Most people come to Skiathos for the beaches. They fly in, find their sunbed, and spend a week working through a rotation of golden sand and turquoise water. Nothing wrong with that.
But there is another Skiathos that most visitors never see -- one connected by over 200 kilometres of marked trails that wind through pine forest, past Byzantine monasteries, along creek beds lined with abandoned watermills, and down to beaches you cannot reach any other way. Roughly 60% of the island is covered in pine forest -- the highest proportion of any Greek island -- designated as an Aesthetic Forest since 1977. This is not the barren, rocky landscape most people picture when they think of Greek islands.
Skiathos hosted the 8th World Trails Conference in 2022 for a reason. The island punches well above its weight as a hiking destination.
The Trail Network: 14 Routes from Town to Wilderness
The Skiathos Trails network consists of 14 main routes (numbered ST1 through ST14, plus ST15 and several branch variations), developed in partnership with the Paths of Greece NGO. Routes are colour-coded and marked with arrows, information boards, and QR codes at points of cultural interest.
For an island measuring just 12km by 6km, the density of trails is remarkable. You can download the free Skiathos Trails mobile app for GPS-enabled navigation, or pick up a proper topographic map -- Anavasi's 1:25,000 edition or Terrain's 1:20,000 edition both cover the network well.
Here is what to know about the standout routes.
Best Skiathos Hiking Trails by Difficulty
Easy: Where to Start
ST5 "Roads of the Monastery" -- 8.8 km, 311m elevation gain. This is the most popular trail for good reason. It connects Skiathos Town to Evangelistria Monastery, built between 1794 and 1806 by Kollyvades monks from Mount Athos. The monastery sits at about 200 metres altitude, surrounded by dense pine forest, and is where the first Greek flag was reportedly woven during the War of Independence. The trail is well-shaded and manageable for most fitness levels.
ST13 "Mountain and Sea" -- 7.7 km, 302m elevation. Connects two beaches through pine forest. This is the quintessential Skiathos trail -- you walk through the trees and emerge at the water. Pack a swimsuit.
ST14 "Forest and Sea" -- 6.3 km, 140m elevation. The easiest of the coastal routes, threading through pine forest to the northwestern beaches. Minimal elevation change, maximum shade.
ST15 "Freshwater and Seawater" -- 2.5 km, just 8m elevation. A flat, short walk through the Strofilia wetland near Koukounaries. This is a NATURA 2000 site and excellent for birdwatching -- migratory herons, flamingos, and other species pass through seasonally. Good for families or anyone wanting a gentle nature walk.
Moderate: The Heart of the Island
ST6 "Roads of Kastro" -- 12.8 km, 652m elevation gain. This is the trail that earns Skiathos its hiking credentials. It runs from Evangelistria Monastery to Kastro, the 14th-century fortified settlement perched dramatically on the island's northeast tip. Kastro was enlarged during Venetian occupation and served as the island's capital for centuries. The beach below is only reachable on foot or by boat -- which means you will likely have it largely to yourself.
ST9 "Following the Water" -- 8.3 to 12.8 km depending on the route variation, 267 to 525m elevation. This trail follows the Kechria creek past the Kechria Monastery, historic watermills, and old olive oil presses. It passes through the designated Aesthetic Forest and Wildlife Refuge. This is the trail that starts closest to our villas -- more on that below.
Challenging: For Experienced Hikers
ST7 "Walking on the Peaks" -- Ridge-top route with panoramic views extending to the Pelion peninsula, Skopelos, and Alonissos. On a clear day, the vistas justify the effort.
ST10 "Water and Air" -- The most demanding route in the network, running from peaks down to creek beds. Best suited to experienced hikers with proper footwear and a good sense of trail navigation.
Achila Ravine to Ligaries Beach Loop -- Roughly 8 km, 283m elevation, taking 2.5 to 3 hours. This loop starts near the Kechria area and descends through the ravine to Ligaries Beach -- one of the island's most unspoilt coastal spots.
