Off the Beaten Trail is an alternative tourism business based on Naxos island which offers private guided outdoor tours. Our experienced team operates the whole year round and is able to organize adventure trips from the majestic Cycladic islands  and other parts of Greece

We are proud to be able to offer a variety of locations and activities. Whether you enjoy hiking, mountain biking, back packing, sailing or even scuba diving, we have you covered! Whether you are an experienced outdoor enthusiast or you simply love nature, mountains, sea and you have a basic fitness level, this outdoor activities holiday is ideal if you wish to discover a lesser known side of Naxos and the mainland!

Our team consists of experienced and certified guides, nature lovers and strong supporters of sustainability and environmental protection who know these corners of the world like the back of their hand.

Our goal and top priority is to provide a safe experience which meets your expectations and stirs within you the same love, caring and passion for nature and the great outdoors that our guides possess. And of course in a small, private group.

We make the difference! We don't just offer an experience, but a specialized tour leader that will guide you with all the activities. One day excursion or more, we can show you all the hidden gems and get to experience these parts of Greece as a local.

Private Half Day & Sunset Sailing

*All the sailing/cruising excursions are held aboard luxury Lagoon Catamarans and Mario as your skipper.

Half day sailing/cruising
Come sail with us into crystal blue waters, gorgeous sandy anchorages, stunning seascapes and turn your holidays into a lifetime experience!
Duration: 5h (09.30-14.30 & 15.00-20.00)

Sunset sailing/cruising
Sunset is amazing in Cyclades, and what is a better way to enjoy it than aboard a sailing boat. Relax & enjoy the stunning view as the sun dips in the endless sea, creating a magnificent prospect of colors.

Duration: 3h (18.00-21.00)

We provide: 
Towels
Traditional lunch
Local wine and beverages

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Hiking Southern Caves

This full day adventure begins with a 1.5h drive from the  west to the east coast of Naxos, through breathtaking landscapes and beautiful villages. We end up at Panermos bay, the most secluded place a car can take you. Palm trees and crystal clear water are the first things that will catch your eye in this remote beach. An ideal spot sheltered from the strong north winds (meltemi). You guessed right, it is time for a swim!

Soon we are on our way and  we hike on one of the most picturesque trails of the island. Next to the sea side, a bit rocky, through thick bushes and pebble beaches. And all these with the constant amazing view of the small Cyclades islands (both Koufonisi islands, Schinousa and Iraklia). After a few kilometers we take a short detour from the main trail in order to visit Androus cave, a deep cave on the base of the mountain! We return to the trail and continue on the same landscape till we reach the small bay where Rina's sea cave is located. Cliff diving in the turquoise water and swimming in this 30 meter (100ft) long sea cave are the highlights of our final destination.

On the way back we will not hike, but we'll get aboard a traditional Cycladic wooden boat that will take us back to Panermos bay. Our day will be over with a traditional lunch in one of the villages on our way back to Naxos town.

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Hiking King's Throne

Mount Zeus or Zas as locals like to say, is the most iconic and the highest mountain on Naxos and all the Cycladic islands (1004m/3294ft). People named the mountain after the king of the Olympian gods, who according to the greek mythology, was raised exactly there! On the way to the top, hikers can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea and the neighboring islands. On a clear day the view can reach till the coastline of Turkey and Santorini! Moreover the slopes of this mountain are rich in flora and fauna, which is why it is a frequent place for botanists and birdwatchers that have a great chance to observe the famous and protected vultures of Naxos flying around Mt.Zas.

The certified guide will pick you up from your accommodation and this full day adventure begins with a half hour drive (from Naxos town) through the stunning naxian countryside! The hike begins and ends at the largest village of Naxos, Filoti. It is a loop trail that can be hiked in two ways! It is an easy/moderate difficulty hiking trail, almost 5km/3.1 miles to the top and elevation gain of 605m/1985ft. On the peak of Zeus we get the chance to enjoy a breathtaking 360° view and a delicious snack ! On the way down (another 5km/3.1 miles) and on the western side of mount Zeus , we also get the chance to visit the deep cave of Zeus. A place that exhibits unique geological interest with imposing stalactites and stalagmites and of course the local species of microbats! A little bit further down, we will quench our thirst with the fresh water that comes out straight from the mountain in the middle of the serene green oasis of Aria spring!

Back to Filoti and to the van!

***An easier and shorter out-and-back trail option is also available! Ask for Agia Marina-Mt. Zeus-Agia Marina

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A Journey Of Culture, Tradition And Education Through The World Of The Honeybees!

