Myth and the working land — southwestern Arcadia. 251 km of waymarked paths, part of the Peloponnese Trails network.
Arcadia is a place you understand best on foot. The Arcadia Trail spreads across the southwest of the region in two main branches that look at the same landscape from two sides. One climbs from Karytaina to Mount Lykaion, the mountain of Zeus, and on to Vasta and Isaris. The other walks through Falaisia, around Leontari, where the story is told by watermills, stone bridges and the villages of people who farmed and herded this hard ground for centuries.
Much of it follows paths that existed long before anyone painted a waymark on them: the old roads between villages, used by people, mules and flocks.
The trail at a glance
- The Lykaion branch · 42 km — Karytaina → Strongylo → Kotilio → Ano Karyes → Mount Lykaion → Vasta → Isaris. The Frankish castle above the Alpheios, the ash altar of Zeus on the summit, then down through the woods to Vasta and Isaris. Around 3,100 m of climbing in total, so we split it over three days or more.
- The Falaisia branch — Leontari → Dyrrachi → Akovos → Kato Giannaioi, with sections out to Veligosti and Chranoi. Kolokotronis’ mill, the three-arched bridge on the Xerilas and the old villages between the Megalopolis basin and Taygetos.
- The link to Menalon · 43 km — Stemnitsa → Elliniko → Karytaina → Mavria → Kyparissia → Chrousa. Stemnitsa is where the Menalon Trail begins, so the two walks can be joined into one journey.
Distances, sections and GPX tracks: Peloponnese Trails — Arcadia Trail.
A day off the trail
Close to Vasta stands Agia Theodora, the small chapel with seventeen trees growing out of its roof. The sanctuary of Despoina at Lykosoura, with its small museum, sits just below the mountain, and the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae, Greece’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, is a short drive away. In Megalopolis itself is the largest ancient theatre in Greece. More on the mountain: Mount Lykaion.
Prefer it with less climbing? The Castle and the Old Line is four days between Karytaina and Chranoi: a ride beneath the castle, then a walk along the abandoned railway. See the journey →
Walk it with the network
The paths are part of Peloponnese Trails, supported by the Region of Peloponnese. What the network adds is the part a map cannot: where to sleep in Karytaina, Vasta and Isaris, luggage moved from door to door, a transfer when a day runs long, and someone local to call. Planning a walk, or bringing a group? Get in touch.
