Chamolia is a small settlement located 45 km from the center of Athens, home to the significant Sanctuary of Artemis or else the archaeological site of Vravrona.
Imagine numerous small bays arranged in a zigzag fashion with turquoise waters lapping at the shore.
Chamolia is a great spot for a hike, especially in spring or fall. The trail takes you through open terrain and leads to beautiful, hidden bays where you can take a refreshing swim, away from the northern winds.
For a full day of adventure, start your morning at the Vravrona archaeological site and museum, then enjoy a delicious meal at a nearby fish tavern. It’s the perfect escape—just a short drive from Athens and even closer to the airport!
Continue reading to discover all the necessary information for the Chamolia hike.
Name Tip: Chamolia is also known as Vravrona Beach.
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Technical Information for the Chamolia Hike
- Trail: 8,8 km, loop. It starts and ends at Chamolia Beach.
- Elevation: From 0 m to 315 m.
- Elevation gain: 395 m, Elevation loss: 395 m.
- Signposts: Some red signs and also red paint on rocks and trees.
- Total Time: About 5.00 hours, including pauses but not including time for swimming.
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate, mainly because there are five to six points where it is necessary to scramble.
- Terrain: Mostly earth road and earth path in the first third. The second third is an earth or rocky path, and the last third is a steep descending earth path with loose stones.
- Best time to hike: Spring and fall. During these seasons, you can avoid intense sunlight and still enjoy swimming. However, you can follow the trek year-round but avoid rainy days as scrambling may become dangerous on slippery rocks. We hiked in late October (the temp was around 20 C).
- Participation Requirements: Not overly demanding, but good physical condition is necessary, particularly for navigating scrambling points and managing a steep descent at the end.
- Gear: Ηiking poles will be useful for the descent. Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are necessary on sunny days, as most of the trail is exposed. A fleece jacket or windbreaker may be needed as the middle part, especially on a ridge, can be windy.
- Water: You will not find any water sources on the trail, so take enough water (2 liters).
Hiking Chamolia Beach – Trail Breakdown
The trail starts at the end of the asphalt road along the Chamolia seashore. Proceed southeast for approximately 300 m, then turn right for another 200 m until you reach an earth road; turn left here.
Follow the earth road for about 2.8 km until you reach an asphalt road. Up to this point, the trail passes through an area with pine trees, providing occasional shade.
Beyond this point, the pine trees are shorter, and the path becomes more exposed. At the junction with the asphalt road, turn left and walk approximately 300 m until you reach the red sign indicating a left turn onto an earth road.
About 700 m later, you will come across a concrete building in a flat area. In the same vicinity, you’ll find a statue of an eagle and a couple of commemorative plaques.
As the locals informed us, a young man used to frequent this spot with his friends. Unfortunately, he committed suicide elsewhere, and in his memory, his parents placed these items in a location he cherished.
From this point, you have a panoramic view of Chamolia and other beaches to the north, as well as the bay of Porto Rafti to the south.
You will pass the concrete building on your right and follow the path marked with red paint on rocks and trees. The markings from this point onward are clear and frequent.
Nevertheless, there will be several points where you have to scramble, usually while descending.
Following the ridge, you will reach four or five consecutive peaks until you reach the one marked by a plastic pole with a red arrow painted on it, indicating a leftward direction.
From that point, the descent begins, steeper than the ascending part.
You will need about 45 minutes to reach the sea, where you’ll be rewarded by the clear blue water of a bay protected from the north winds but exposed to the southern ones.
We had a wonderful time swimming in the warm Aegean waters.
After freshening up and relaxing, follow the marked path on the ground, commonly used by most people to reach the beach directly from Chamolia. In less than 30’ you will be back at the trailhead.
Wikiloc Map for Chamolia
Find in this link the Wikiloc map of the loop trail in Chamolia.
The Archaeological Site of Vravrona
The Sanctuary of Artemis in Vravrona is 3.5 km to the north of Chamolia or a 7-minute drive.
Nestled in the picturesque landscape with pine trees, this sanctuary is dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, wild animals, and fertility in Greek mythology. The site dates back to the 8th century BCE and was a center for worship and celebration.
The artifacts found during excavations, including statues and votive offerings, can be seen at the on-site museum of the archaeological site. You can read a dedicated post on the Sanctuary of Artemis here.
Where to Stay in Chamolia
As the settlement is located relatively near the Athens International Airport, you can combine the hike with a late flight or stay overnight at the nearby 5-star Dolce by Wyndham Attica Riviera.
Vravrona is also close to Rafina, a popular port for island hopping, like Andros or Mykonos.
How to Get to Chamolia
Depending on where you are coming from the distances to Chamolia are:
- 45 km or around 45’ by car from Athens,
- 17 km or around 25’ from the Athens airport.
You can get to Chamolia by public buses (KTEL.gr) but this will significantly reduce the flexibility in visiting the area and the time you can spend here. The best way to visit Chamolia is by renting a car either from Athens airport or from the center.
Popular Tours from Athens
Find in this shortlist a few of my favorite guided tours in Athens. Don’t forget to plan your trip when you are visiting Athens!
- Hills Of Athens Walking Tour
- Brauron/ Artemis, Lavrion, Cape Sounio/ Poseidon Temple (8h)
- 6-Day Private Tour of Olympia, Zagorochoria, Meteora, Delphi
Popular Hiking Destinations in Greece
From the rugged mountains of the Pindus range and Vikos Gorge to the north, to the Menalon Trail in the Peloponnese and the countless islands, hiking in Greece offers a captivating experience.
Did you hike Chamolia Beach? Let me know what you think about Chamolia in the comments; I’d love to hear whether I managed to get it onto your bucket list!
