From the beach to the mountains: combining sailing and hiking

Sailors, it's time to give those hiking boots a bit of fresh air. How about bringing them along on your next nautical adventure? We've earmarked a few places in the Mediterranean renowned for their breathtaking hiking trails, and you're going to love exploring them on your next voyage.

We've picked out a selection of trails that you can comfortably conquer in a few hours. The best part? They're conveniently accessible from your docking marina or beach. Plus, they're dotted around picturesque seaside towns with local attractions worth a look. Whether in Italy, France, Montenegro, the Balearic Islands, or Crete, follow these age-old trails once trodden by horses and mules. Nowadays, they serve as well-marked footpaths and cycling tracks.

Hiking and sailing are one of the best combinations of holiday activities. Here's a few reasons why they go together so well:

• After spending the day at sea, you can stretch your legs away from the hustle and bustle of crowded port towns.
• The beauty of the coastline is stunning, viewed from both sea level and from elevated viewpoints. Both perspectives offer something special.
• Packing a pair of hiking boots, a rucksack, and some snorkelling gear won't cramp your style on a yacht, and you'll be glad you brought them along, whether you're travelling by car, train, or plane.
• If not all your crew are keen hikers, it's a perfect chance for a bit of alone time and a remedy for any lingering sea sickness.

We've previously shared our top 10 essential apps for sailors, but today we're adding two hiking apps that have helped us in finding trekking routes. One of them is Komoot. What we appreciate about this one is not only the ability to plan your route in detail, but a wealth of pre-planned circuits .

The second app is AllTrails. What we find interesting about it, apart from the basic functions, is the rating of individual places by the users themselves. Want to see if a landmark, beach, bay or viewpoint is worth seeing? Click through photos from those who have visited them before you.

And now for the routes themselves.

Hidden away since the 16th century is the rock monastery of Blaca. Despite being a significant cultural and historical landmark, it's not widely known due to its remote location. However, for the intrepid yachtsman, this isn't an issue. A visit to the interiors is a revelation, with spaces much larger than the exterior suggests. The monastery houses a vast library, particularly rich in astronomical texts, an archive, a print shop, and museums of weapons and clocks. Its crowning jewel is an observatory with a colossal telescope, one of the largest in the Adriatic. For a 7 Euro entrance fee, you can learn about the fascinating lives and work of the monks, primarily in Croatian, but it's worth every penny.

Drop anchor in the Uvala Blaca bay, ensuring there's enough depth, and row your boat to shore. A rocky uphill path will then lead you to the monastery.

• Length: 2.5 km (one-way)
• Elevation: 210 m
• Time: 50 min

Le Tese di Positano is a hiking trail connecting the charismatic Positano with the quaint village of Santa Maria del Castello, complete with a central basilica. Even if you only amble along part of these ancient mule trails, you'll be treated to a spectacular vista of the sea, coastline, and Positano itself.

• Length: 6.5 km
• Elevation: 500 m
• Time: 4 h

The Cinque Terre National Park weaves together a network of 48 hiking trails spanning 120 km. These intertwining trails connect five charming coastal towns, offering opportunities to stretch your legs both on the trails and within the quaint ports of Monterosso al Mare, Corniglia, Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Access to the national park and most of its trails is free, though a Cinque Terre Card is needed for select trails in high season to manage visitor numbers, costing around €7.5.

• Length: 1.3–13 km
• Elevation: 50–550 m
• Time: 0.5–5 h

Monterosso al Mare

Positioned as the westernmost and most expansive town in the region, Monterosso al Mare stands apart from its coastal counterparts. Nestled within a valley and framed by mountains, its landscape is comparatively flat. The town is famed for its beautiful colonnade and an alluring pebble-sand beach, sheltered from the currents below.

Corniglia

Perched on a 100-metre high cliff, Corniglia holds the distinction of being the smallest village on the Cinque Terre coastline. Unique in its setting, it's the only village without a direct route to the sea.

Vernazza

Revered as the most picturesque town on the coast, Vernazza is surrounded by popular hiking trails that draw visitors from far and wide. This influx of explorers leaves the streets bustling during peak season. The town is home to two beaches: a cosy sandy alcove at the heart of the town, and a rocky retreat accessible through a tunnel burrowed into the cliffside.

Manarola

Manarola is among Italy's most cherished destinations. It charms visitors with its sprawling vineyards, historic landmarks, quaint narrow streets, and the allure of nearby hiking trails.

Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore, the largest and easternmost municipality on the Cinque Terre, offers a genuine slice of local life. Here, the year-round residents maintain a vibrant community, outnumbering tourists for the majority of the year, lending a real authenticity to the town.

Sentier du Littoral can be translated as "coastal path". And if you type that phrase into Google Maps, it will show you about 15 trails scattered throughout the Côte d'Azur — from the Sentier du littoral de Saint-Cyr à Bandol near the fishing town of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer to a similar trail on the outskirts of Monaco.

They all have a more or less similar character. They are cobbled or stone paths that wind from towns and beaches up the cliffs, giving you views of the sea and harbours below. Even though the roads are paved, they are still quite old and can be a bit of a pain.

The most famous of these is The Sentier du Littoral, which connects Nice with the town of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. It is about 14 km long and its sections can be combined with adjacent routes. The Nietzsche Trail, for example, is very popular, and the famed philosopher is said to have walked it every day. Starting from the seaside town of Èze, with its medieval ambiance, the trail leads you to Le Jardin Exotique – hillside gardens boasting an extraordinary collection of palms, cacti, and succulents.. The trail is about 2 km long and should take about 40 minutes.

From the top of the Tête de Chien (Dog's Head), you can enjoy a stunning view of Monaco. While some suggest docking at Port Hercule in Monaco and walking through town to reach the peak, marinas at Port de Cap d'Ail or Port de Fontvieille offer closer access if you're pressed for time.

The Camí de Cavalls, or Horse Trail, is an excellently marked and maintained path that winds around the entire Menorcan coastline. Historically, it linked coastal watchtowers and villages. Today, depending on the section you embark on, it could lead you through secluded villages, sun-kissed beaches, dense vegetation, and even challenging remote cliff paths where you could find yourself in complete solitude.

The whole trail spans approximately 190 km and is partitioned into 20 sections. On the official Camí de Cavalls website, you can explore not only the descriptions of all the sections but also their respective elevations. While the choice is yours, it's good to note that:

• Section 20 between Cala de Sant Esteve and Maó offers the most historical landmarks.
• Sections 12 to 15 from Cap d'Artrutx to Son Bou in particular promise beautiful beaches and coves.
• The remains of ancient settlements can be found in sections 8 to 9 from Algaiarens to Punta Nati.

Occupying an entire stretch of Mallorca, the Serra de Tramuntana extends 70 km from southwest to northeast. With its well-preserved natural and cultural heritage, and a network of trails that ascend to over 1,400 m, it's recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Directly from the marina, you can embark on dozens of fascinating tours. We discovered a few intriguing ones through the Komoot app.

For instance, it suggested a tour along the "old olive tree" route (Viejo olivo o). Starting in Port de Sóller, this trail meanders through centuries-old olive groves amongst other sights. Prepare for a 10 km walk with an elevation gain of approximately 280 m. After passing the white lighthouse and Zorro farmhouse, head towards Cap Gros. This loop measures just over 6 km and boasts an elevation gain of 160 m.

Crete is practically synonymous with first-class and remarkable trails, not only in Greece, but across the Mediterranean. Perhaps you've heard of the Samaria Gorge, an extraordinary hike on wooden paved trails through a deep ravine where you'll encounter majestic rocks, diverse wildlife, and even Byzantine-era ruins. While the entire route spans less than 20 km, you might want to reserve a full day or two for this spectacle given the initial descent of some 1,200 m. As an alternative, we suggest trails that can be completed within an afternoon, drawing upon the AllTraills app:

The trail tracing the footsteps of the old monasteries and hermit-inhabited caves has received glowing reviews. It's a roughly 4.5 km trail through a stunning fjord on the Akrotiri peninsula, north of Chania. Besides the sites, it's the panoramic views that truly captivate visitors.

A leisurely, nearly flat trail awaits those who prefer to relax. Visit the enchanting Preveli Beach and follow the watercourse inland. Depending on how far you wish to venture, you may stumble upon a palm grove, an ancient church, or a historic bridge.

Lastly, a walk for the sightseers. Montenegro, more specifically the Bay of Kotor, showcases the legendary slopes that sharply ascend from the sea level. Kotor is one such place. Featuring on our list of the 5 must-visit places in this country, it's recognised not only for its UNESCO-protected historical centre, but also the fortress that soars high above it. About 1,350 steps lead to this fortress. In the peak season, we recommend embarking early, before the sun crests over the surrounding hills. An elevation gain of almost 1,200 metres awaits you.