Skiathos Holiday Walks - Photos - Touring.

Several walks you might like to try whilst on Holiday on The Greek Island of Sciathos plus visiting Monasteries and Churches on the Island.

The Greek Island of Sciathos does have quite a few walking possibilities which might be of interest whilst on holiday although there are not a lot of paths available so the walking has to be mostly on dirt tracks. With perhaps the best beaches on Skiathos being located on the north undeveloped coast there are several short and medium distance walks described on our site which show how to use the excellent bus service and then walk across Sciathos on forest tracks to reach them. There are also walks out into the mountains visiting other beaches, churches and monasteries - these are mostly circulars and vary from 12 to 20km long. Walking on the Greek Island of Skiathos can be quite tough especially when you get into June, July and August due to the high temperatures - 40 to 45+ degrees being quite possible. Please note that our walks are often described from a starting point of Troulos since this is where we were staying - whenever buses or taxis were used to get to the actual start of the walk we do mention bus stop numbers etc.
Skiathos Maps. We used the Topo 25 (Anavasi) - this map is quite accurate according to our GPS however some of the paths shown around Mandraki are not quite correct. Also and importantly the bus stops around Koukounaries are incorrectly numbered - Bus Stop 23 is the Mandraki Bus Stop and then Bus Stop 23 has become 24 and therefore 24 is now 25 and the bus terminates at bus stop 26.

There are several ways to walk across the Island to Mandraki and nearbye Beaches and 2 longer walks.
Koukonaries to Mandraki - Bus stop 23/24 - almost flat walk across the island on a sandy wide path.
Koukonaries to Elias Bay - Bus stop 23 - almost flat walk across the island on a sandy wide track.
Panaghia Kounistra Moni - 18km circular walk from outside Troulos to the monastery - then coastal track then back across the island to Troulos. Steep climbs.
Troulos - Meghalos Aselinos + Elias Bay - Troulos - A 14km walk across the island on dirt tracks to several unspoilt beaches. Some fairly easy climbs. Circular.
Troulos - Koukounaries - Mandraki - 16km walk - Troulos to Koukounaries on a lovely wooded track then coastal track via Krifi Amos to Mandraki.
Skiathos Town to Panaghia Kechrea Moni A one way 14km walk from outskirts of Skiathos Town via Profitis Ilias to Panaghia Kechrea Monastery and Bay then on to Kolios. Hard initial climb.
Moni Evagelistria to Bus Stop 2. A 13km circuit from Moni Evagelistria visiting Moni Charalambos then back across the island to Bus Stop 2. Steep initial climb.

 

Koukonaries to Mandraki Beach.Route 1 - starts from bus stop 23 (known as Mandraki Bus Stop) and is around 1.5km on flat sandy track. The bus stop is by some tavernas and a hotel - take the tarmac road heading inland going past some holiday accommodation - the tarmac soon ends and the surface becomes a sandy track. (Perhaps note that walking on this surface is sometimes quite difficult as the sand is deep in places - flip flops are not ideal). Just keep straight ahead then around 50 metres after a track leaves on the right look for a sandy path on the left. Simply follow this path going which mainly goes through pine trees (and is therefore quite shady) to arrive at a main track. The path continues on the other side of the track, go left at a path junction - the path soon arrives at the Mandraki Beach track - go right and walk on down to the beach.

Koukonaries to Mandraki Beach. Route 2. This starts from Bus Stop 24 by the Koukonaries supermarket. Head inland on a surfaced track - this winds round to the right passing holiday accommodation then soon bears left and continues as a wide sandy track via the pine trees. Stay on this sandy track until you arrive at a quite open area and a gate, go slightly right and then left again soon passing a taverna and then arriving at the dirt coastal road. The track opposite is clearly marked to Mandraki Beach - though watch out for cars and jeeps thinking they are on safari... There is a taverna on this beach plus you can hire sunbeds and umbrellas.

Koukonaries to Elias Bay. This is around 1.5km and again quite flat. Start from Bus Stop 23. Take the tarmac road going inland which soon changes to a sandy track - this time just stay on the track going through pine trees and eventually ending up at the main coastal dirt road. Go straight across and walk on down to the beach at Elias Bay - again this beach has a taverna and umbrellas and beach chairs.
(from the above 3 descriptions you can see it is easy to get to these beaches and by using the dirt coastal road quite straight forward to perhaps walk over to one of the beaches on one route and enjoy a walk back a different way.

