Walking in Peloponnese: Menalon Trail

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Day 1: Arrival Stemnitsa

Arrival in Stemnitsa from Athens or Kalamata airport. There are many restaurants, taverns, and cafes, and you will also have the chance to visit the Menalon trail office in the village’s central square for a briefing before setting off on your hike.

• Accommodation: Guesthouse Tsarbou (Stemnitsa)
• The guesthouse is situated in the centre of the village of Stemnitsa. The local tavern is just a few steps away.

Day 2: Stemnitsa to Dimitsana | 12.5km

Start your hike from Stemnitsa after a lovely breakfast. The picturesque path zigzags down into the valley. Follow an old mule track to the impressive Prodromos Monastery, hanging on the high cliffs. Visit the monastery and continue along the path that traverses the gorge. Ascend to the Old Philosophou Monastery before continuing to the ‘New’ Philosophou Monastery. Follow the Lousios River’s course through lush vegetation towards Dimitsana, cross the river via the Tzani bridge, and come to the interesting Open-Air Waterpower Museum. In the area around it, you will find the watermills and gun powder mills that made the fame and wealth of Dimitsana, a town built on the ruins of ancient Theftis.

• Walking for the day:  12.5km, 5h, ↑830m ↓950m
• Accommodation: Xenonas Theonimfi (Dimitsana)
• A traditional guesthouse, now completely refurbished, combining traditional and modern elements. The owners Thefi and Irini offer genuine hospitality. The four rooms in the house are spacious with earthy and warm colours, traditional windows with interior wooden shutters. The baths have a whirlpool bath or hydro-massage cabin with steam bath place and hairdryer.

Day 3: Dimitsana to Elati | 19km

Prepare for a long but extremely rewarding hike. Start with a gentle ascent from the Lousios valley to the outskirts of the pine forest. Enjoy splendid views over the Lousios river from the church of St. Paraskevi, with the settlements of Dimitsana, Paliochori and Zatouna standing out against the wooded landscape. Continue via footpaths and dirt roads through old agricultural fields to the mountain village of Zygovisti, which played an important role in the Greek War of Independence war of 1821. After a break at the local café, the route continues and straddles the Western Menalon massif. Pass the beautiful ravine to the country church of Agios Georgios and adjacent spring and follow the route uphill through dense forests to the Bilali Pass. Consider ascending to the Pliovouni summit, the highest peak of this route at 1643 m. Descend via small roads and paths, passing fountains and chapels, to the tiny mountain settlement of Elati.

• Walking for the day: 19km, 7h, ↑900m ↓690m
• Accommodation: Anagnostou Homestay (Elati)
• In the tiny remote village Elati, you will stay in the private house of the family Anagnostou. Mrs Vana will take excellent care of you. She speaks English – a unique opportunity to get to know the locals.

Day 4: Elati to Vytina | 8.5km

After breakfast, visit the woodcraft workshop before descending from Elati to the riverbed of the Mylaon River. Pass the Pirgaki Springs, followed by the stone fountain of Makrinou, which is a nice place for a short break. Further along the river, the vegetation becomes even lusher, and you find yourself surrounded by tall plane trees. Walk past abandoned watermills, cross a nice wooden bridge, leave the valley and walk uphill via a rocky path to the Artotsi Fountain. Nearby is the Agia Paraskevi church, from which you have great views over the valley and mountain. Shortly after, you will reach the picturesque village of Vytina.

• Walking for the day: 8.5km, 3h, ↑235m ↓380m
• Accommodation: Aiora Suites (Vytina)
• The small guesthouse offers 12 spacious rooms and a large public living room with a beautiful fireplace and large windows. The breakfast is excellent with many local delicacies and fresh products.

Day 5: Vytina to Nymfasia | 10km

Today’s route starts from Vytina and takes you back to the Artotsi Fountain. Descend via the zigzagging path into Mylaon River valley. Pass the beautiful single arched Zarzi bridge and ascend to Old Vytina. Here you are back on the Menalon Trail, where the massive limestone boulder in the Mylaon River’s riverbed has created an impressive gorge. Cross a second stone bridge and descends into another gorge before ascending gently through rocks and shrubs. The trail takes you to the small village of Nymfasia and your accommodation next to Kernitsas Monastery through oak and spruce forests.

• Walking for the day:  10km, 3h, ↑400m ↓580m
• Accommodation: Agropoli (Nymfasia)
• The Agropoli guesthouse consists of 8 separate houses, each offering a one or two-bedroom apartments. The breakfast is being served in the central building and is prepared by the family. The views from the complex are breathtaking, and because it is located outside the village of Nymfasia, you really experience the peacefulness of the countryside.

Day 6: Nymfasia to Valtesiniko | 15.5km

Start your walk by crossing the Kernitsa Bridge. From there you ascend via a steep path to the Holy Monastery of Kernitsas, one of the oldest monasteries in Greece. Continue through a dense pine forest and arrive at the Sfyrida Hermitage. Traverse the long steep slope of Kastro, passing the Gavros Spring, before entering the small settlement of Magouliana. At 1,250 m this is the highest inhabited village in the Peloponnese. Take a break at a local tavern before leaving Magouliana behind. Follow the path along a riverbed to the village of Valtesiniko, well-known for its woodcarvers.

• Walking for the day:  15.5km, 6h, ↑465m ↓900m
• Accommodation: Valtesiniko Studios (Valtesiniko)
• Valtessiniko Studios are built in Valtessiniko, at an altitude of 1 150 m. The complex offers 10 2-storey units, each with warm and homely decor and fitted with Coco-Mat mattresses. All rooms include a seating room with fireplace, and their private balconies enjoy scenic views of the slopes of Mainalo and the snowy top of Helmos.

Day 7: Valtesiniko to Lagkadia | 13.9km

Today’s hike starts by following a footpath along a ridge to the Byzantine Fortress of Valtesiniko, perched high in the mountains. Enjoy the stunning views of the small country church of Agia Triada. The route now traverses an extensive pine forest, and you gain some altitude before descending again to the Krya Vrysi fountain. Continue through fields and past a small spring to finally come to the Rapi Watermills, on the outskirts of Lagkadia.

• Walking for the day:  13.9km, 5h, ↑600m ↓780m
• Accommodation: Hotel Kentrikon** (Lagkadia)
• Hotel Kentrikon belongs to the well-known Maniatis family in Lagkadia. The family runs a tavern as well. The hotel is built in a modern style and offers great service and an extensive breakfast buffet. It is conveniently located in the centre of the village near the central square and crafts shops.

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast, your arrangement comes to an end. Travel to Athens or Kalamata Airport. Extra night in Athens available upon request.

Click to view default hotels

• Guesthouse Tsarbou (Stemnitsa) – double rooms only
• Xenonas Theonimfi (Dimitsana)
• Anagnostou Homestay (Elati)
• Aiora Suites (Vytina)
• Agropoli (Nymfasia)
• Valtesiniko Studios (Valtesiniko)
• Hotel Kentrikon** (Lagkadia)

• Optional extra nights in Athens, Hotel Acropolis Hill*** (before or after the tour)

*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.