Menalon Trail

Often considered the most spectacular stage of the trail, this route descends deep into the lush Lousios Gorge. You will trek along ancient stone mule paths, cross the river, and visit the incredible Prodromou and Philosophou Monasteries built directly into the sheer cliff faces. The stage concludes with a walk past the Open-Air Water Power Museum before arriving in the historical town of Dimitsana.

This is a shorter, steady climb that transitions hikers out of the Lousios valley and up toward the outskirts of the fir forests. You will pass important historical buildings, the quaint churches of St. Paraskevi and St. Apostoli, and cross old agricultural fields before reaching Zygovisti and its prominent Immortals Memorial.

A more challenging and remote alpine stretch that takes you across the western Menalon massif. Leaving Zygovisti behind, you will pass the old church of Agios Ioannis, navigate the Bilali Pass, and cross the Koskitsa plateau. The trail skirts Mount Pliovouni before finally descending into the serene, fir-surrounded village of Elati.

This moderate section features a pleasant descent from Elati down to the Milaon riverbed. You will hike along the riverbanks, passing the Pirgaki Springs (which supply Vytina with its water) and the stone-built Makrinou Fountain. The path winds past small bridges and old watermills before bringing you up into the popular mountain town of Vytina.

A relatively easy and highly scenic connector route. After leaving Vytina, the trail takes you through Old Vytina and into the impressive Mavra Litharia (Black Boulders) limestone gorge. You will cross the stone Tzavarenas bridge and enjoy a gentle climb along the flysch slopes until you reach the small village of Nymfasia.

Starting with a walk through a pleasant oak wood, this stage heads downhill to cross the Kernitsa Bridge. From there, you face a steep ascent to the Kernitsas Monastery, a large complex nestled on an impressive monolith boulder. The route then plunges into dense fir forests, passing the Sfyrida hermitage and traversing below the Kastro before arriving at Magouliana, the highest inhabited village in the Peloponnese.

Leaving the “village of loggers,” this moderate hike descends past old stone-built threshing floors and the fascinating, abandoned Mana Sanatorium. The trail wends its way along peaceful stream valleys and through the Kaminia basin before climbing an old path up to Valtesiniko, a village famous for its traditional woodcarvers.

The final stretch is a grand traverse that starts by passing Valtesiniko’s impressive stone school and a Byzantine fortress perched on the ridge. You will hike through sweeping open landscapes, extensive fir forests, and the walnut-filled Grilas meadow. Passing springs and the historic Rapi watermills, the trail finally leads you into Lagkadia, the famous “village of the stone builders,” marking the end of the 75km journey.