Walking
Christian Walking Holidays
Are you a Christian who loves walking? Come and join a Richmond Holidays Walking Programme! Our experienced leaders will take you to incredible locations that are often only accessible on foot. Based in Samos, the walks are carefully planned to seek out places of outstanding beauty and are a great opportunity to enjoy the splendour of God’s creation with friends old and new!
Your Richmond Walking Leader has explored and researched Samos for the very best walking locations with spectacular views, friendly restaurant or coffee stops and off-the-beaten-track hikes! These will be fun, social walks with a like-minded group, allowing you to enjoy hidden parts of this amazing island.
The Programme consists of five walks with one rest day, to coincide with the Sunday’s service and in-resort activities. Each walk will be around 6 to 11 miles on tracks and paths which will require appropriate footwear. Most walks will require transport so to secure your place on the full programme, you will need to pre-book the programme. If there are spaces remaining once in resort, you can book day-to-day.
We will leave at around 09:00 each morning to avoid too much walking in the heat of the day, and to provide plenty of time to relax at the end of the day. During the walks, we aim to use suitable local restaurants for relaxing and well-earned breaks, but sometimes packed lunches need to be carried, which you can purchase beforehand. Over the week the walks will vary in difficulty level, distance and incline.
We are delighted to have experienced and enthusiastic Walking Leaders to host the programme for you. They all have many miles of Samos tracks and trails under their belts and have enjoyed scouting out the very best walks that Samos has to offer so they can share their passions with you!
Richard Caseley
Richard is an experienced and passionate walker who has been a Resort Manager for Richmond in the past and has led walks in Samos and the French Alps for Richmond over the last 7 years.
“The island of Samos provides great opportunities for walking from hill to coast in beautiful surroundings and with views to the mountains and Turkey. I aim for all our walks to provide opportunities for refreshment of body, mind and spirit in good company and stunning locations. The taverna lunches are a highlight too!”
Steve and Pauline
Steve and Pauline are passionate walkers. They first visited the island of Samos in 2016 when they were amazed by the breathtaking views from the summit of Mt. Karvounis, and by the tranquil beauty of its forests and lakes. Steve has enjoyed leading walking holidays all over the UK and since moving to Bournemouth, they now love exploring the New Forest, and the south coast paths.
“Samos offers incredible variety: allowing walking holiday guests to enjoy secluded trails, scenic woodlands, hidden valleys, coastal paths, stunning views and so much more. We aim for all our walks to enable guests to confidently enjoy exploring the island with others. The taverna lunches also provide a well-earned and delicious treat!”
Example Itinerary
These may not be the exact walks that your Walking Week leaders prepare for your week, but we do hope that you can get a good idea of the walks that you may be able to enjoy in Samos.
THURSDAY
Welcome and walking briefing, opportunity to sign up to walks
FRIDAY
Mytilini to Kokkari
Grade: Easy
Distance: 9.6km (6 miles)
Paths: Mainly wide slightly rough paths throughout
Ascent/Descent: Ascent 218m. Descent: 330m
A chance to check your walking level, ending with time to explore the beautiful seaside town of Kokkari
SATURDAY
Above Pythagoria and the Ancient Waterways
Grade: Moderate with steep sections
Distance: 11.2km (7 miles)
Paths: Varied from lovely wide shaded to narrow, steep, narrow paths with scratchy vegetation (wear trousers)
Ascent/Descent: 322m
Around Mount Kastro taking in the ends of the Eupalinos tunnel (one of the 8 wonders of the ancient world) and the more recent Roman aqueduct, then over the top for views down on Pythagoria, where your lunch stop beckons
SUNDAY
No Walk – Communion and Sailing Fun Regatta (All abilities)
MONDAY
Psiliamos and Klima
Grade: Depends on how much you chose: Very easy to moderate
Distance: 5km (3 miles) to 16.3km (10 miles)
Paths: Varied from flat tarmac to rugged wide paths with sea views to shaded forest tracks
Ascent/Descent: 10m to 333m
You can choose between a very easy stroll to a beach café in Psiliamos and a 90 minute climb in the woods above Zefiros beach to the same café and then on along the beautiful coast track to refreshments at Klima Bay and back to Psiliamos and then the hotel.
TUESDAY
Zoodochos Pigi Monastery and Makis’s Taverna and Mourtia Bay
Grade: Moderately easy but steady ascent
Distance: 13.9km (9 miles)
Paths: Steadily climbing cobbled track up, then down. Wide slightly rough track to the bay
Ascent/Descent: Ascent: 305m. Descent: 450m
A steady climb up a pilgrim’s track to a peaceful and welcoming monastery (cover thighs and shoulders) and views of Turkey and an ancient naval battle site. Retrace our steps to the ever-welcoming Makis for lunch. Then an easy descent to swim at the beach and await our transport home.
WEDNESDAY
The Nightingale Valley
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 13.4km (8 ½ miles)
Paths: Beautiful, wide forest ascent, narrow slightly overgrown paths and steep descent
Ascent/Descent: Ascent: 571m. Descent: 616m (2,000 feet)
The Nightingale Valley is one of the gems of the island. You need to be fit, with good knees for this walk but you will be rewarded with a lovely valley, fantastic views and a great lunch spot.
During your holiday, all of our usual fantastic activities will also be available, including our full RYA waterfront! These activities include sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding, biking, tennis and more.
All of the walks and other activities are completely optional. This is your holiday to enjoy as you wish!
There is so much of this beautiful Greek island to be explored, from the beaches to the towns and the hills with magnificent views over the Aegean waters! Our programme of walks will use a variety of roads and rough tracks which take in fantastic Grecian vistas and local scenes stopping at some great off-the-beaten-track tavernas for lunches.
The highest mountain on this small Island, Mt Kerkis, stands tall at a peak of 1,433m making it taller than Ben Nevis! Some of the walks do require a good level of fitness but rest assured the views you are rewarded with are well worth it!
To make the most of your week on this stunning island, we recommend that you bring comfortable outdoor clothing, a lightweight waterproof jacket (rain is rare, but it’s good to be prepared!), walking boots or shoes, walking poles, a small rucksack, a water bottle, a sunhat, sun cream, sunglasses and a small personal first aid kit.
One of our guests on our 2022 Walking Week shared with us: “I loved the fellowship and the ministry; the beautiful superbly guided walks; the mealtimes where it was so easy to sit with a wide variety of people at the long tables; the watersports with such a big area available to use – and more!”
Walking Programme Supplement
£
75
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All Transportation Included
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Guaranteed space on every walk
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Well planned, led walking routes
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Incredible views and scenery
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Great company with fellow walkers
Book My Holiday Now
*Please mention the walking Programme in "Additional Requirements" when booking.
