Yes, Greece is known for being the birthplace of the marathon, but let’s face it, this OG race doesn’t quite get the same buzz as its European or American counterparts. But here’s the thing – Greece has got some serious running cred, and it’s just waiting for you to discover it. The ancients knew this well. Imerodromoi were professional messengers and highly trained athletes who would traverse hundreds of kilometers delivering crucial messages between cities. The most famous of these ancient ultrarunners was Phidippides, who ran from Athens to Sparta and back again (a casual 240km round trip) before tackling his legendary Marathon-to-Athens route. But, while history celebrates these runs as acts of patriotic duty, we like to think imerodromoi got something more from their epic journeys: killer single tracks, breathtaking mountain views, and landscapes that would make even Zeus pause for a selfie.
Fast forward to today, and Greece remains an unexploited runner’s paradise. From mist-shrouded mountain peaks to deep limestone gorges, pine-scented alpine forests to sun-drenched coastal trails, Greece is quietly emerging as the discerning runner’s next must-visit destination. Here are our top five picks for an unforgettable Hellenic running adventure.
1. Arcadia
If you’re looking for Greece’s best-kept running secret, welcome to Arcadia. When mythological heavyweights like Pan and Hermes chose this central Peloponnese spot as their hangout, you know it’s got to be special. Think lush mountain trails, ancient stone villages that look straight out of a postcard, and the kind of solitude that’s becoming rare in today’s world.
Trails You Can’t Miss:
- Menalon Trail: This isn’t just any trail – it’s 75km of European-certified awesome. Connecting Stemnitsa to Lagkadia, it’s like a greatest hits album of Greek landscapes: dense forests, hilltop villages that time forgot, and views that’ll make your Strava followers weep.
- Lousios Gorge Trail: Want to run past monasteries built into cliffs while following a river through a gorge? Yeah, we thought so. This one’s steep and challenging, but that’s kind of the point.
In it for the race bling? Mark your calendar for May when the Captain Chronas Trail Race lets you channel your inner mountain goat between the villages of Libovisi and Chrysovitsi.
2. Zagori
If Arcadia is Greece’s best-kept running secret, then Zagori is its wild-hearted cousin that never learned to whisper. Nestled in the rugged embrace of Epirus, this is where Mother Nature went all out – we’re talking 46 stone villages (called Zagorochoria) connected by ancient paths that look like they were laid by giants. The Zagori National Park isn’t just another pretty face in Greece’s outdoor scene; it’s one of Europe’s richest ecosystems where bears and wolves still roam free (don’t worry, they’re not into chasing runners).
Trails You Can’t Miss:
- Vikos Gorge Trail: Listed by Guinness as one of the world’s deepest gorges, this 12-15km trail is your ticket to running through geological history. The limestone walls tower above you like nature’s skyscrapers, with panoramic vistas that stop you in your tracks. The sheer magnitude of the canyon walls rising around you creates an experience that’ll be etched in your memory long after the run.
- Astraka Mountain and Dragon Lake: Starting from the cobblestone streets of Papingo village, this 10-12km climb takes you to a lake that lives up to its mythical name. The dragon might be missing, but the alpine scenery at 2,000m will make you believe in magic.
In it for the race bling? Circle July on your calendar for the Zagori Mountain Running event. Whether you’re a weekend warrior (10km) or an ultra-beast (80km), there’s a distance with your name on it. Just be prepared – these mountains don’t give up their medals easily!
3. Mt Olympus
Rising to 2,918m, Greece’s highest peak isn’t just a mountain – it’s where mythology meets reality in the most dramatic way possible. This legendary massif serves up a stunning variety of landscapes as you climb, transitioning from Mediterranean forests through alpine meadows to bare rock faces that pierce the clouds. With over 160km of marked trails and a network of mountain refuges, it’s a trail runner’s paradise that demands both respect and preparation.
Trails You Can’t Miss:
- Prionia to Mytikas Summit: This isn’t your average neighborhood jog – it’s a 10km journey from ancient forests to Greece’s rooftop. Starting at Prionia (1,100m), you’ll climb through the “Stairs of Zeus”, gaining serious vert on the way to Skala summit. From there, if you’re feeling godly enough, you can scramble up to Mytikas peak, where the air is thin, the views are Olympian.
- Enipeas Gorge Trail: Want to run through what feels like a Greek mythology textbook come to life? This 10km trail follows the legendary Enipeas River through a gorge that’s straight out of a fantasy novel. Think wooden bridges, hidden waterfalls, and the kind of ancient forest where you half expect to bump into a dryad taking a coffee break.
In it for the race bling? The Winter Enipeas comes calling in December, challenging runners with a robust 23km through the gorge’s most dramatic sections.
4. Parnassos
Perched above the ancient sanctuary of Delphi and the lively stone village of Arachova, Parnassos Mountain strikes a perfect balance between accessibility and wild beauty. Just a couple of hours from Athens, Parnassos welcomes runners year-round, with trails that weave through shaded gorges and rocky ridgelines, all the way up to its limestone summit where the Gulf of Corinth shimmers like a distant mirage.
Trails You Can’t Miss:
- Delphi to Corycian Cave: This 19km trail isn’t just a run – it’s a journey through time. Starting from the ancient sanctuary of Delphi, you’ll climb through fragrant juniper forests to reach a cave where ancient Greeks once worshipped Pan and the Nymphs. The moderate ascent serves up views that make every step of the climb worthwhile.
- Arachova to Liakoura Peak: Want to touch the sky? This challenging route takes you from the stone-built streets of Arachova to Parnassos’s highest point at 2,457m. Along the way, you’ll pass through flower-strewn meadows and rocky outcrops, with panoramic vistas that seem to encompass half of Greece.
In it for the race bling? The Monopati Parnassou in April lets you choose your own adventure with distances from 8.5km to 25.2km.
5. Crete
Most come to Greece’s largest island hunting Minoan ruins and perfect beaches, but Crete’s true treasures lie in its mountains. Here, where shepherds still roam paths older than history itself, a network of trails cuts through some of the Mediterranean’s wildest terrain. Between the island’s snow-capped peaks and the warm southern seas, every run becomes an adventure through landscapes that seem to belong to another era entirely.
Trails You Can’t Miss:
- Samaria Gorge: This legendary 16km descent isn’t just Europe’s longest gorge – it’s nature’s ultimate stairmaster. Starting from Omalos plateau, you’ll weave through a landscape that gets more dramatic with every kilometer, where walls squeeze to just a few meters apart and endemic Cretan wild goats play parkour on impossible cliffs.
- Mount Psiloritis (Ida) Summit: A challenging 10km climb to Crete’s rooftop at 2,456m. The trail starts through ancient oak forests before breaking into rocky terrain where the mythical Zeus spent his childhood. Each meter of elevation gained opens up more of the island’s expanse, until you’re standing between three seas.
In it for the race bling? Why not test your limits at one of only two backyard ultras in Greece? The Cretan Backyard Ultra brings runners to Voritsio’s central square each January, where they tackle 6.7km loops every hour until there’s only one left standing.
Ready to run Greece off the beaten track? The Overseas Club team can organize your running adventure, whether you’re chasing mountain views or ancient trails. From accommodation and transfers to local guides who know every twist and turn, we’ve got every detail covered – just bring your running shoes.