Kos Hiking

Despite being one of the biggest islands of the Dodecanese complex, Kos doesn't have any official marked routes for hiking and exploring its mountainous side with ease. However, the island has plenty of unofficial trails that connect remote spots and villages, giving everybody a chance to hike across the island.

Below are some of the recommended unofficial trails that one can follow on Kos.
We highly recommend that all hikers carry enough water, take the necessary sun protection measures, and wear shoes suitable for hiking. For long trails, it is best to have food and basic first aid supplies, too.

Most popular routes

• Trail 1: Mount Dikeos

Try your limits by climbing atop Mount Dikeos, the highest mountaintop of Kos, hiking between dense vegetation, large trees, and a rock-filled pathway.
Length: 6.9 kilometers
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Hard

• Trail 2: Ancient City and Agora - Castle of Neratzia

Enjoy a walk through time and ancient history around the Fortress of Neratzia, the Ancient Agora, the Ancient Gymnasium, and the Roman Odeon of Kos.
Length: 3.5 kilometers
Duration: 45 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

• Trail 3: Fortress of Antimachia

Begin from Kardamena and make your way to reach the Castle of Antimachia.
Length: 3 kilometers
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate

• Trail 4: South Coast Lookout Loop

A circular trip near Mount Dikeos, where you will pass through the Tsoukalaria stream and the northern side of the mountain.
Length: 10.9 kilometers
Duration: 3 hours and 15 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate

• Trail 5: Alykes Tigaki Wetland Loop

Go around the Alykes Wetland and visit the village of Tigaki.
Length: 4 kilometers
Duration: 45 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

• Trail 6: Zia - Dikeos - Marmari

Start a journey from Zia Village towards the Summit of Dikeos, then reach the seaside village of Marmari.
Length: 14.3 kilometers
Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

• Trail 7: Agios Nektarios - Tsoukalaria Forest (looping trail)

This is an uphill journey from Agios Nektarios Village towards Mount Sympetro, through the Tsoukalaria forest and its stream.
Length: 7 kilometers
Duration: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate

• Trail 8: Kardamena - Koukos Hill (looping trail)

From Kardamena Village, walk across the western side of Koukos Hill and return back.
Length: 8.9 kilometers
Duration: around 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

• Trail 9: Latra Hill - Cavo Paradiso (looping trail)

Combine a visit to the Mountain of Latra with a visit to Paradise Beach.
Length: 12.9 kilometers
Duration: 3.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

• Trail 10: Tigaki - Messaria Revoir

Reach the artificial water reservoir of Messaria, starting from mountainous spots of central Kos.
Length: 8.4 kilometers
Duration: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate

Other routes

• Agios Nektarios - Mount Dikeos
Length: 16.7 kilometers | Difficulty: Moderate

• A trip around the Fortress of Antimachia
Length: 1.1 kilometers | Difficulty: Easy

• Porto Bello - Plaka Forest (looping trail)
Length: 16.4 kilometers | Difficulty: Moderate

• Loop around the village of Agios Nektarios
Length: 5.8 kilometers | Difficulty: Easy

• Zia - Palio Pyli
Length: 15.8 kilometers | Difficulty: Moderate

• From Agios Ioannis Thymianos to Tripiti Beach
Length: 6.4 kilometers | Difficulty: Moderate

• Marmari - Alykes Tigaki Wetland (looping trail)
Length: 8.7 kilometers | Difficulty: Easy