Christian Walking Holidays

30 May and 03 October 2024

Location: Samos, Greece

Christian Walking Holidays: Explore the beauty of Samos by joining our friendly and experienced guides on stunning walks.

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!

What you can expect

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.

£ 60

Supplement for Full Walking Programme

Your Walking Leaders

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!”

Jo and Chris

Jo and Chris first visited Samos in 2005 and have led numerous walks both in Samos and the French Alps. They love to explore and have recently completed the final stages of the 630-mile South West Coast Path.

“We love Samos, and walking allows us to experience some gorgeous, unseen parts of the island that are otherwise inaccessible. The friendliness of the locals as we discover hidden gems that few tourists reach has been a real treat and we are thrilled to invite you to join us as we return for our fifth year!”

Example Itinerary

These may not 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

Zefiros to Paleokastro circuit (from hotel)

Grade: Moderate

Distance: 11.5km (7 miles)

Paths: Good tracks throughout

Ascent/Descent: Approx. 200m ascent and 200m descent

A circular walk exploring the hills and valleys north of our hotel and taking in the pretty inland villages of Drossia and Paleokastro.

SATURDAY

Kokkari to Tsabo, via the mountains

Grade: Moderate/Hard

Distance: 15km (9 miles)

Paths: Mostly good tracks but some narrow, rocky paths & some concrete paths in villages.

Ascent/Descent: Approx. 500m (1650ft) uphill, all at the start and steep in one short section.

Lovely walk up to Mona Vondri, with lunch at a mountain taverna with a view and finishing up at the beach.

SUNDAY

No Walk – Communion and Sailing Fun Regatta (All abilities)

MONDAY

Kambos to Platanakia – ‘The Valley of the Nightingales’

Grade: Moderate/Hard

Distance: 13km (8 miles)

Paths: Good tracks except some narrow rocky paths and some concrete sections in villages.

Ascent/Descent: The uphill sections total 600m (1980ft) but they are split into two sections.

Lovely walk up to mountain villages of Vourliates and Manolates, with stunning sea views. A firm favourite with many and often a chance to buy local Samos honey!

TUESDAY

Zoodochos Pigi to Samos Town – ‘Town and Country’

Grade: Moderate/Hard

Distance: 14km (8.5 miles) / Easy 8km (5 miles) for those who finish at lunchspot

Paths: Generally follows good tracks, paths, and roads all the way.

Ascent/Descent: 200m (660ft) uphill (not too steep) and 350m (1085ft) down.

Walk up to the Zoodochos Pigi Convent, which we visit, down to a delightful taverna for lunch, up to a panoramic viewpoint and then down into Samos Town.

WEDNESDAY

Psili Ammos Circuit (from hotel)

Grade: Moderate

Distance: 11km (7 miles), circa 3.5hrs walking time.

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!

About Samos

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 be 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, 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!”