Starting point is the oldest quarry in Greece, Flerio. Flerio is also the location where the ancient sanctuary of the water springs and the entry point of an ancient Naxian aqueduct have been found. In this fertile area, which is full of sycamore trees, olive groves, citrus trees and herbs of all kinds, two ancient statues are lying still for thousands of years. One is called Kouros of Farangi, a 5.5m/18ft long  statue dating from early 600BC. The other one, Kouros of Flerio, lies in the shade of a rural garden and is 6m/19.6ft long and was probably made around 570 BC.

After visiting these two creations from antiquity, we head to Mili village. Mili village has the same verdant and fertile landscape, with running water that creates numerous small waterfalls. At that point we will make an 1 hour educational break. We’ll get to meet a local apiarist(bee keeper) expert and we get the chance to discover the craft of beekeeping, observe how a colony works through a transparent Beehive and learn about bee's major role in every aspect of our ecosystem! In the end we will taste various kinds of organic honey, pollen and propolis!

After this huge dose of energy and knowledge, we slowly take the way back and we end up to our starting point.

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Naxos Crossing// Multi-Day Hiking And E-Biking

Join us on this unique multi-day adventure and let us look together into the soul of Naxian nature and its wonders!

Naxos island is the biggest of the Cycladic islands, with high mountains, mesmerizing beaches and stunning nature. Naxos has plenty to offer and show to its guests. Archaeological sites, caves, ghost villages, magical trails,  challenging scrambles, relaxing strolls, settlements that have kept their traditional ways, places that radiate all the authenticity of Naxos AND delicious local cuisine! …as long as you can find the right way of course, especially when you have only a limited amount of time, the best way to explore this unique island is Naxos Crossing!

Naxos Crossing is a 2 to 3 days adventure that will give you the chance to get a real feel for the island. A flexible/customized combination of hiking and e-biking, from the west to the east and from the north to the south of the island, that is suitable for everyone with a basic fitness level!

During the day we'll get to explore inland's magical landscape, monuments and hidden gems. Every evening we will enjoy our dinner and stay overnight at a different traditional village.***

*** In case you have already booked your accommodation for your time on Naxos, we will return every evening to your hotel and the next day we will begin our adventure from where we left it!  In this case, accommodation expenses will be deducted from the excursion's total amount.

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We can also do custom programs combining all of the above and anything else you would like to do for the day or more. Be sure to ask us about our trips to Crete, Samothraki and the Mountains of Norther Greece.

Our Team

Marios Poulios
certified outdoor activities guide

Mario was born and raised in central mainland, the heart of the Greek countryside that is surrounded by imposing mountains. He studied agricultural sciences and continued with his master's degree in Aquaponics emphasizing on pesticide free food production and environmental protection. Being an athlete and martial artist for the biggest part of his life combined with his interest for nature and environment  led him to become a passionate outdoor enthusiast. Mountain running, backpacking, hiking/trekking, rock climbing, sailing and scuba diving are some of his passions. He is an experienced, certified hiking as well as sea guide and he is also a certified first aid rescuer and rescue diver.

Currently Mario also works as a professional skipper and he is a Divemaster trainee. Through all these years he has earned great experience guiding literally thousands of people on the mountains and aboard sailing boats! He has been a hodophile from a young age, lived abroad many years and has performed as a musician all over Europe. More than 15 years he lives on Naxos island and literally knows every spot of the area, both on land and sea!

Danae Tsadila
certified outdoor activities guide

Danae is a native Athenian. Her educational background begins with a Bachelor in Business Administration Management, followed by a Master's degree in Tourism Destination Management (NHTV University of Applied Sciences, Breda, The Netherlands).

Danae decided to follow her dream and devote herself in the responsible tourism. She conducted fieldwork research on major tourism issues and trends in Sydney (Australia), Chiang Mai (Thailand) and Bali (Indonesia), as well as individual research on ecotourism in Greece. She also holds three certificates in aviation security, safety and management systems.

Danae's travel bug took her to 30 countries around 4 continents, accumulating magnificent memories such as rafting in Manso Rio (Patagonia, Argentina), hiking in Tongariro National Park (New Zealand), kayaking in Sri Lanka, partaking in wood handcrafting in Myanmar and traveling on a boat through Tonga islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Christos Papagiannakis
certified outdoor activities guide

Christos was born in Elati, a mountainous village on the Pindus range, and raised in Trikala. He completed his studies in Tourism Management on Rhodes island and after a few years of travelling he decided to return to his birthplace and create the first hiker's friendly guesthouse in the area.

He is a passionate and experienced winter sports enthusiast who loves ski mountaineering, alpinism and hiking. Christos often takes part in numerous volunteering activities, especially in hiking trails maintenance and has also helped with organizing mountain trail races as well as environmental protection events.