Why Skiathos Hiking Feels Different from Other Greek Islands
If you have hiked in the Cyclades, you know the experience: exposed terrain, relentless sun, rocky paths with little shade. Beautiful in its own stark way, but physically demanding in summer.
Skiathos is fundamentally different. The pine forest canopy provides natural shade on the vast majority of trails, which means hiking here is viable even in July and August when most Greek islands are simply too hot for anything beyond a short walk. The trails pass through aromatic pine groves where the temperature drops noticeably under the canopy. If you have read about the science of forest bathing, this is where that research becomes lived experience.
The other difference is destination. Many Skiathos trails end at a beach. You hike through forest and arrive at a cove where you can swim, dry off on the rocks, and then walk back. Carrying a swimsuit and a towel in your daypack is not optional gear -- it is essential.
When to Hike in Skiathos
The best months for hiking are May, June, September, and October. Temperatures sit between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius, the trails are dry, and the island is not at peak capacity.
That said, do not write off summer entirely. The pine forest shade makes July and August hiking more manageable here than on virtually any other Greek island. Start early -- on the trail by 8am -- and you can comfortably complete most routes before the midday heat. The trails will be quieter than the beaches.
If you are planning a September visit, the hiking conditions are nearly ideal. Warm enough for a post-hike swim, cool enough for sustained walking, and the light at that time of year turns the pine forest golden in the late afternoon.
Your Villa as the Trailhead
Here is something that changes the hiking experience entirely: where you sleep.
The Kechria area -- where Damari Luxury Retreat sits -- is not just near the trail network. It is part of it. Trail ST9 passes directly through the Kechria area, and the Achila Ravine to Ligaries Beach loop starts nearby. The "Magic Forest" hiking trails are accessible directly from the villas.
This means you do not need to drive to a trailhead, find parking, or plan logistics. You walk out the door and you are in the pine forest, on a marked trail, heading toward a monastery, a waterfall, or a beach.
After hosting over 500 guests since 2019, we have seen how this changes the dynamic. Guests who would never describe themselves as hikers end up walking daily -- because the barrier is zero. A morning coffee on the terrace becomes a walk through the forest becomes a swim at Ligaries Beach becomes lunch back at the villa. It happens organically when the trails are that accessible.
You can also use the villas as a base for the wider trail network. Skiathos is compact enough that no trailhead is more than a 15-minute drive away. Combine a morning hike on ST6 to Kastro with an afternoon by your private pool, and you have a day that covers both active exploration and genuine rest. For those building a multi-day Skiathos itinerary, alternating beach days with trail days keeps the week varied without ever feeling like a schedule.
Practical Hiking Advice
Footwear: Sturdy walking shoes or light hiking boots. The trails are mostly well-maintained, but some sections involve loose stone and root-covered ground. Flip-flops will not do.
Water: Carry at least 1.5 litres per person. There are no water sources or shops on most trails. In summer, bring more.
Sun protection: Even with forest shade, you will encounter exposed sections. Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses.
Navigation: The free Skiathos Trails app provides GPS-enabled maps for all routes. Download maps before you set out -- mobile signal is patchy on some trails. The Anavasi 1:25,000 topographic map is a solid backup.
Swimsuit and towel: Many trails end at beaches. You will regret not packing these.
Timing: Start early in summer -- on the trail by 7:30 or 8am. In spring and autumn, any time of day works. Allow more time than you think. The trails are not races, and you will want to stop.
Difficulty honesty: The "easy" ratings assume reasonable fitness and proper shoes. If you are not a regular walker, start with ST15 or ST14 before attempting longer routes.
More on Skiathos nature: Read about forest bathing in the Kechria pine forest and the science behind it.
Planning your trip: Our day-by-day Skiathos itinerary shows how to balance hiking, beaches, and relaxation.
At Damari Luxury Retreat, both villas sit within the pine-forested Kechria hills -- directly on the island's trail network. Walk out to the Magic Forest trails in the morning, return to a private infinity pool in the afternoon. Our two three-bedroom villas each accommodate up to six guests, with full kitchens for refuelling after a day on the trails. Explore our villas or contact us to start planning.