 

These following much longer walks visit several of Sciathos's beaches and there is a hill walk via Panaghia Kounistra Monastery.

Troulos - Meghalos Aselinos and Elias Bay - Troulos. A 14km circular walk across Skiathos on dirt tracks to visit several unspoilt and quite wild beaches - there are just a few fairly easy climbs.
Take the main island coastal road from Troulos Beach bus stop 20 heading uphill towards Koukounaries - at the top of the hill (just after bus stop 21) take a concrete track on the right by a large cream-coloured utility building. The track climbs steeply and quickly bends right - it soon levels out somewhat and you get excellent views of Troulos Beach and the surrounding hills. Follow the now dirt track as it undulates between pine trees to reach a major track junction. Keep straight ahead - the track climbs a little as it heads towards and then passes a large goat station on the left. At the next track junction take the right fork and follow this round the hills for another 1.3kms. This then arrives at a t-junction - go right and follow this winding fairly rough track down to a small metal road. Go left and walk along to reach Meghalos Aselinos Beach - there is a taverna here plus a cafe and also beach chairs and umbrellas are available.
To continue the walk - go back along the road and turn right back up the inbound track as far as the earlier t-junction - curiously it initially looks like a really hard climb but did seem to be quite easy in fact. At the juncton take a small path on the right which heads down through pine trees and then reaches a clearing with a ruined building in the middle. The path is quite indistinct here - you need to cross the clearing but staying to the left edge as much as possible - look for where the ground dips very steeply - here the path becomes obvious again.

Now follow this very nice enclosed path as it goes down to reach Agistros Beach - a small taverna exists here. Cross the beach and take the steps on the far side then at the top go straight on to shortly walk down on a narrow rocky path to reach the long sweep of Elias Bay and Beach - a taverna as well as beachchair/umbrella hire are available on this beach.
From here go back up the rocky path then at the top turn right and take the outbound track- this climbs to a track junction. Go left and slowly climb some more for a while to reach a track fork- take the right fork - the track now winds round the hills with lovely views of the island including the lake at Koukounaries.
About 1.5km along reach another track junction - turn right to re-join the original outward track - soon pass the goat station and then continue on back to the main coastal road.

 

Troulos - Koukounaries - Mandraki. Troulos to Koukounaries Beach on a lovely wooded track then via the coastal track via Krifi Amos to Mandraki. About 16km.
Starting from bus stop 20 at Troulos Bay walk uphill on the coastal road towards Koukounaries - just after bus stop 21 take a concrete track on the right next to a large cream coloured municipal building. The track climbs for a while then undulates to reach a main 4-way track junction. Go sharp left and start descending - the views are really good. This track flattens a bit more after a while and becomes quite shaded as it goes through lovely pine trees. Eventually the track comes out at the main coastal road. Turn right down hill and after about 400 metres take a small road on the left which leads to the harbour and beach.

The easiest and nicest way to walk (rather than walk the beach itself) is to take the narrow sandy track which goes along between the beach and the lake. At the far end of Koukounaries beach you come out by the bus terminal - go right along the main road soon passing the nice little church of Aghia Eleni. Shortly after the church take a tarmac road on the left - this goes uphill then just past the top of the hill take the dirt coastal road on the right which is signed to Krifi Amos. Follow the dirt road round as it more or less hugs the coast - eventually passing Krifi Amos Beach (there is a good path down to the beach and a taverna available). Stay on the road to eventually reach a sign pointing to Mandraki Beach. This is a really nice beach which is set in under small cliffs - there is a taverna here plus you can hire beach chairs/umbrellas or of course go to either end if you fancy some nude sunbathing and swimming.

Return back to the main coastal dirt road - turn left - keep straight across at the first track junction and then at the next junction turn right to climb up a little to a track fork. Go left here and follow this wooded track for around 1km to reach another track junction. Go right and stay on this main track - ignoring any left and right joining tracks - continuing all the way back across the island to eventually arrive back at the main coastal road near Troulos Bay.

 

Panaghia Kounistra Moni  This is an 18km circular walk starting from outside Troulos to the monastery - then some coastal track meandering before walking back across Skiathos to Troulos.
There are some steep climbs on this walk which soon become quite wearing when/if the weather is particularly hot - in fact on the first part of this walk you start at sea level and never really stop climbing until you reach around 300 metres.

