Evia Cycling Tour

Arrival at Athens Airport and travel by public transport from the airport to Eretria. If you arrive early, you can pick up your bike and take a short ride around Eretria and along the coast.

Depending on your mood and ambition, you can choose from two options for today’s ride. You can take the ferry across the Gulf of Evia from Eretria to Oropos, a crossing of 30 minutes. From Oropos you cycle inland. A short, steep ascent leads you to the ancient Amphiarion, dedicated to the god and hero Amphiaraos, one of the Argonauts in the quest for the Golden Fleece. Zigzagging downhill among vineyards, you reach the coast where you pedal back along the seashore to Oropos. You can extend the ride by cycling up to Kalamos and then down to Agioi Apostoloi to return to Oropos along the coast.

For an easier route, you can cycle uphill from Eretria via backroads to the village of Gymno and return, partly via the same route. It’s a pleasant ride past olive groves and open farmland, with views of the sea.

Additionally, you can choose to visit the ancient site of Eretria and the Acropolis of Eretria before starting your ride.

Take a morning ferry with your bike from Eretria to Oropos. From Oropos you ride along the coast around the South Evian Gulf. Seaside fishing villages alternate with rural countryside. Closer to Chalkida you will come upon the impressive industrial mining buildings that once flourished in this area but have plummeted due to the economic crisis.

Via the old Evripou Bridge, you come to Chalkida, the capital of Evia. The route follows the coastline to the large River Lilas. Here you cycle inland to reach your next stop, the village of Fylla.

A long gradual ascent along the wide River Lilas takes you up to the inland village of Pissonas. Though demanding, the great scenery and tremendous views are rewarding! Further east, you come along the village of Pournos, then head south to Theologos. Next, you will take a 6km descent on a good dirt track and past the tiny village of Kamari. The Castle of Fylla, a landmark of this region, comes into view. Soon you reach the Mad Cat Farm and can plunge into the lovely pond.

You and your bike will be taken south to Giannitsi, a nice opportunity to see a large part of the island from a different perspective! From Giannitsi you cycle to Karystos. To reach the village of Chania, you cycle more than 10km along the River Megalo Remma, meaning “big stream” in Greek. The area is very remote and peaceful, with the delightful exception of a famous tavern in Pothi, where you can stop for a coffee.

From Chania, you ascend to Paradeisi with its huge plane trees and psistaries, where Greeks from far and wide come to eat the local grilled lamb. Leaving Paradeisi, you descend toward Karystos with the last 4km on a wide busy road. Your stay is near one of Karystos’ beaches, where you can swim in the warm Aegean waters.

On the last day of this trip, you choose between two options. You can cycle eastward, then ascend to the village of Metochi and further inland before zigzagging downhill to the coast. There is an optional loop to the beach of Bouros (with sunbeds, umbrellas and a bar). Here, the tarmac road ends at a massive hotel, abandoned in the nineties.

Another more challenging option is to discover the villages above Karystos, such as Kalivia, Mekounida and Myli. There are over 30 springs in these villages that were still in use daily until recent years. In Myli there is an excellent tavern where you can enjoy a farewell lunch before pedaling downhill back to Karystos.

After breakfast, your arrangement comes to an end. If you depart on the late afternoon ferry, you can do one of the rides listed under Day 6. You leave your bike at the hotel and take a taxi to the port of Marmari, where you get the ferry to Rafina (ferry ticket not included). Optionally you can book a transfer to the airport or take a local bus from Rafina to the airport.