As the Christmas holidays loom large, last minute trips are back on the radar. Visiting Greece is a great option as, beyond a city break to Athens, the Greek mainland offers so much for adventure seekers, fun family experiences and for those of you after a relaxing break in unadulterated nature.

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A winter break in the snowy mountains of Greece is an eye-opening experience and contrasts significantly with the sensational summers of sun, sea and sand. We traveled around the country to bring you five enticing destinations that marry magical landscapes with some fun, and thrilling activities.

Snowmobiling in Pertouli, Thessaly.

Beyond Meteora (about 1 hour drive) is Elati the last village before the ski resort, Livadia Pertouli, Southern Pindos mountain range. The road winds through pristine fir forests, beaming with snow for most of the winter. At the ski center, next to the resorts’ chalet, Giorgos Polygenis has openned Pertouli Extreme Sport. From here he leads tours and rents gear and vehicles for mountain adventures. One of the things you can hire are snowmobiles with which you can glide and plough, safely over the snowy landscape. Accompanied by experienced and knowledgeable guides you will be buzzing around snowy tracks through forests with awesome vistas of the craggy peaks of mount Koziakas.

Info: Pertouli Extreme Sport, Giorgos Polygenis, 6981764200

Horse riding in Elati, Arcadia.

The central Peloponnese mountainous region of Arcadia is full of surprises. One of its most characteristic features is that in no time at all, from the centre of the city of Tripoli, you will suddenly find yourself transported to the heart of a magical fir tree forest. Traveling over winding narrow mountain lanes, skirted by these thick forests, you’ll arrive at the village of Elati on Menalo mountain.

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Photo: Amalia Kovaiou
Photo: Amalia Kovaiou

It is here where you’ll find Christos Simopoulos, who runs a wood carving workshop at the entrance to the settlement. As you’ll find out wood carving is not his only love, he also has horses near the workshop. He and his equine loving partner, Tryfonas Liaropoulos, lead hacks through the surrounding Arcadian forests. Less experienced riders (or kids) can do shorter 10 minute rides in the fields next to the stables.

Info: Horses in Elati, Tel.: 6977022173, 6982600073

Hiking in Zagori, north west Greece.

Zagori in the Pindos mountains of Epirus still manages to find the balance between tourist development and the true and authentic Greece – to be honest it’s probably because it’s not the easiest place to get to. But when you do get here you’ll be awestruck by rivers, ravines, prehistoric cave dwellings, forests, alpine lakes in this micro ecosystem. You’ll love Zagori for what it is, but you wont be able to help falling in love with the place for all the things you can do there. Hiking is king! Everyone who comes – some more, others less – embark on one of dozens of amazing trails. As beautiful as the area is you’ve always take care and give the due respect that this wild environment demands. When hiking, don’t set-off without the appropriate maps and gear, as moving around the mountains requires know-how and a high level of competence. Better still to experience and enjoy all that this area has to offer go with a guide.

Among the many routes we singled out the trek from Skala Vradetou to Kapesovo (a trek that is fine to do unguided), which is also one of the most popular. This famous stairway has more than 1500 steps. It is still in very good condition, and amazingly up until 1973, it was the only path connecting the village Vradeto with the rest of the ‘Zagorohoria‘. Starting from the village, the highest in the region, the stairway starts winding down hairpin bends with spectacular views of the ravine of Mesaria, which you head towards. After a while the stairway starts the climb towards Kapesovo. The route is almost 3.5 kilometers long and takes about an hour and a half to complete. Note: The path is clearly marked.

Info: Trekking Hellas Ioannina, Giorgos Poulopoulos, 2651071703, 6944750009

Archery in Kalavryta, Peloponnese

Only a couple of hours from Athens, it’s the ski resort at Kalavryta that gets all the attention. However Kalavryta also has many sides and people can enjoy a multitude of great activities while visiting. We met Kostas Kakavas and Nikos Prionas, at the 4 Seasons outdoor facilities in town. As nature lovers their focus is on showcasing the area they treasure in an interesting and sustainable fashion. So they set up a series of activities, such as hiking in fresh areas, skiing and orienteering around the Helmos mountain.

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Kalavryta/Photo: Amalia Kovaiou
Kalavryta/Photo: Amalia Kovaiou

Another activity, and a swashbuckling one at that, is archery. They have set up targets at a clearing in the forest where the peace and tranquillity make for a singular experience. It’s only twenty minutes drive from town. After a brief but comprehensive lesson we got to shoot our bows, loose our arrows and gradually even hit the target rather than have the arrows thud into the turf behind.

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Anilio Ski Center/Photo: Amalia Kovaiou
Anilio Ski Center/Photo: Amalia Kovaiou

Snowy activities in Metsovo, near Ioannina Epirus.

Leaving the large Vlach village of Metsovo with its traditional shops and authentic tavernas behind us, we headed up towards the ski resort of Anilio (anilio means ‘to get no sun’). The road here, we were told, remains open and safe even during and after, the quite regular, days of heavy snow. What was once only a ski center, Anilio Park, has morphed into a year round activity hub. so depending on the season, you can choose from a wide range of activities. Alpine and cross-country skiing, skiing, trekking, mountaineering, cycling, snowmobiling, sledding, are just some of those on offer. For those of you looking for more serious mountain ‘fun’, Ursa Trail, organise marathons and ultra marathons around Metsovo.

Read also:

Skala of Vradeto: Climb the curious 1.100-step stairway in Zagori

Kalavryta’s Stunning Cave of the Lakes

Greek winter destination offering perfect contact with nature