From the main road junction at Troulos (bus stop 18) walk uphill towards Skiathos Town - around 300 metres from the junction take a track on the left which hooks back off the main road - this track winds very steeply up. The track climbs across a ridge - ignore a track on the right - just stay on the main track to reach a t-junction. Here turn right and continue climbing up this track going right into the hills - eventually the track drops down a little to another track junction - it's great losing height after all the effort..
Go left and then enjoy a really steep climb up - you however soon reach another track junction - you need to take the middle track (however the small rough track on the right goes up to the fireman's lookout post - this small diversion is worth doing just for the views and of course you can have a chat with the on-duty fireman too).

Continuing on the walk - pass a shrine on the right and then arrive at what appears to be a huge plastic sheet covered area and varous conrete buildings on the left (not sure what this is for but seems to be some sort of re-cycling set-up...??). Carry on along the track trying to ignore this mess and then arrive at some steps on the right - takes these to walk onto a metal road where you go right to shortly arrive at Panaghia Kounistra Monastery. Take the steps up to the courtyard of this small but very interesting monastery - there is a covered seating area under the trees but there is no refreshments available that we could see - just a tap with spring water (there was no sign to say it was drinkable).

Back on the tarmac road turn right - this soon reverts to dirt track - follow it along now getting close to the coast. You get some good views of Meghalos Aselinos beach on the left and a little further on you can walk down to Mikros Aselinos on a path - this beach has a taverna (at least in July it had..). The track now swings inland - eventyually the track descends a little and just after passing a stream and a huge plane tree the track bends sharply left. There is a marked path right on the bend which will take you up to Aghios Ioannis Krifos - this is a fairly steep climb on a rocky and sometimes stepped path but really worth while - the church is excellent.

Return back to the track and turn right - continue climbing for a while and then the track at last starts to descend and you get views of Kechrias Bay. Cross over another stream bed where there is another huge tree which has a cross on it and a track junction - the dusty track to Lighares beach leaves on the left. Just by the junction and on the right there is a path (marked by a small cairn) - takes this as it follows the steam inland - the path continually criss-crosses the stream and for a while the going is fairly reasonable underfoot. However the path eventually gets really narrow and sometimes becomes indistinct - you find you are walking through really high ferns. Simply fight your way through basically trying to stay in the same direction to eventually come out by a gate on the left. The path now becomes a grassy track and winds it's way up to reach a main dirt road - there is a fir tree in the middle of the junction. Go straight across and continue on the main track and then after about 1km you start to find houses and civilisation again. There are several tracks around here so keep ahead to reach a 4-way junction where there is a huge plane tree in the middle acting as a roundabout.
Take the road opposite (i.e. staying in the same basic direction) - the road is now tarmac and it goes on through lots of houses and holiday accommodation. It comes out on the main coastal road at the Aghia Paraskevi bus stop number 16. Turn right and follow the main road back to Troulos or get the bus or ...

 

There are four monasteries you can visit on the Greek Holiday Island of Skiathos and also has quite a few small churches scattered around the hills and towns.

Skiathos Greece - Monastery Photos

Aghios Charalambos Moni
This monstery is located in the north of Skiathos and just about reachable by dirt track but there is also a nice walk you can do instead if you wish.
The monastery has been refurbished and is in really good condition - you can look inside some of the buildings for an idea of how conditions and life used to be years ago. This monastery features a colony (well 7) hungry cats who will really pester you for some food - they are happy to eat sandwiches etc to remember to take something with you so you can feed them - perhaps several nice steaks or pork chops...


Evangelistria Moni The only fully inhabited monastery on Skiathos this is open daily - a very intgeresting monastery to look round. There are some seats in a shaded area and you can get some spring water if necessary. Taxis will take you to this monastery since there is now a tarmac/concrete road to it - also a limited (mini) bus service operates out of Skiathos Town main bus station by the harbour - we know of one bus that is meant to leave at 10:15hrs but this needs checking. From the monastery you will see a wide moni-path going up via trees - this is worth a walk since after a few minutes you will come to a lovely little church which you cannot see from the main road.



