Symi: Greece's Next Premier Hiking Destination

Tucked away in the Dodecanese archipelago, the small island of Symi is on the verge of becoming Greece's newest top hiking spot. Far from the bustling streets and the vibrant neoclassical colors of its only town, Symi's old donkey trails offer adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike a chance to explore the island's richly forested interior and meet its remarkably resilient inhabitants.

Walking these ancient paths, travelers like Valantis Makrakis, a local deeply rooted in the community and working at Nireus Hotel, reveal the essence of Symi beyond its picturesque bay. The island, heavily impacted by the ravages of World War II, has seen its population dwindle from 22,000 to about 3,000. Yet, the spirit of the Symians, their sense of community, and their unwavering support for one another paint a vivid picture of a place not just surviving but thriving against the odds.

Symi's hiking trails, once vital lifelines connecting the town to remote monasteries and villages, have fallen into disuse but not oblivion. Valantis, among others, dreams of revitalizing these routes, tracing them with modern technology in hopes of one day offering travelers and pilgrims alike better access to the island's hidden treasures.

The journey from Symi town to the monastery of Panormitis encapsulates the essence of this dream. Traversing the island's interior reveals a landscape marked by time, faith, and the indomitable will of its people. The monastery itself, a bastion of Orthodoxy and a beacon for the faithful, stands as a testament to the island's religious heritage and its role in the wider Dodecanese.

Symi's potential as a hiking destination lies not just in its trails but in the stories of its people, their achievements, and their aspirations. From Valantis' efforts to map forgotten paths to Manolis Petridis' painstaking restoration of the Megalos Sotiris monastery, the island vibrates with the energy of individuals determined to honor their past while forging a new future.

As the world looks for authentic, off-the-beaten-path travel experiences, Symi emerges as a contender, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, historical depth, and community spirit. It's a place where every step tells a story, every path leads to discovery, and every encounter reminds us of the resilience and resourcefulness of the human spirit.