A spectacular hike: Mount Skopos and the monastery on the top. Mountain hiking in Zakynthos island

With views over Zakynthos island at sunset and full moon

Mount Skopos (496 m above sea level) is located in the southern part of the Greek island of Zakynthos, on the Vasilikos peninsula. During the spring hiking week in early May, when the island was in full bloom, we discovered a different part of the island every day.

When it was also full moon that week, our guide suggested the 'full moon hike'. That sounded very attractive and exciting, so the whole group enthusiastically agreed to his proposal.

mountain hiking in Zakynthos island

Beautiful views over Zakynthos island and the Ionian sea from Mount Skopos

Sunset over Zakynthos island; views from mout Skopos

So that day we left our accommodation on the edge of Kalamaki around 6 pm for the start of the ‘full moon hike’.

That turned out to be a truly unique adventure: challenging in terms of difficulty and with panoramic views of the landscape, the villages, the hills, the vegetation and the Mediterranean Sea. A steep climb, while the sun slowly set and the moon rose and those surprising views again and again.

After about an hour and a half we reached the top of Mount Skopos. There stands the centuries-old serene monastery with church of Panagia Skopiotissa. And that is very special: it is the oldest church on the island, built before the middle of the 15th century and donated in 1534 to the noble family 'Logotheton', to whom it still belongs. The church is built in the shape of a cross, on the site of an even older temple of Artemis - the goddess of hunting - from Greek antiquity and is surrounded by the ruins of a once flourishing monastery.

Inside you can see frescoes from the late 17th century, icons (including the icon of Panagia Skopiotissa) and a marble iconostasis (an entire wall of icons), carved in the typical Baroque style of the island. And on the floor of the church, carved in stone, is the double-headed eagle. You can find this in more places on the island and it is the symbol of the Orthodox Church and the Byzantine Empire; separation of church and state. Moreover, upon arrival we heard a monk singing religious songs. His dark voice and the acoustics of the building in combination with those centuries-old frescoes, made us almost cry.

After this special experience, a simple but delicious meal was waiting for us at ‘Café Skopos’ (a caravan with an awning and a large dining table in front of it) with salad, eggs, bread and various local cheeses. And of course local wine, which we were a bit careful with in view of the return journey. Starting the descent with porridge in your legs is not a good start.

After this special experience, a simple but delicious meal was waiting for us at 'Café Skopos' (a caravan with an awning and a large dining table in front of it) with salad, eggs, bread and various local cheeses. And of course local wine, which we were a bit careful with in view of the return journey. Starting the descent with 'porridge in your legs' is not a good start.

But the descent in the light of the full moon was spectacular. Especially when after a bend we suddenly had a fantastic view below us over the illuminated bay of Zakynthos town with the harbor and the hinterland.

Carefully and occasionally shining with the light of the phone we reached the foot of the mountain after about an hour. There a bus was ready to take us back to our accommodation. Where we could finally rest and look back on one of the best experiences of this walking week.

Would you like to experience this too? Every spring and autumn we organize a week-long hiking holiday on Zakynthos, together with a local guide who not only knows the most beautiful routes, but also guarantees a special week with his knowledge and personality.

In this video I hope to convey a little of the unique experience of this 'full moon hike':