Imagine perfect walking conditions – mountains, coastline, open views, forest walks, not too hot for walking but warm enough for sea swimming – Pelion has them all. The Lost Unicorn Hotel in Tsagarada on Pelion’s North East coast is an ideal base to walk from.

Pelion is a mountainous peninsula of the Thessaly region with the Aegean Sea to the east and the almost landlocked Pagasitic Gulf to the west. Mount Pelion with an altitude of 1600 metres, offers skiing and winter walking during the winter months and spectacular sea views.

Its foothills are covered with magnificent chestnut and plane trees. During the spring and summer, olive groves and orchards of apples and pears create a green backdrop to the unspoilt beaches and fishing villages of the Aegean coast.

The cascading waterfalls and natural spring water from the mountains keep the area lush and green all year round.

There are twenty-four traditional mountain villages, with rich cultural history and unique architectural style kept intact and unspoilt.

There are rocky coves, hidden beaches inaccessible except by foot or small resorts with longer sandy beaches and fishing harbours with small tavernas.

Footpaths – The area is criss-crossed with well-marked footpaths many of which follow old mule tracks. These are called kalderimi and are often cobbled, some parts of the track are quite steep but mostly they contour round the hillsides linking the mountain villages with each other and with seaside fishing villages.

Routes – There are plenty of walks of all levels from The Lost Unicorn Hotel and maps and guides are available.

Weather and clothing – Spring and autumn are good seasons for walking although summer temperatures rarely rise higher than 30-35 C in July and August.

Lightweight walking boots are sufficient for walking along the cobbled tracks. Shorts, t-shirt and sun-hat with a “just in case” waterproof and jumper tucked into your rucksack together with swimsuit and towel.