Christian Walking Holidays

25 May and 28 September 2023 - Samos

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

Christian walking holidays

Are you interested in Christian walking holidays? Our walking weeks are always a highlight, with experienced leaders taking you on incredible walks. Based in Samos, the walks are carefully planned to seek out places of beauty and interest. These walking weeks are a great opportunity to enjoy the splendour of God’s creation with friends old and new!

What you can expect

Our Richmond guide will take you along fantastic guided walks with spectacular views and points of interest! These will be fun, social walks with a like-minded group, allowing you to enjoy hidden parts of this amazing island.

The walking week consists of five walks on five days, with one rest day, to coincide with the Sunday’s service and activities. The walks are 6 to 11 miles on tracks and paths which may be rough in places. We anticipate that three walks will be circular walks from the hotel. The other two walks will require transport; this will be arranged for you and there will be a small ‘at cost’ price of around £8-10 per person per trip in resort (this will be made clear when you’re choosing which walks you’d like to sign up for).

We will leave reasonably early (about 9am) each morning to avoid too much walking in the heat of the afternoon, 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.

Please see our example itinerary as follows:

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.

THUSDAY: Welcome and walking briefing, opportunity to sign up to walks
FRIDAY: Zefiros to Paleokastro circuit (from hotel). Grade: Moderate – Distance: 13km (8 miles)
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: Day Off, Easy late afternoon walk to Psili Amos, local sandy beach
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.
TUESDAY Zoodochos Pigi to Samos Town – ‘Town and Country’
- Grade & Distance: Moderate to hard 14km (8.5 miles) / Easy 8km 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, Half Day Walk: Psili Ammos circuit (from hotel) Grade: Moderate – Distance: 11km (7 miles), circa 3.5hrs walking time.

During your Walking Week, 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!

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!”