Private Off-Road Tour Marathon Lake and Mountain from Athens

You get to drive the 4x4 yourself on the mountain terrain.

A private off-road tour from Athens that takes you 20 km outside the city center to Marathon Lake and the mountain area in a 4x4 vehicle, with a professional driver-guide leading the way through forest, olive groves and river crossings. The tour runs 4 to 5 hours and includes hotel pickup, water and snacks. You'll have the chance to drive the vehicle yourself under supervision on natural terrain. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the tour runs rain or shine.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private off-road tour near Athens

• Hotel pickup in Athens
• Drive to tour starting point
• Off-road driving through forest and olive groves
• Visit small old church
• Continue off-road to mountain area
• Drive 4x4 vehicle under supervision
• Visit small rivers and streams
• Visit Marathon Lake and Marathon Dam
• Snacks break stop
• Return to hotel

The experience

What makes this different from a standard sightseeing tour is that you're not just riding along. You get behind the wheel of the 4x4 on the mountain's natural terrain, with your driver supervising to keep it safe. The day starts with pickup from your Athens hotel, then a 20 km drive to the tour starting point. From there, the 4x4 takes you off-road through lush forest and olive groves, crossing small rivers and tracks that regular vehicles can't handle. You'll visit a small, very old church tucked into the area, and continue to the far side of the mountain: a spot most tourists never reach because of how far it sits from central Athens.

The Marathon Lake and Marathon Dam come into view as you move through the terrain, and there are breaks built in for water and snacks. When your driver judges the ground is right for it, you take over the controls and drive a section yourself, learning how the 4x4 handles on uneven ground while your guide stays with you. The whole experience runs 4 to 5 hours, and the route works in any weather: rainy, cold or very hot days are all fine for off-road driving.

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Athens are included, along with bottled water, snacks and a professional driver-guide who speaks English. Children from age 4 can come along, though they need to sit on an adult's lap if they're infants. The tour is private, so it's just your group and your driver.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Athens.
• 4x4 vehicle transport and a professional driver-guide who speaks English.
• bottled water and snacks during the tour.
• the chance to drive the vehicle yourself on mountain terrain under your guide's supervision.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Off Road Experience at Athens

Is this one for you?This tour is built for travelers who want to get off the main roads and actually handle a 4x4 on real terrain, not just ride in one: the private vehicle and the driving opportunity are what set it apart from a standard guided tour.

Traveler reviews

4.93★★★★★★★★★★

90 verified traveler reviews

5 ★86

4 ★3

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (4 to 10 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I actually drive the 4x4 myself, or is that just marketing?

You do drive a section of the tour under your guide's supervision on the mountain's natural terrain. Your driver stays with you the whole time to make sure you're safe and comfortable handling the vehicle on the off-road ground.

How far is Marathon Lake from Athens, and how long does it take to get there?

The tour starting point is approximately 20 km from central Athens. The full experience, including the drive out, the off-road sections and the return, runs 4 to 5 hours total.

What exactly will we see on this tour?

You'll drive through forest and olive groves, cross small rivers and streams, visit a small old church in the area, and reach Marathon Lake and the Marathon Dam. The route takes you to the far side of the mountain, which is not on the usual tourist circuit because of its distance from the city center.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Athens, 4x4 vehicle transport, a professional driver-guide who speaks English, bottled water and snacks are all included. The tour is private to your group.

Does the tour run if the weather is bad?

Yes. The tour runs in rainy, cold or very hot weather. Those conditions are actually ideal for an off-road experience, since the 4x4 is built to handle difficult terrain in any season.