The Menalon Trail Hiking Tour

Upon arrival in Stemnitsa, settle into your hotel and in the evening, get ready for an introductory meeting with a guide in the reception area of your hotel followed by a welcome dinner.

From Stemnitsa, cross the famous Lousios Gorge to get to Dimitsana. En route, cross old farmlands and admire the view of Lousios gorge. Continue towards the Old Philosophou Monastery dating to 963 AD, then to the New Philosophou Monastery founded in 1691.

Afterwards, via an old mule track, traverse to Dimitsana passing through interesting bridges, heading towards the Open Air Water-Power Museum famous for its mills that in the past created the wealth of Dimitsana.

Ascend from the Lousios Valley to the outskirts of the fir forest. Climb to the church of St. Paraskevi. This location offers splendid views of the median basin of Lousios river with the settlements of Dimitsana,
Paliochori and Zatouna standing out in the wooded landscape. Just after passing through the Immortals Memorial, the guard of Theodore Kolokotronis, leader of the 1821 Independence War, we enter the center of Zigovisti. The memory of the battles, the sacrifices, and the heroes of the Greek independence war of 1821 have imbued this small yet historically significant village with a great sense of patriotic pride.

The Zigovisti – Elati section straddles the Western Menalon massif. The trail heads through a beautiful ravine to Bilali Pass, an important node of old paths that connected Radou and Stemnitsa. From Bilali Pass you ascend to the saddle between Pliovouni and Fragovouni (a short cut leading to the peak of Pliovouni at 1,643 meters, the highest peak of this route). Then, following a steep path, enter Vlachika Plateau and follow the path to the mountain settlement of Elati.

The route descends from Elati to the riverbed of the Milaon River, where it meets the obvious pathway situated on the banks. Walk towards Vytina on one of the most scenic sections of the route; moving across Milaon River in high riparian vegetation of plane trees and passing by three consecutive abandoned watermills.

Leave Vytina and continue to Mavra Litharia, a massive limestone boulder in the riverbed of Milaon River that the stream cut in half, creating a short yet impressive gorge. Then, start descending to Tzavarenas’ bridge, which gains altitude in a unique rocky landscape made of flysch covered with shrubs, reaching an altitude of 880 meters and reaching horizontally towards Nymphasia, a small yet lively satellite of Vytina.

Begin today in a pleasant oak wood, ascending to the Kernitsas Monastery, a big monastic complex nested in an impressive monolith boulder. Cross a dense fir forest and arrive at Sfyrida Hermitage, a nice place to rest with a spring. From Sfyrida, hike to Magouliana and continue to the saddle west of the village, which has a great view.

Descend toward the old sanatorium, known as the Mana Sanatorium, then along a river to Valtesiniko.

From Valtesiniko square, pass by the impressive stone-built school, then climb up to 1,250 meters, where the footpath runs along the ridge where a Byzantine fortress is nested.

Descend through open landscapes with stunning views. The next part of the route traverses an extensive fir forest to the great Grilas meadow, full of walnut trees. On the western edge of this zone, see Lagkadia Passing by the small Koubliza Spring and the impressive complex of Rapi Watermills. Enter Lagkadia (the village of the stone builders) and conclude the Menalon Trail. Time to celebrate!

Today your adventure comes to an end. Safe travels back home!