If you had to describe Skiathos and Skopelos with one word, that word would definitely be: "LUSH". Especially if one comes to walk the Northern Sporades after having walked the Cyclades, or certain mountains of Crete and Peloponese, these islands will seem extremely green.

Skiathos and Skopelos not only retain much of their forests, they also preserve big part of their old paths. Usually, these paths are intersected by newly constructed roads, and they are being kept open mostly by foreign walkers.

Hikers on Skiathos and Skopelos are unlikely to get thirsty, too hot or sunburnt. All routes are well shaded; springs with running fresh water are wide-spread; not to mention the numerous beaches, of which, Skiathos alone counts 60!

Archeology lovers won't have much to see on the two islands. Monastery architecture, as well as traditional architecture enthusiasts, will have a lot to see, especially on Skopelos. Those who want cosmopolitan life should go to Skiathos, while solitude seekers should prefer Skopelos.

Before setting off, arm yourself with a good guide, such as M.S. Dubin's Greece on Foot. The book has descriptions of one one-day loop-hike for Skiathos, and several routes for Skopelos. Don't stick too much to the descriptions tho. Much of Skiathos's ex-walking terrain has now been fenced off. On Skopelos you are likely to discover more paths than the ones described in the guide. In either case, a good map, good trail sence, good sense of orientation, and a good command of greek(to ask the locals for directions), are invaluable tools.

My favourite itineraries on Skiathos:

1.: By road: Skiathos town to Panagia Kardasi Monastery.

The road crosses the center of the island passing below its highest peak (443m). High views over the south part of the island.

2.: By path: From Panagia Kardasi Monastery, to the peninsula of the Kastro, where the medieval city of the island was situated.

Lots of running fresh-water springs, and lots of shade in the region of the abandoned monastery. Everything in the old town has been turned into piles of stones over the centuries. Only several old churches are still resisting time, and are worth seeing. One of them, the church of Christos, was described in the books of Alexandros Papadiamandis, the famous greek novelist.

3.: By road: From Skiathos town to Evangelistrias Monastery.

The road inrersects the old path running from the town to the monastery so, you can take shortcuts.

4.: By path: From Evangelistrias Monastery, to the Monastery of Agios Haralambos.

Starting from the back gate of Evangelistrias, and ending on the road just before the front gate of Agios Haralambos. The greek novelist Alexandros Moraitinis spent here the last years of his life, writing his last works.

There is a path between Agios Haralambos and Panagia Kardasi Monastery, but it is hard to find and follow it (overgrown bushes).

Alternatively to the path you can take the road from Agios Haralambos reaching the crossroad just before Panagia Kardassi. So you can combine all the above routes, in an one-day round trip of Skiathos.

My favourite itineraries on Skopelos:

1.: Skpopelos town to Elios village. Crossing east-west the island through paths and forestry roads.

2.: Wandering through the forests of Mount Delphi, Skopelos' s highest (662m).

3.:Exploring the paths that connect the monasteries to the east of Skopelos town.

Special thanks to Nader Bolouri of Artline, 9 Aretousas Str., Iraklion (081-282474), for scanning my slides for this page.