An easy walk through the woods, which skirt the long and beautiful, Sani beach, with views across the wetlands of the Sani Bird Sanctuary (2h. 30m.).

This walk can be started from either end but the description here is from Porto Sani Village to Siviri. It will be necessary to organize transport for your return, unless you intend to retrace your Steps (20km).

The path follows a well-marked woodland path, which meanders along the cliff tops between Sani Beach Holiday Resort and Siviri ; Sani Camping is passed, half way between Sani Beach Holiday Resort and Siviri.

People wishing a shorter walk could finish at Sani Camping. Because of the nature of the path, care must be taken, particularly with people who may suffer from vertigo, very young children and dogs.

Lizards, birds and butterflies abound in these shady woods, depending on the season. This is one of the most beautiful walks in Halkidiki and should not be missed.

An easy, circular, ridge walk in the pinewoods above the Possidi beach, which provides beautiful views of the coast as well as the olive grove, covered valley Inland, towards Kalandra. The path follows forest tracks for most of the way.

Time needed: 2 hours.

This walk takes one up into the hills behind Polyhrono to visit a pond in the woods where turtles are found (Mavrobara lake). The path follows broad forest tracks, passing through a high valley, surrounded by sandstone cliffs and pine forest.

The return path, gives many fine views of the sea and coast as it gradually descends, through the trees, to Polyhrono.

This walk, which is quite long, takes one via forest tracks to the beautiful little village of Kassandrino , hidden away in the hills of Kassandra. This unspoilt Creek village is a delight to visit.

The return path to Kryopighi also uses forest tracks that take one through the more remote parts of this peninsula.

This path takes one from Hanioti on the east coast of Kassandra up onto the long ridge, which is the backbone of the peninsula. It then follows this ridge north to the fire lookout tower, situated at one of the highest points on the ridge, before descending again to Hanioti.

The climb follows goat tracks up a minor ridge from Hanioti to reach the main ridge, which gives expansive views in all directions of the surrounding terrain. A wide forest track is followed along the middle section revealing fine views of Skioni and the western coastline and, on the descent to Hanioti, the eastern coast lies before us.

This high level easy route starts at the roadside just opposite the back entrance to the Athena Pallas Hotel at Elia Beach. It is an easy woodland walk along forest roads and narrow tracks, which give fine views of the coastline and beyond.

The walk visits the church to Paul the Apostle on the hill above Elia Beach and also Petros, the very large rock, with a trig point on its summit, which pokes up through the trees. This is the highest point on the ridge and those with a good head for heights can ascend the rock to enjoy the excellent views over the peninsula.

Ag. Pavlos (The church of St Paul the Apostle) is built near an ancient spring with very pure water. You will probably observe local people here filling plastic bottles and loading them into their cars, particularly on a Sunday. The legend goes that St. Paul passed through here on his way to Rome and at this spot he was thirsty. He prayed for water and struck the ground with his staff. The spring immediately gushed forth and it has been flowing ever since.

This walk is a circular route that uses mainly forest tracks to cross over the hill behind Nikiti to visit the small town of Ag . Nikolaos (Santa Claus). The Start of the walk is beside the school in Nikiti. When coming from the north turn left at the traffic lights and find a parking place along the roadside.

The school is on the left side of this road not far from the lights.

This long walk visits the very old village of Parthenonas and the walker is given two alternative methods of ascent and descent, depending on one's abilities.

One can ascend by a beautiful, if strenuous route, which visits an old water mill and dam and then climbs straight up a ridge, through olive groves and forest, to reach high forest tracks, leading to the village. Alternatively one can ascend from the tavern 'Drossia' via easy forest roads.

This walk from Porto Carras takes us up into the vineyards high above the Neos Marmaras, giving fine views over the sea. The return path drops to the coast, and meanders through open forest passing several beautiful sandy coves, with fine beaches, along the way.

This walk visits the vineyards of Porto Carras below, the large house high on the hill, which looks out over the bay. It was built by the late Yiannis Carras, who had a dream to bring tourism to Halkidiki. Yiannis, who was educated in America , the holiday resort of Porto Carras, the first such venture in Halkidiki. This development was very important as it brought large-scale tourism to Halkidiki for the first time.

The Vegetation along the tracks on this walk is particularly varied. Many wild flowering and fruiting bushes are to be found, considerably adding to the interest of the route.

This easy walk starts at the beautiful natural harbour of Porto Koufo on the west coast of Sithonia. The route uses farm and goat tracks to reach Kapros the remote southern peak of the peninsula.

The path passes through an area rich in flora and fauna and fine views can be obtained from Kapros of the precipitous cliffs along the coast. On a fine day the Sporades Islands can be seen to the southwest.

