Peloponnese unique walking experience
PelM2 Walking / HikingSmall GroupsGuidedEco-tours Ancient CorinthStemnitsaDimitsanaVytinaLagadiaOlympiaKalavryta
8 DAYS
LEVEL 3
Explore a different aspect of the Peloponnese in a unique hiking adventure, following the steps of ancient mountainous tribes who had created a unique civilization close to mother nature that had inspire European art and literature throughout the centuries. For one week you travel and hike through beautiful Mediterranean landscapes, dense forests, imposing gorges, passing by picturesque villages, discover hidden treasures and cultural highlights as well, such as Ancient Olympia; the cradle of the Olympic Games. Live an unforgettable experience in Southern Greece!
ITINERARY
Day 1: Scenic hike on Acrokorinthos, Ancient Nemea and the picturesque town of Nafplio
Early in the morning we leave Athens and travel to the Peloponnese. We stop in Ancient Corinth and go for a scenic walk onto the fortified hill of Acrocorinth; one of the most impressive acropolises in Greece. We continue to Ancient Nemea to visit the stadium of the Nemean Games and Zeus’s sanctuary. We continue to Argolide and visit the picturesque town of Nafplion; first capital of modern Greek state, where we walk through the old city and the fortress of Acronafplia. Late in the afternoon we get transferred to Stemnitsa; a traditional village overlooking the gorge of Lousios River, at an altitude of 1080m, built on the site of the ancient Arcadian city of Hypsous. For the next five days we hike on the certified European path “Mainalon Trail”. Overnight in Stemnitsa.Transfer: Athens – Ancient Corinth – Ancient Nemea – Nafplion – Stemnitsa, 3 h / 244 km approx.
Day 2: Crossing the spectacular gorge of Lousios River
Today you hike through Lousios Gorge! After breakfast, you leave the traditional settlement of Stemnitsa and walking on an old mule path we enter the spectacular gorge. We continue our hike on the old connection path, passing by the Monasteries of Prodromos and Philossophou; impressively built against the vertical cliffs, we pass the open-air hydropower museum and we arrive at Dimitsana; a picturesque historical town at the opposite side of the canyon of Lousios River. We continue hiking over the hills and we eventually arrive at the village of Zygovisti; built on a plateau, at an altitude of 1200 m. Transfer to Dimitsana. Overinght in Dimitsana.Hiking: Stemnitsa – Dimitsana – Zygovisti, 16.7 km / 7h / moderate-demanding
Transfer: Zygovisti – Dimitsana, 9 km / 15 min
Day 3: Hiking through the forest of West Mainalon Mountain
Transfer to Zygovisti. We leave behind this quite village and after a while we enter the West Menalon. Today hike in one of the most remote areas of the Peloponnese. We walk onto shadowed paths and old mule trails, passing by springs, plateaux and saddles and we reach the highest point of the entire Menalon Trail; at about 1550 m. Our hike eventually leads to the village of Elati. Transfer to Vytina. Overnight in Vytina.Hiking: Zygovysti – Elati, 5 h / 14.9 km / moderate
Transfer: Dimitsana – Zygovisti, 9 km / 15 min; Elati – Vytina, 9 km / 15 min
Day 4: A beautiful hike in the gorge of Mylaon
Transfer to Elati. Today we practically follow the Milaon Stream. We walk through lush vegetation, we pass by the acropolis of the ancient Arcadian city of Methydrion, the ruins of watermills and an old stone bridge. We ascent to Vytina and enjoy the view to the gorge of Mylaon before walking down back to the riverbed. We eventually reach the small picturesque village of Nymphasia, where the hike of the day ends. Transfer to Vytina. Overnight in Vytina.Hiking: Elati – Vytina - Nymfasia, 4h30min / 14.1 km / simple-moderate
Transfer: Vytina - Elati, 9 km / 15 min and Nymfasia – Vytina, 4 km / 10 min
Day 5: A modern monastery, a hermitage and the highest inhabited village of the Peloponnese
