View of Oia from the trail
The Greek Islands are made for walking. So don’t forget to pack your hiking shoes when visiting Greece! You never know if you’ll blissfully lose yourself amongst the narrow cobblestone streets of Oia or set out on an early morning hike along the scenic 6 mile pedestrian trail which connects the Greek towns of Fira and Oia. Either way, those feet are going to need some comfortable broken-in shoes to handle the rocky, pebble-strewn pathways of Greece’s most picturesque island – Santorini.
Santorini Island. Image credit: Google Maps
Oia is the westernmost town of the reverse-C shaped caldera that defines Santorini. Fira is roughly midway across the island, and 6 miles (one way) from Oia. Hiking the picturesque trail between Oia and Fira is one of the must-do things when visiting Santorini. With breathtaking views and stunning vistas at every turn, the trail is guaranteed to be one of the prettiest you’ve ever hiked.
Climbing past a chapel, up the trail from Oia
The weather is warm and sunny even in spring and cloudless skies mean direct sunlight with almost no shade. Most of the trail is exposed, so it’s best to tackle the hike in the early morning or late afternoon. You can hike the pedestrian-only footpath in either direction depending on when you start. If starting in the late afternoon, try hiking Fira to Oia so that you can catch the glorious sunset as you near Oia. The unforgettable finale of your hike will be seeing the legendary Santorini sunset from Oia at the westernmost point, overlooking the Aegean sea. If starting in the early morning, any direction is fine. The views along the trail are stunning no matter where you look.
Oia in the distance, sandwiched between the Aegean sea
We started our hike in Oia. The views when heading out on the trail are magnificent. Oia’s jumble of whitewashed cube houses are neatly sandwiched on both sides by the cerulean blues of the Aegean sea. With the salty tang of ocean in the air and a cool breeze, being outdoors in the warm sunshine epitomizes the relaxed pace of life in the Mediterranean.
Buttercup yellow and white flowers along the trail
Spring also brings a sea of color to the landscape with bright yellow sunflowers, dazzling daisies and dashes of green everywhere. You might even see and hear a flock of sheep grazing or donkeys taking a break from their dizzying climb up and down narrow stone stairs. The donkeys are famously known for ferrying passengers near the old port of Fira.
360-degree views of dreamy Greek islands on the horizon
Be warned that the trail climbs steadily for the most part in the beginning out of Oia. Since you’re hiking on the spine of the volcano caldera, there are mainly ups and downs and not much flat ground. Be prepared to hike for 2-3 hours one way, more if you tend to stop often to admire the vistas and take photos.
Good hiking shoes are a must!
Carry plenty of water as the sun will be beating down relentlessly. Wear sunscreen and make sure to take a good sunhat and sunglasses. The trail parallels the winding road for a while but you won’t see the road even though you might hear the roar of distant traffic now and then.
What wonderful view awaits us around the corner?
Pretty chapels are a mainstay in Greece, especially on the island of Santorini with its hundreds of blue-domed churches. You will pass several chapels along the trail. You will also come across the town of Imerovigli, which is the highest town along the caldera’s edge. Imerovigli is also known for its famous sunsets and is a great town to explore. Continuing along the trail, you will eventually reach Fira, where you can wander among endless narrow alleys lined with jewelry stores and countless souvlaki cafes.
The ocean view on the other side of the trail (opposite the caldera view)
Hiking Fira to Oia (or the other way around) is a great introduction to the beautiful island of Santorini. This trail is a must-do for hikers and nature lovers who want to get their feet moving on the island. With vast 360-degree views of the blue Aegean and misty Greek islands on the horizon, this trail will surely get added to your list of favorite hikes to do in Greece!
Happy Hiking!
~ Trupti