 9.4km, 4h 10mins ↑645m ↓645m
- Accommodation: Giannakis Filoxenia Rooms or similar in Filoti
Day 6: Walk Apiranthos – Moni – Koronos | 13.9km
You are transferred to Apiranthos, where you walk out of the village and soon climbing a little to gain with fantastic views of Apiranthos, its windmills and the sea. You reach Fanari plateau with views inland towards Moni and Sifones. A descent brings you to Moni village Then ascend again to a church before descending again past the farming hamlet of Kadi. Along the way, you have beautiful views over the mountainous inland island terrain. This is the longest walk of this walking holiday on Naxos.
- Walking for the day: 13.9km, 5h 40mins ↑795m ↓870m
- Accommodation: Matina Traditional Houses or similar in Koronos
Day 7: Walk Koronos – Lionas | 7.1km
Today is a gentle walk with plenty of downhill trails. From Koronos walk through a shady gorge to the coastal village of Lionas, following a marble path built by local people. Lionas beach each is ideal for those who don’t like crowds and love traditional taverna food. You are then picked up and taken back to your accommodation in Koronos.
- Walking for the day: 7.1km, 2h 30mins ↑125m ↓645m
- Accommodation: Matina Traditional Houses or similar in Koronos
Day 8: Walk Koronos – Komiaki – Apollonas | 12.9km
From Koronos you descend and then quickly ascend through the valley to Skado. From Skado, walk on a tarmac section of road with great seascape views. After a while, the path narrows and you start to climb. This altitude attracts more annual rainfall than at sea level so it’s a very lush area. Then descend to the watermill valley, a shaded route with many streams and you can visit the ruins of some mills. The route continues towards Komiaki village with its mysterious ravines. Continue through the village until you reach the Mycenaean tomb. Start to descend again to Apollonas, first flat, then steeply descending. The landscape here is rugged and barren, with an almost constant sea view. In Apollonas, walk to the harbour where you will find your hotel for the night.
- Walking for the day: 12.9km, 4h 45mins ↑415m ↓930m
- Accommodation: Adonis Hotel or similar in Apollonas
Day 9: Circular walk to Kouros of Apollonas | 1.6km
This is a short walk and well worth it. Walk up through the village of Apollonas, crossing the asphalt road then along an irrigation channel lined with flowers. Head up for a short way along an ancient mule path to Kouros of Apollonas. The Kouros is a 10.7m tall unfinished statue of a young man, made of Naxian marble, dating back to the Archaic period of Ancient Greece, around the turn of the seventh and sixth centuries BC. You can also walk up to a place where classical writing tablets have been found. Then head back down again back to enjoy some time at the seaside village of Apollonas.
- Walking for the day: 1.6km, 40mins ↑80m ↓80m
- Accommodation: Adonis Hotel or similar in Apollonas
Day 10: Departure
After breakfast, your walking holiday comes to an end and you are transferred to the port or airport.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in 2/3-star hotels or traditional houses, in double or twin private en-suite rooms. All rooms have private facilities and almost always a balcony or terrace. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Anixis Hotel (Chora)
- Giannakis Filoxenia Rooms (Filoti)
- Matina Traditional Houses (Koronos)
- Adonis Hotel (Apollonas)
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfasts are included on all days. In Filoti breakfast is provided at 44 Miles restaurant. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. You can have dinner at your hotel or nearby restaurants and taverns.
Difficulty and terrain
Some of the paths take up to 5-6h of walking and have some steep sections. The walks are mostly on footpaths and cobbled paths (kalderimi). This holiday is appropriate for experienced walkers and requires a good level of fitness in order to enjoy the walking sections to the maximum (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
The best time to travel to the Greek islands is April-June and September-October. Our recommended periods are spring (when nature is at its best) or early autumn (when the seawater temperature is still enjoyable). Naxos’ climate is typically Mediterranean, with mild and rainy winters, warm and sunny summers. The bulk of the rain falls from October to March and, in summer it rarely rains. In the warm season, starting from May, the Cyclades are particularly affected by the Meltemi, a wind that blows from the north, persistently and in periods lasting a few days. This wind can make the air feel cooler than it is and make the sea rough. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
click to view travel options
Our recommended airport for this tour is Santorini (JTR).
- You can fly to Santorini, Mykonos or Athens and then take a ferry to Naxos. Naxos has an airport, but there are no charter flights to Naxos. You can fly to Naxos only via Athens.
- A transfer from Naxos port to the hotel in Chora will be included with the tour package.
Inclusions
Included
- 9 nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis in quality hotels and traditional houses
- The round-trip transfers on Naxos as listed in the itinerary
- Luggage transfers between accommodations
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure and no printed documents are mailed or provided on-site.
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Transport from/to the walks on Naxos (public transport or taxi)
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have their own room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights
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