Caldera trail from Fira to Oia

The route

It is the walk along the rim of the caldera, from Fira to Oia, with the volcano's flooded crater always on your left. It is about 10 km one way, between 3 and 5 hours depending on pace and stops, with about 300 m of ascent spread over several climbs. It is free and can be done all year. The difficulty is moderate: easy in the first half, more demanding in the second.

Do it in this direction, from Fira to Oia. In the morning you have the sun behind you and the arrival at Oia is flat or downhill. You come back by bus.

Step by step

1. Fira – Firostefani – Imerovigli (about 2.6 km, 30–45 min). You leave the centre of Fira, next to the Orthodox cathedral, and follow the caldera promenade north. It is a cobbled or paved path between hotels and terraces. Firostefani is the last convenient place to buy water and food.
2. Detour to Skaros rock (optional, about 3 km there and back, 45 min each way). From Imerovigli go down to the Skaros promontory, where the medieval castle stood. It is steep and loose stone. The path on the right, among the ruins, is closed for safety.
3. Imerovigli – church of the Prophet Elias (about 2 km, 30–45 min). Imerovigli is the highest point of the caldera rim on the route. The path widens, descends and climbs again. Next to the church there are pines, the only real shade on the whole route.
4. Prophet Elias – Oia (about 5.6 km, 1 h 30–2 h). The paving ends and loose earth and volcanic stone begin, with steep ups and downs. There is a stretch of about 400 m along the shoulder of the main road: walk facing the traffic. The end, in Oia itself, is flat.

Waymarking

There are few signs, especially on leaving Imerovigli, where several paths cross. Satnavs sometimes send you inland. Download an offline map with the route beforehand and keep your phone charged: there is nowhere to charge on the way.

Water, shade and season

In the second half there is no shade or springs, and the stalls that may be near the road open when they like and charge in cash. Buy water in Fira or Firostefani: at least 2 litres per person in summer. Bring a hat, sun cream and something to eat.

The best times are from late April to early June and from mid-September to October. In July and August it can be done, but leave Fira before 7:00: by 10:00 the path is already in the sun and full of people. You can also set out in the late afternoon to reach Oia at sunset; in spring and autumn, check what time it gets dark.

Footwear, children and dog

Wear mountain or trail shoes with a good sole; with sandals or worn trainers you will suffer on the loose stone. It is not for pushchairs or very small children. With children who walk well, you can do just the cobbled stretch from Fira to Imerovigli and go there and back. With a dog, allow for the heat of the ground and the lack of water.

If the weather changes

With a strong meltemi, the wind blows hard on the rim and on the detour to Skaros: keep away from the drops. If the heat catches you out or you get tired, Imerovigli is the last easy point to get back to Fira by bus or taxi.

Back to Fira

The KTEL bus from Oia to Fira costs €2.20 (€2.80 at night) and takes about half an hour; in high season it runs frequently, but after sunset it fills up. Pay in cash. A taxi costs around €25 and is scarce in summer. Timetables at Fira KTEL station.

In Oia you can go down to Ammoudi for lunch, at the Ammoudi Fish Tavern, or have a souvlaki on returning to Fira at Lucky's Souvlakis.