Porto Koufo featured in recent history. The fine natural harbour with its very deep waters made it an excellent base for the German U-boats based in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Remains of a concrete water reservoir and anti-aircraft gun platforms can still be seen on the summit of Kapros.

This walk takes one on a circular trip around the ridge directly above the town to the north, giving fine views over the town and the surrounding countryside. The route makes use of old charcoal burners paths, goat tracks and unsurfaced farm access roads. Parts of the circuit involve rather steep, but safe, rocky ascents and descents. Time required: 4 hours.

The Sykians have a long standing tradition of independence and an unwillingness to be subdued.

Ammouliani island lies off the eastern coast of the coast of the Athos peninsula at the northern end of the gulf of Agio Oros. It is inhabited and there is a regular ferryboat service between the island and Trypiti at the northern end of the peninsula.

There is ample parking at Trypiti and one can cross as a foot passenger for a nominal amount (160 CRD or 32p in 1999). The route is mainly an easy walk along unmade farm access roads with about 1km of more difficult scrub and tree-covered hillside, in order to reach a fine cliff top viewpoint. The time required is about 2 hours.

With a population of about 400, this is the only inhabited island on Halkidiki. There are traces of a settlement here since Classical Greek times. Later this group of Islands became part of the lands of one of the Mt. Athos monasteries. After 1922 refugees from Asia Minor settled here. The people on the island are mainly fisherman or merchant seamen.

This easy route takes one from the village of Ouranoupolis along a path, which follows the coast to the border of Athos. It then turns north along the border fence for a few hundred yards, before turning west to ascend a forest track. This track gradually climbs the wooded hillside overlooking the coastline between Ouranoupolis and the Athos Border, as it meanders round the side of the valley.

This walk links the three Hotels Alexandros, Eagles Palace and Hotel Aristoteles, which lie along the road between Trypiti and Ouranoupolis.

The walk uses the high ground behind the hotels as a platform for viewing the gulf of Agio Oros, the Island of Ammouliani and the hills of Sithonia beyond.

From points along the route, the opposite side of the peninsula and the gulf of lerissos can be seen. The high ground can be accessed directly from all three hotels, or from Ouranoupolis, so it is possible to arrange a walk between one hotel and another, or from an hotel to Ouranoupolis, and then return along the road, by bus or taxi as required.

This walk takes one up onto the mountain over-looking Polygyros from the southeast.

The first part of the trip provides panoramic views of the city and terrain to the northwest, as it winds its way up to the church of the Prophet Elias.

This church, with its large stone cross, is a prominent landmark that stands high above the town. The route then follows the mountain ridge leading east to the Telecommunications masts on the summit of Stavrou Tuba (942m). This is followed by a steep descent down a ridge back to Polygyros. The paths on this route have all been made through the scrubland in the last few years and should be in good condition; so stout shoes should suffice (2 1/2 hours).

This walk between the mountain villages of Taxiarhis and Vrastama starts at a height of 640m above sea level and finishes at 450m, so it is mainly downhill with a few ups and downs along the way.

This walk is quite arduous and difficult in places requiring good footwear, and should not be attempted after heavy rainfall. The walk Starts in the high mountain village of Vrastama and follows an unsurfaced road over the hill behind the village to descend along a narrow ridge into the large valley beyond. The many deep ravines cutting through the valley restrict the possibilities for easy progress and it is necessary in places to descend into the beds of streams and follow watercourses.

The highlight of the walk is a visit to a natural cave, Ag. Efthymios at the bottom of a remote ravine. This was once the home of a hermit, and is now a shrine.

This long walk starts almost at the summit of Mt. Holomondas above the village of Taxiarhis and then descends through remote terrain to the village of Paleohora, 10km to the northwest.

This short but interesting walk takes one through the archaeological remains of the Ancient City of Stageira, which was situated on the two small hills, overlooking the sea, at the northwestern corner of Olympiada.

It then ascends the hill to the south of the town on a forest track providing a fine woodland walk, with the added bonus of panoramic views over Olympiada and its bay below. A quick descent to the village then follows on a narrow, hunters' path, and the walk ends with a stroll along the beach.

Olympiada is a refugee village built after 1922, but only a kilometre east of the village is the site of the ancient city of Stageira; probably the most important historical site in Halkidiki. During the 7th Century B.C. Stageira was colonized first by Andrians and then, later, by Chalceans. The city was taken over by the Persians in the Persian Wars and became a member of the Athenium Alliance. Later in 424 B.C. the city rebelled and joined the Lacedaemonians, causing it to be besieged by the Athenians without success. Stageira later became a member of the Chalcidean League, until Philip destroyed it in 348 B.C.; who later rebuilt it in order to honour Aristotle.