Whenever someone mentions Greece, most of us automatically think of sun-drenched islands, beaches, and blue-and-white villages. Maybe the Parthenon and Athens. All of these are wonderful, but they are very much the ‘tourist’ version of Greece and neglect other parts of the country where ‘real life’ is happening.
The Birth of a New Adventure: H+I Adventures Explores Northern Greece
This desire to move away from the tourist spots and get to know a more authentic side of Greece prompted mountain bike travel experts H+I Adventures to explore northern Greece—Macedonia and Thessaly—for their latest European adventure.
Go from relaxed café culture to lush forested singletrack and monolithic rock formations.
Greece, but not as you know it. No beach umbrellas, no islands, no blue-and-white villages. This is northern Greece, a place of forests, mountains, remote villages, and vibrant city life. It is a place where tourism has yet to leave a big impression, and you can experience authentic local life while riding glorious singletrack.
See the complete Greece mountain bike tour itinerary.
More Than Just Mountains: Immerse Yourself in Local Culture
When planning new tours, the team at H+I Adventures looks for regions that are mainly off the tourist path and/or to which they can travel out of high season to allow local people to be more fully employed throughout the year. This influenced their decision to look at the Macedonia region of northern Greece.
Catherine Shearer, co-founder of H+I Adventures, said:
“We’ve had Greece in our sights for a long time, but finding the right place and partners to work with was challenging.
When we finally found partners in-country and visited the region 18 months ago, we knew this was the right fit for us. We’ve been to northern Greece in May and June now, and each time, wherever we went in the mountains, and even down at the coast of Pelion, we were the only people staying in the accommodations and one of only a few tables occupied in restaurants.
These are family-run accommodations, basic in terms of facilities, but the welcome we received from our hosts and the sense of being part of a real community made for a far richer, more memorable experience than any power shower ever could.”
Thrilling Trails and Stunning Scenery: The Ride of a Lifetime
Of course, the team also values the quality of the trails, particularly for an intermediate+ tour such as this, and Greece has superb singletrack!
Many of the trails featured in this new Greek adventure are hand-built and cared for by a few dedicated local mountain bikers. They carve through oak and pine forests, some are steep and loose, others more technical with rocks and roots.
Then there are the old walking paths, lined with mountain herbs, that hug the coastline and offer views over the water. But perhaps the ultimate trail backdrops are the monolithic rock formations of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These ancient rocks are home to 24 culturally important Eastern Orthodox monasteries dating back to the 14th century, 6 of which are still open to the public.
Meteora is also where you will likely see the most tortoises on the trail!
A Taste of Greece: Savoring Local Cuisine and Wine
Enjoying local food and drink is essential to an H+I adventure, and Greece has a well-deserved reputation for exceptional cuisine.
Starting in Thessaloniki, which boasts more than 5,000 cafés and restaurants, riders will benefit from the insider knowledge of local guides to find the best foodie experiences in the city. As you travel further into the mountains, the food becomes more homely but no less delicious. There’s also a wine tasting at a local vineyard.
Plan Your Adventure: Tour Dates and Pricing
Dates for this new tour have been scheduled for May, June, and September 2025.
The price per person for this 8-day adventure is £2,575, including a local mountain bike guide, 7 nights’ accommodation, all meals except one dinner, a wine-tasting experience, a support vehicle/ shuttle and driver, airport transfers, and Global Rescue emergency services.
Are you inspired? Plan your Greece mountain bike tour.
More Mountain Bike Inspiration: A Single Drop
As mountain bikers, we are not separate from nature but an integral part of it. Every moment outdoors is an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the majestic beauty of the mountains, regardless of the weather. Dan Milner has spent his life embracing this idea.
In “A Single Drop,” we join Dan in the rain-soaked mountains of Scotland, navigating trails amid the wind and rain. He follows a drop of rain downstream, eventually collecting the water in his PRO water bottle. He is part of the ecosystem, interconnected with the elements around him.
Where will that drop of water go next? Dan’s descent down the hillside mirrors the journey of the raindrop, both driven by the pull of gravity.
Rider — Dan Milner
Story, direction & editing — Dan Milner
Videography — Robert Grew
Want even MORE Scottish Highlands goodness from Dan Milner? A train and bike adventure through the Scottish Highlands