Sithonia Hiking Trails

Apart from being known for its approximately 100 sandy beaches, some of which are declared the most beautiful beaches in Greece, the Sithonia peninsula is becoming an increasingly popular destination for nature lovers who enjoy hiking. This unique island is surrounded by the most beautiful sandy beaches, but its interior is covered with pine forests, many (unexplored) hills, and magnificent hiking trails. Now you might be getting a better impression of why Sithonia is now recognized by everyone as a preserved natural oasis, which captivates all lovers of untouched, magical nature. Once you come to this peninsula, an explorer’s spirit and love for nature are irresistibly awakened within you!

In recent years, local Greeks, supported by curious tourists, have been rapidly developing hiking tourism, so now Sithonia boasts dozens of marked hiking trails, along with an association that functions excellently in Neos Marmaras. This association regularly organizes hiking tours and outdoor activities throughout the year. You can find the Sithonia Hiking Association on their official website: https://www.sithonia-trails.gr/ or on their constantly active Facebook group: Περιπατητική Ομάδα Ν. Μαρμαρά

Περιπατητική Ομάδα Ν. Μαρμαρά (The Hiking Team of Neos Marmaras) was formed as a group of mountain hiking enthusiasts and evolved into a dynamic team to promote trails and create a network of paths in the broader area of Sithonia, as well as promote hiking tourism.

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Which hiking trails to choose in Sithonia?

All the trails are of moderate difficulty, either paths or dirt roads, and the biggest altitude difference is 730 m. Pine forests in combination with shrubby vegetation of arbutus, oleaginous, spruce, heather, aspalathus, etc. awake the senses with color and aroma. Streams with small waterfalls, big boulders – like sculptures made of stone – and remnants of Mount Athos heritage (Metochia and Watermills) are equal in beauty with the panoramic view of Toroneos and Siggitiko Gulf.

The M paths are all clear and marked. You will find here suggested trails combining the paths M1 to M15.

Μ1: Tripotamos – Themeli – Anigmata – Tripotamos (8,4km)
Μ2: Anigmata – Skiathas – Balemonas – Parthenon (10km)
Μ3: Tripotamos – Likamboliana – StAthanasios – Parthenon (6km)
Μ4: Paradisos – Demenitia – Kapsala – Parthenon (5,5km)
Μ5: Metochi Grigoriou – Mana Nerou – Parthenon (5,9km)
Μ6: Masoutis – Giona – Kamini – Parthenon (6,8km)
Μ7: Giona – Mylos (0,7km)
Μ8: Masoutis – Giona – Tourles (5,9km)
Μ9: Parthenon – Kostas (4,2km)
Μ10: Masoutis – Mylos – Tourles (4,1km)
Μ11: Masoutis – Mylos – Bakola (4km)
Μ12: Masoutis – Petrara – tamos (11,4km)
Μ13: Masoutis – Bakola – Paliometochoudi – Tourles (7,1km)
Μ14: Fidoklissia – Paliomylos – Tsouga (5,7km)
Μ15: Petrara – Kostas (5,8km)

Route 1: Mylos Trail

Route length: 4 km
Path: M11

If you aim to take a short and amazing path (4km), you are going to take the M11-Mylos Trail. It starts from Masoutis and ends in Zoodochou Pigi, you enter the path Mylos Trail, cross the Mylos Stream twice, and reach the Watermill of Konistis, an old mill that operated until approximately 1960.

You continue walking sometimes walking along the groove of the watermill you cross the stream again and go toward Bacola. This path still does not cross the road and continues to be in line with the stream. The perspective of the Barrel and the small waterfalls that come out in the Stream is breathtaking. You walk past the old cheese laboratory of Karras and go through “Katarraktes”.

Return either on the same route or via the rural dirt road.

Route 2: Tripotamos – Themeli – Anigmata – Tripotamos

Circular route
Route length: 8.4 km | Time: 2 hours
Path: M1

The route starts from the remains of the monastery Metochi Konstamonitou (founded in 1430). It is a path of moderate difficulty up to the river. Then the path moves about 700m next to the riverbed, parallel to the stream of Mandrinia. Then follows a climb of one kilometer to Anigmata past the paved threshing floor (Stromeno Aloni), the largest well-preserved threshing floor in the area. The threshing floor is a circular flat area used for separating cereals (wheat, barley, etc.). The threshing floors were built in open places, hills or ravines, in places where strong wind blows and helps in the threshing.

