National Parks & Nature Reserves

Greece has 12 national parks and numerous nature reserves. The infrastructure for hikers is modest (compared to Alpine countries) — marked trails, but few huts. However, you often have nature all to yourself.

The Most Important Parks

• Olympus National Park: The mountain of the gods (2,917 m). Climbable in 2 days from Litochoro — overnight at the Spilios Agapitos hut (2,100 m), then to the Mytikas summit. Challenging but unforgettable. The summit zone is alpine with spectacular gorges.
• Samaria Gorge (Crete): The longest gorge in Europe (16 km hike). Accessible from May to October. Start at 1,250 m, end at the sea in Agia Roumeli. Strenuous (5-7 hours downhill!), but the scenery is breathtaking. Start early to avoid the crowds.
• Vikos Gorge & Zagori (Epirus): The (according to Guinness) deepest gorge in the world (relative to width). The Zagori area with its 46 stone villages (Zagorochoria) and old stone bridges is one of Greece's best-kept secrets — hiking, rafting, whitewater, and hardly any tourists.
• Prespa Lakes (Northern Greece): Two lakes at the border with Albania and North Macedonia — home to rare pelicans (Dalmatian pelican!), 1,500 plant species, and ancient Byzantine hermitages in rock caves.
• National Marine Park of Zakynthos: A sanctuary for Caretta-Caretta sea turtles in the Bay of Laganas. Strict beach protection during the nesting season (May-October).
• Pindos National Park (Valia Kalda): "Warm Valley" — the only place in Greece where brown bears still live (about 450 animals). Dense black pine forests, almost no tourist infrastructure, true wilderness.