Kos: Hillside Routes Around Kampos & Kefalos

Kos is an island in the Dodecanese archipelago featuring sandy beaches and a number of Greek & Roman ruins. There’s wonderful running on Kos,. The routes below are in the quieter Kefalos area, featuring panoramic sea views, quiet roads, and plenty of rolling hills. Our thanks to Joylin Nodwell for the route suggestions! See our other Kos post for seaside running near the main town of Kos.

Kefalos Hillside Route. 9 km (5.7 miles) loop, 138m gain. Friend of Great Runs Joylin Nodwell describes this route as one of the most scenic runs she’s ever done…and she’s run in a lot of beautiful places! Starting from Kampos, head south on the unnamed road toward Kefalos. Turn RIGHT in Kefalos on the road that leads to the Castle of Kefalos. This is your long climb — 100m over 2 km. You’ll then be rewarded with a splendid run along a hillside road that skirts the outside of the nature preserve. There are wonderful views. Just past the Pantheon Hotel, you’ll turn down the hill. Note: A loop is 9 km, but Joylin made it 18+ km by coming back along the hillside.

Cross-Island Run from Kefalos Beach to Agios Theologos Beach. 16 km (10 miles) out and back, 327m elev. gain. For a scenic and challenging 10-miler, Joylin suggests this route from Kafalos Beach across the island to Agios Theologos Beach. This is not for the faint of heart — the out and back features two climbs of 160m. But you’ll be rewarded with some beautiful hillside running! Start with a lovely 2 km along a seafront promenade between Onia and Kamar. The turn LEFT on the Epar Od Kefalou road, climbing for 1 km. At the intersection, LEFT on the unnamed road, continuing past the Panagia Palatiani Greek Orthodox Church, and then the Antique Helenistic Theatre. Continue for another 4 km on the road that skirts the Νερόμυλος Καλάμου Park, passing a couple more churches, making your way down to Agios Theologos Beach — where there’s a great restaurant overlooking the sea!