Panaghia Kechrea Moni
Located to the east of Kechria Bay this is reachable either by a nice footpath from the beach or a very rough track which you have to get too from the Kastro dirt road - we have walked this track and it probably is only suitable for 4 wheel-drive.
This abandoned 15th Century Monastery is quite small but lovely to visit - situated deep in the forests the spot is really peacefull. The monstery is in good condition having been refurbished and you can look inside one of the original living quarters buildings to see how the monks used to live years ago. There is a really cool shady area with a table where you can sit and enjoy a peaceful snack and drink (there is no drinking water available at this monastery).


Panaghia Kounistra Moni
This monastery is reachable via a tarmac road from Troulos (walking this road is quite pleasant since it is quiet and scenic as it wanders through the forest however the end part is quite steep ) or you can of course have a nice walk up to it from across the hills via various tracks.
The monstery has a nice shaded area with picnic benches and is situated in a lovely setting. There is meant to be a taverna according to some guides but the only thing available we could find was a tap offering warm but drinkable spring water.

 

Churches on Skiathos.
One thing that was perhaps a little unusual about the churches on Skiathos was that nearly all of them were open so that you could look inside. Also another feature was that many of them have a small living area which you can take a look at - these churches in some cases almost seemed to be mini-monsteries. Note these churches are not shown in any particular order but we have indicated where they are located.

 

Aghios Ioanis Krifos has a little bit of recent history - apparently during the second World War this remote and well hidden church was used for secretly teaching local Greek Island children their own native language - something the German invaders were trying to ban. The church is located south west of Mikros Aselinos Beach on the coastal track - where the dirt track bends sharp left a path goes off on the right into the hillside. This is a delightful rocky path which climbs fairly easily and Aghios Ioanis Krifos church is reached in around 6 or 7 minutes.

 

The following five photos are of Aghios Ioanis. This Skiathos church is located just south of Kastro. This is a particuarly nice area where you could easily stop for a picnic since it is well shaded and also there is drinking water available from a spring.

 

Walks to Moni Evagelistria and Moni Panaghia Kechrea on Sciathos.

Skiathos Town to Panaghia Kechrea Moni. A one way 14km walk from the outskirts of Skiathos Town via Profitis Ilias then to Panaghia Kechrea Monastery and Bay then on to Kolios. There is a hard initial climb.
From the by-pass road at Bus stop 2 a tarmac road heads inland on to the left of this there is a small concrete track going alongside - there is a lamppost at the start of this track with a small yellow "walking route" sign. The tree-lined track goes directly inland and gently rises as it goes by several small farms. When you reach a house on the left and where the concrete track rises quite steeply [N39 10 49 E23 29 11] look for and take a narrow path on the right- this really nice path meanders and climbs gently as it goes through olive groves. The path comes out in a clearer area and simply follow it to come out on the tarmac road by a house.
Turn left up the tarmac road - follow this road for around 2km - this is really hard going at times because of the steep gradients in places and not helped if the weather is hot. You eventually pass a taverna on the right and now the road really climbs up to a t-junction. Turn left and soon reach another taverna located in a tree-covered area plus the nice Profitias Ilias church is on the right. Immediately at the far right hand side of the taverna there is a narrow path which after just a few metres takes you to another church - this is Profitias Eliseos and well worth the short diversion.
Continue along the road to soon arrive at a junction - take the road below the houses to arrive at a major track and road junction. Take the second right (marked to Kastro and Kechrea Moni) and follow this really gritty/dusty and soon wide road steeply down for a while - around 700 metres from the junction take a marked (to Kechria Monastery and beach) dirt track on the left. This a very narrow, winding and pot-holed track - actually very nice to walk on as you are deep in the countryside and the hills here.
Around a kilometre from the start of the track on the left you find the really delightful small monastery of Panaghia Kechrea. You can look inside and as the monastery has been renovated you can see how the monastery was originally. There is a shaded seating area so this is a very convenient place to stop for lunch etc. but note there is no water available here.
From the monastery continue along the track - it eventually changes to a path - then descends alongside a stream where there are several abanonded ruined watermills (these are hard to see and even explore since they are located through thick scrub and somewhat below by the stream bed.)
The path eventually arrives at Kechnia Beach where there is a small taverna. From the beach you have to walk up a short but very steep track and then Ligharies Beach comes into view - continue along the track and then turn right to go down to the beach. Again there is a small taverna on the beach which sells drinks but the only food available was either salads or omelettes as they have no electricity.
Leave the beach to re-join the track and keep ahead to go inland - this is a quite dusty but very tree-lined cool track - around 1km along from the beach and at a track fork go left and follow the main track as it winds and climbs into the hills and with the valley down on the right. You stay on this main track for 3.2kms (i.e. ignore two tracks which come in from the left) then at a junction turn right - 700 metres later come to another junction which has a large tree in the middle. Go left here and continue along the soon descending track - around 1km along reach some houses on the left and then you arrive at a road junction which again has a tree (a plane tree) in the middle of it.
Go straight ahead and now walk along this tarmac road passing a supermarket, numerous houses and holiday apartments for about 1.5kms to then reach the main coastal road at bus stop 16.

