Thassos is one of the greenest Greek islands, blanketed in pine forest and rising to a genuine mountain interior — its natural landscape functions as the island's real park system.
At 1,204 meters, Ipsarion is the island's highest peak and one of the tallest points in the Aegean relative to its coastline. Marked trails climb through pine and chestnut forest to a summit chapel of Profitis Ilias, with views stretching across the entire island and out to the mainland. It's a serious but rewarding day hike for anyone wanting to see Thassos from above.
The island's interior is covered in dense Aleppo pine forest, crossed by a scenic ring road connecting the mountain villages. Numerous pull-offs offer views down to the coast, and the forest itself — regrown after a series of major wildfires in past decades — is now a defining feature of the island's identity, especially prized for its pine honey.
Tips for Parks & Gardens
- Start the Ipsarion hike early to avoid midday heat and finish before afternoon
- Bring plenty of water — there are no facilities on the trail
- The full island ring road loop takes about 3 hours without stops; budget a half-day with village stops