Transfer to Nymfasia. Through a beautiful oak wood, we cross once more the Milaon Stream and we walk towards Kernitsa Monastery. Through the dense fir forest, we hike to the impressive Sfyrida Hermitage; built against the steep slopes. We continue our hike to reach the picturesque stone village of Magouliana; the highest inhabited village of the Peloponnese, at an altitude of 1240m. Walking through the alleys of this traditional settlement we exit this village and via a path following a riverbed with dense vegetation we eventually arrive at Valtesiniko; another traditional stone village with its impressive churches and a monumental old school building. Overnight in Valtesiniko.Hiking: Nymfasia – Magouliana – Valtesiniko, 6 h / 15.5 km, moderate
Transfer: Vytina – Nymfasia, 4 km / 10 min
Day 6: Changing scenery. Last day on Mainalon Trail
Today we go hiking on a mountainous rural area, passing by points of breathtaking view, especially to the high mountains of the north. After passing by several meadows and walking through the dense fir forest, the scenery radically changes. Abandoned fields, lonely meadows and eroded hills characterize the landscape. We eventually arrive at Langadia; an impressive stone village located in a panoramic position on the brink of a precipice at an altitude of 1000 m. Transfer to Katakolo at the west coast of the Peloponnese. Overnight in Katakolo.Hiking: Valtesiniko – Langadia, 5 h / 13.9 km / moderate
Transfer: Langadia – Katakolo: 90 km / 1h40min
Day 7: The cradle of the Olympic Games. The Oak Forest of Pholoe
Transfer to Olympia (about 30 km) to visit the Archaeological site and the museum. Transfer towards Kalavryta; on the way, walk through the protected ecosystem of the Oak Forest of Pholoe. Overnight in Kalavryta, a small town on a plateau between Mt. Erymanthos and Mt. Chelmos, at an altitude of 735 m, built on the site of the ancient Arcadian city of Kynaitha. Overnight in Kalavryta.Hiking: Oak Forest of Pholoe, 1h30min / 6 km
Transfer: Ancient Olympia - Kalavryta, 2 h / 95 km
Day 8: The Monastery of Mega Spileon. The impressive Vouraikos Gorge. Farwell!
Transfer to the Monastery of Mega Spileon (11 km, 15 min); built into a big cave. After visiting, we walk down to Zachlorou Village and go hiking through the impressive Vouraikos Gorge. We continue on the track of the rack railway till near Diakofto Village on the north coast of the Peloponnese. Here, this beautiful hiking experience in the Peloponnese ends. Swimming possible before returning to Athens. Farewell!Hiking: Mega Spileo – Kato Zachlorou – Diakopto, 4 h 30 min / 14 km
Transfer: Diakopto – Athens, 2 h / 161 km approx
HIKING
- 8 hiking days!- Not intended for professional athletes though a good shape and a certain experience are required.
- Equipment: hiking boots, hiking sticks (very useful), day backpack, raincoat. Depending on the season additional equipment may be recommended.
RATES
From 996 €
April / October: 1017 EUR
May - September: 996 EUR
SERVICES
- All transfers from/to Athens (meeting point)- Accommodation: 7 night in traditional 3* hotels or guesthouses
- Breakfast in the hotels
- Tour Leader for the whole tour
- Luggage transportation where required
- Professional liability insurance
- VAT 24% and all taxes
OPTIONAL SERVICES
- Transfers from/to the airport- Cultural guide for the archeological sites (Olympia and Corinth)
- Additional overnights in Athens or by the sea after the end of day 8
- Single room or triple room
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights to/from Greece- Airport tranfers
- Personal travel insurance
- Other meals than breakfast
- Snacks, drinks, tips
- Overnight city tax (localy paid at the hotel reception)
- Everything is not included in the “services” paragraph
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- Ancient Corinth
- Stemnitsa
- Dimitsana
- Vytina
- Lagadia
- Olympia
- Kalavryta