 

Moni Evagelistria to Bus Stop2. This 13km circuit starts out from Moni Evagelistria then visits Moni Charalambos before heading back across the island to the main coastal road at Bus Stop 2. There is a quite steep initial climb - but it's a lovely walk and you get to see lots of interesting churches and monasterys.

This walk starts from the Monastery - we understand a small minibus makes the run up to it most days from Skiathos Town Bus Terminal - however we simply took a taxi from Troulos to get there - this only cost 15 Euros. Having looked round the monastery take a walled moni-path which leaves from the front of the monastery entrance - this heads up to an open area where there is a really nice church - Zoodhochos Pigis.

 

You may also be interested in another church which is on the other side of the clearing but not that visible from the track - we do not know it's name but it is a lovely little church. From the clearing Zoodhochos Pigis church behind you go right up a dusty track - this is quite a climb and is difficult as the surface is either quite rough or on the sometimes really steep parts is of concrete. Simply stay on this for around 2kms - eventually it does flatten out and you pass the ruins of a monastery and then arrives at Profitas Ilias church on the right and a taverna on the left (behind which is the little church of Profitis Eliseos). There are excellent views up here and also it's worth noting this is about the last proper shade available on this walk for quite some time..

Continue along the track and then turn left staying below several houses above you. You shortly come to a major track and road junction by a shrine, take the first right track which is signposted to Ag. Athanasios - this is a very rough track which initially climbs quite steeply to arrive at Aghios Athanasios church - you can go inside this church and also the living quarters to have a snoop round. Continue along the track which now just rises gently - the surrounds are really nice and this is a very pleasant area for walking. After passing two shrines you come to the church of Aghii Apostoli - you are now on top of the plateau so walking becomes much easier. Passing several farms in a very open area the track then starts to descend to a sort of track junction - one track on the left is gated and the track ahead just goes to an aerial. Go on the main track as it goes to the right and then starts to really descend - passing more farms in the process. On a very sharp bend about 1.3km along take a track on the left which heads on down to the lovely monastery of Aghios Charalambos. The monastery has been really well renovated so you can look round and see how things used to be when it was occupied. The only occupants are several cats and their kittens - these moggies will be extremely interested in sharing any food you have with you - also if their water dish is empty please re-fill it for them.
Return back on the track to the bend and now go left on a now quite rubbly track - this soon really starts to descend and the surface is quite poor in places. At a bend and track fork [N39 11 71 E23 28 93] go right - this is marked with a yellow walking sign. The track is very narrow and soon climbs quite steeply into the hill - you already get some nice views of Evagelistria Monastery tucked in the hillside ahead. The track arrives at a house which is slightly below on the left - the path is marked and goes down passing the house and then goes through olive trees. This now becomes a proper moni-path and is a real find on Skiathos - the path winds round the side of the hills before starting to climb to arrive at a large plane tree, springs and the outside walls of Moni Evagelistria. Climb up the worn steps in front of you and walk on round to the monastery car park and entrance. Note the only drinks available at the monastery is spring water out of an old tap. From the monastery take the wide path which leaves by the gates and head on up to the clearing by Zoodhochos Pigis church - this time bear left to pick up the main road which heads towards Skiathos Town.
Follow this road down as it passes Taxiarches church where there is a nice spring and then around. 5km from the church on a sharp bend find on the right a path marked to Skiathos and Stamelos Springs. This nice path goes through shrubbery and passed the Springs before arriving at a road - turn left and follow this road down towards Skiathos - you can either follow the road all the way down however -much nicer- when you come to a house on the left find opposite this is a marked footpath which goes down through olive trees to eventually join a small road by a house. Turn left and follow the road back to the by-pass road and bus stop 2.

Please see our Skiathos Home Page for lots more items on this excellent Greek Holiday Island.

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