This tour can be combined into a long circular route with the M2 and M3 paths.

Route 3: Metochi I.M. Grigoriou – Mana Nero – Parthenonas – Kamini – Mylos – Masoutis

Circular route
Route length: 10.7 km | Time: 3 hours
Paths: M5: Metochi Grigoriou-Mana Nero-Parthenonas (4.9 km) and M6-M7-M10: Parthenonas-Kamini-Mylos-Masoutis (5.8 km)

The M5 starts from the Metochi Grigoriou which was founded in 1429 and heads to Mana Nero. The path is a bit difficult in the beginning, then mild, next to the Mana Nero stream and the old reservoir that supplied water to Neos Marmaras until 1950. Along the path, we can see the metal water pipes that were uncovered after the path was cleared. Then comes an uphill section to the Parthenonas, a traditional listed settlement with stone houses.

Returning from the M6, we reach Kamini and the amazing view, we go out to Gionas and take the M7 and then the M10 in the direction of the Konistis Mill – an old ruined watermill that was in use until about 1960 – then we cross the Mill Stream and reach our destination at Masoutis supermarket.

Route 4: Masoutis – Tourles – Paliometochoudi – Mylos – Masoutis

Circular route
Route length: 10.7 km | Time: 4 hours
Paths M10: Masoutis-Tourles (4 km) and M13-M11: Tourles- Paliometochoudi-Masoutis (6.6km)

Start at the Masoutis supermarket, on the national road Neos Marmaras – Nikiti. Follow the path in the direction of Zoodochos Pigi and Mylos Konistis. Just before the Mill, take the uphill path (M10) to the left and follow the direction signs to Tourles.

Tourles are three large rocks that were named after their shape. The Tourla boulder in the middle has a rope to help us climb up and enjoy the panoramic view of the sea and the Toroneos Gulf, or go further to climb the hill called “Panorama (view)” from where we also have a panoramic view. The surrounding area resembles a park with sculptures made of stone, admirable creations of erosion. On the way there are other paths leading to the Parthenonas, the M7, and further up, the M8, both to Giona and then to the Parthenonas, following the M6 path.

Return from M13 to Paliometochoudi and follow the path M11 to “Waterfalls”. Return to the main path and pass by the old dairy of Karras to continue parallel to the Stream of the Mill, just below Vareli. The view to Vareli and the “Small Waterfalls” in the stream is amazing. The route ends at our starting point, the Masoutis supermarket.

Route 5: Masoutis – Mill – Fidokklisia – Paliomylos – Tsouga (route back and forth)

Route length (one way): 7 km + 4 km roundtrip | Time (one way): 2 hours
Paths: M14: Masoutis – Mylos – Paliomylos (7 km) and the possibility of a round trip to Paliomylos- Tsouga – Paliomylos (4km)

The starting point is the Masoutis supermarket, and then it crosses the stream of Mylos. In Paliomylos, there is the option to cross the stream of Stravolakas, in the place of Pigadi, to the opposite bank and walk a beautiful circular route around the hill of Tsouga – there are signs – and go out again to the waterfalls. This cycle is about 4 km.

There can be a circular variation of the route with the combination of paths M13 and M10 and return to Masoutis. Alternatively one can reach Parthenonas following the paths Μ13-Μ8-Μ6 or Itamos with path M12, or Kostas following the paths Μ12-Μ15.

Route 6: Masoutis – Mylos – Fidokklisia – Petrara – Itamos

The starting point and destination do not coincide
Route length: 11.4 km | Time: 4 hours
Path: M12

The route follows the Path of the Mill and continues to Kyparissi (Fidokklisia) and Petrara. From Petrara the dirt road continues to Itamos and Kosta Peak (M15).

There is a circular variation of the route leading to Parthenonas following the M15 and M9; then we can reach Masoutis following the M6 or Metochi Gregory following the M5 path.

Route 7: Parthenonas – Kosta Peak – Kamini – Parthenonas

Circular route
Route length: 8.4 km | Time: 2.5 hours
Path: M9 Parthenonas -Kosta peak (4.20 km) and M16 Kosta – Kaminia – Parthenonas

Departure from the square of the traditional settlement of Parthenonas following the path M9 to the peak of Kostas with an altitude of 733m. where according to historical sources there was an ancient sanctuary of Zeus. Return in the direction of Kamini following the M16 path and reach the village of Parthenonas.