Lefkes and the Byzantine Path

Lefkes is the village most visitors picture when they imagine inland Paros. It rises on a hillside among pine, olive and cypress trees, a cluster of whitewashed houses and blue-shuttered balconies around the Church of Agia Triada, a grand marble-built church that dominates the skyline. For centuries the village was the island's capital, chosen because its height kept it out of sight of pirates, and it still has the quiet dignity of a place that once ruled. Walk the lanes in the morning and you will find pottery shops, small cafes with shaded terraces, a folk museum and neighbours chatting in doorways. The famous walk from Lefkes is the Byzantine Path, an old footpath of paving stones laid across the hills toward the neighbouring village of Prodromos and on to Marpissa. The route is often described as dating from the Byzantine period and, according to local tradition, was used to carry goods and people between settlements long before the roads arrived. The marble slabs are worn smooth by centuries of feet and hooves, and the path winds between dry-stone walls, fig trees, wild herbs and small chapels. The product linked here is a guided hiking experience on the Byzantine path and the wider old route, so a guide can explain what you are passing and choose a pace to suit the group.

The walk is not demanding by mountain standards, but it is on stone, often downhill and exposed to the sun. Start early in summer, wear shoes with grip rather than sandals, and carry at least a litre and a half of water. Spring and early autumn are the best seasons, when the hills are green or golden and the air is mild. The path can be slippery after rain, and the meltemi wind in July and August can be strong on exposed stretches.

Plan time in the village either side of the walk. Lefkes has some of the island's best tavernas for lunch, serving local cheese, fava, caper salad and grilled meat, and a coffee in the central square lets the legs recover. Look inside Agia Triada if it is open, and spend a few minutes wandering the upper lanes for views over the island to the coast. Bakeries sell sweet treats such as local almond biscuits that make good trail snacks.

Because the product is a guided experience, expect a small group or private format and a duration to be confirmed at booking. Guides usually add stories of the island's trade, the Ottoman and Venetian periods and the wild plants along the way. Without a guide the route is also walkable on your own with a map or a downloaded trail, and a taxi or bus can return you from the end point.

Allow three to four hours including the walk and a village stop. The experience suits couples, active families with older children and anyone who prefers to see the island on foot. Keep a swimsuit in your bag if your route ends near a beach.