A circular walk up Mount Zeus from Filoti on the island of Naxos

Start from the bus stop in Filoti.

(S/E) Walk up the main shopping street. Ignore signpost 2 for the summit, which branches off to the left. Further on, a sign on the right – which is hard to spot – points to a steeply sloping road leading to a large free car park (an alternative starting point if you’re travelling by car).
From the car park, take the tarmac road which initially heads due north, then turns west and finally south. Follow this road for a good while until you reach a fork.

(1) Turn left. After 500 m, you’ll reach a road; follow it to the right, heading west.

(2) Follow the path that branches off to the left towards the mill ruins. Continue along this path due south, then south-east.

(3) You’ll come across a lovely fountain, with a terrace and some shade. The path then climbs over the rocks, continuing eastwards. You’ll reach the Grotte de Zeus (closed).

(4) Continue climbing up a gully below the summit.

(5) Leave this gully heading south-east to climb up along the ridge, following the cairns. Continue a little further to the right to reach the summit.

(6) Stunning views. Retrace your steps.

(5) Continue to follow the cairns north-west along a clearly visible track. The path follows the ridge and descends gradually. It is easier going than on the ascent.

(7) When you reach a large cairn, the path branches off to the north and continues to descend gradually.

(8) Pass Levgassa Spring (dry).

(9) Go through a gate, then you’ll soon reach a small road with a car park and a chapel.
Take the road to the left and follow it down through a few bends. Join another road and follow it to the left.

(10) Just before a wide bend, the path branches off to the right. There is some litter. The path is less clearly marked.
It comes out onto a concrete road, which you should take to cross the village. This narrow lane leads to the main road to Filoti and the bus stop (S/E).

You can get to Filoti by public bus from Naxos. Check at the port for timetables. Services are frequent in high season but less so in low season

Very little water and shade.

The climb over the rocks can be gruelling, especially in hot weather.

It is possible to walk directly to the summit and back along a pleasant path from the chapel.

A fortified monastery, accessible 1.5 km from the chapel. It is not always open but is also interesting to view from the outside and offers a beautiful view of the coast.

The village of Filoti is well worth a visit.