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Tour Director - Becky Edwards

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Minimum: 6

Maximum: 12

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You will fly in and out of Athens International Airport. You should arrive by 3 pm on October 27th. You can depart at any time on November 4th. If you'd like to spend some time in Athens, please let us know and we will be happy to help make the arrangements. 

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Day 1 - Overnight Rafina, Avra Hotel - D

After arriving into the Athens Airport you’ll catch the hotel shuttle to the Avra hotel where we’ll spend the first night. The tour will officially start when we enjoy our Welcome Dinner at a local seaside restaurant. 

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Day 2 - Overnight Stemnitsa, Mpelleiko Guesthouse or similar - B, D

After breakfast and checking out, we will transfer to Stemnitsa, a beautiful mountain village where our hike begins. In addition to the natural beauty and the fascinating history, the area is well-known for its silversmithing and goldsmithing schools. You’ll have time to explore some of their workshops and perhaps find a piece to take home. In the evening we’ll meet up at a local taverna for dinner as a group. 

 

Day 3 - Stemnitsa to Dimitsana (the Lousios Gorge). Overnight Dimitsana, En Dimitsana or similar - B, L

After breakfast, our hike will cross the famous Lousios Gorge. We’ll cross old farmlands, pass through the church of the Transfiguration of Christ and admire the view of the Gorge before going onto the paved path that leads to the Prodromos Monastery nestled into the gorge’s walls. We continue to the Old Philosophou Monastery (dating to 963) and then to the New Philosophou Monastery (founded in 1691). Next we traverse to Dimitsana crossing interesting bridges towards the Open Air Water-Power Museum (famous for its water-powered mills) that made the fame and wealth of Dimitsana. We’ll stop along the way for a picnic lunch. 

Distance: 7.7 Miles Time: 5 hours

Ascent: 4347 ft Descent: 4708 ft

Altitude: 1377- 3592 ft

 

Day 4 - Dimitsana to Elati, Overnight Elati, Elati Chalet or similar - B, L

After breakfast we’ll head back out and take an anciet footpath that ascends gently and arrives on the first plateau offering splendid views of the basin of the Lousios river with the settlements of Dimitsana, Paliochori and Zatouna standing proud in the wooded landscape. We’ll pass by the small monastery of St. Apostoli as we make our way to Bygovisti.  We’ll pass through the Immortals Memorial, commemorating the guard of Theodore Kolokotronis, leader of the 1821 Independence War, before entering the center of Zigovisti. The Zigovisti–Elati section will take us to Bilali Pass, an important section of old paths that connected Radou and Stemnitsa. From Bilali Pass we ascend to the saddle between Pliovouni and Fragovouni then following the path to the mountain settlement of Elati.

Distance: 11 Miles Time: 7 hours

Ascent: 1186 ft Descent: 826 ft

Altitudee: 3162 - 3851 ft

 

Day 5 - Nymfasia, Overnight Nymfasia, Nymfasia Resort or similar- Vytina - B, L

The route descends from Elati to the riverbed of the Milaon River, where it meets the traditional riverside path. We’ll pass by the water-drilling rig of the Pirgaki Springs (that supplies Vytina with water) and then the stone built Makrinou Fountain. We’ll work our way to Ellinika (under the hill where the acropolis of the ancient city Methydrion was located). Hiking under the main road linking Vytina to Dimitsana we follow a gentle old mule track to Vytina. This part is the richest section of the route, passing by three consecutive abandoned watermills. From Vytina we continue on the route leading to Nymphasia through the Old Vytina footpath that leads to Mavra Litharia, a massive limestone boulder in the riverbed of Milaon River (the stream cut this massive boulder in half creating a short yet impressive gorge). We will end our hike in Nymphasia, a small yet lively satellite of Vytina.

Distance: 8.8 Miles Time: 4.5 hours

Ascent: 2555 ft Descent: -3230 ft

Altitude: 2267 - 3415 ft

 

Day 6 - Nymfasia – Magouliana - Valtesiniko, Overnight Valtesiniko, Thea Valtesiniko Guesthouse or similar - B, L

Today we start with a trail leading to Kernitsas Monastery — a large monastic complex nested in an impressive monolith boulder, followed by Sfyrida Hermitage. Passing the Gavros Spring we’ll enter the small settlement of Magouliana working our way to a point of splendid views, surrounded by stone threshing floors, descending toward the old sanatorium (known as the Mana Sanatorium). The route continues along an ancient footpath to the village of Valtesiniko - the village of woodcarvers. 

Distance: 9,6 miles Time: 6 hours

Ascent: 3624 ft Descent: -2362 ft

Altitude: 2562 - 4251 ft

 

Day 7 - Valtesiniko – Lagadia,  Overnight Lagadia, Lagadia Resort or similar - B, L, D

We’ll first pass by the impressive stone-built school and views overlooking the northern plains. We gain altitude  and hike along the ridge viewing the byzantine fortress of Valtesiniko, then descend to the small country church St. Triada through open landscapes and stunning views. We’ll work our way though a wooded ridge to Elatakos and on to the great Grilas meadow with walnut trees, threshing floors and huts. On the western edge of this zone you’ll see Lagadia Passing. We will walk by the small Koubliza Spring and the impressive complex of Rapi Watermills, entering Lagadia - the village of the stone builders. Here we’ve come to the end of the Menalon Trail. We’ll spend a bit of time exploring the village before celebrating our traverse with dinner at a local taverna. 

Distance: 8.1 miles Time: 5 hours

Ascent: 2765 ft Descent: 3353 ft

Altitude:3074 - 4517ft

 

Day 8 - Overnight Rafina, Avra Hotel - B, D

Today we’ll leave this gorgeous area of Greece and head back to the coast. We’ll be transferred to the seaside town of Rafina where we’ll check into our hotel and have a bit of free time. In the evening we’ll enjoy dinner as a group and toasting +our great adventure.

 

Day 7 - Fly back to the USA

After breakfast, you’ll catch the hotel shuttle according to your flight time. 

 

Note: The itinerary is descriptive, not definitive and is subject to change. In particular our actual itinerary will depend on the ferry and flight schedules, which vary from year to year. There also may be modifications due to weather and availability of local activities and guides.