Menalon Trail Pilgrimage Tour

After arriving in Athens, you will find your way to the central square in Stemnitsa, a stunning village perched in a valley on the Peloponnese Peninsula. When you arrive, you can visit the Menalon info centre in town to get a brief orientation on the week ahead.

Settle into your accommodation and take some time to wander this enchanting village.

Begin the trek along the Melanon Trail with a zigzag path leading out of Stemnitsa. Take some time and detour to the Prodromos Monastery built into the cliffside near the village. Continue through a gorge, passing two more ancient monasteries. Through aromatic vegetation, you climb the bank of the Lousios River extending to Dimitsana. Cross a bridge, and the Open-Air Water Power Museum will come into view. Near here is Dimitsana, your destination for the night.

Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your guesthouse in Dimitsana before trekking to the next town. On today’s journey, footpaths and dirt roads lead you among wooded landscapes and pastoral scenery. You’ll get spectacular views as you hike up, down, and around the Lousios basin.

Stop for a break in a small hamlet to refuel, then continue along the Western Menalon massif, where you will have the option to climb to the summit of Pliovouni, the tallest peak along the route at 1643m. After, you will descend to the mountain town of Elati to find your home for the night.

In the morning, you can choose to visit a local woodcraft shop, before descending from Elati toward the banks of the Mylaon River. Here, you will pass the Pirgaki Springs that supply nearby Vytina with water, taking a short break before continuing on.

After, you will leave the valley behind and zigzag uphill along a path carved into rock, making your way to the Artotsi Fountain. Nearby is the Agia Paraskevi church, from which you have great views over the valley and mountain. From here, you will travel along quiet paths to reach Vytina.

From Vytina, you’ll head back to the Artotsi Fountain and descend into the Mylaon Valley, following the river north to reach Zarzi Bridge. After taking in the views, you will ascend to Old Vytina to meet back up with the Menalon Trail.

The trail will descend into a gorge and ascend through shrub and rock, leading you through oak and spruce forests to reach Nymfasia, the small village where you’ll sleep tonight.

Fuel up on breakfast on your last day of this tour. Begin the day walking above Valtesiniko for wonderful views of where you just spent the night, then push on to an open meadow. Highlights today include a Byzantine fortress and a gorgeous church. The second leg of the trail leads through pine forests, ascending and descending, challenging your legs. When you see watermills come into view, you’ll know you are close to your final destination, Lagkadia, where the Menalon Trail ends.

Find your hotel and celebrate your accomplishments with a local brew in a tavern.

Once you’re finished breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel and the tour comes to an end. Pack up and continue on your way, knowing you just completed a stunning mountain trail across the Peloponnese Peninsula.

Once you’re finished breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel and the tour comes to an end. Pack up and continue on your way, knowing you just completed a stunning mountain trail across the Peloponnese Peninsula.