Self-guided hike on the Menalon trail

After breakfast, we leave Stemnitsa, a historic village renowned for its goldsmiths and which was once the seat of the Peloponnesian Senate during the Greek War of Independence of 1821.

The trail winds through the breathtaking Lousios Gorge, one of the most scenic and historically rich routes in the Peloponnese. We begin by traversing peaceful, ancient farmland and descend towards the Church of the Transfiguration of Christ, which offers stunning views of the gorge below.

From here, a paved path leads to the spectacular Prodromos Monastery, built into the cliffside. The monastery is open daily (note: it closes at noon) and features a refreshing fountain in its tranquil courtyard, providing an ideal spot to pause and soak in the serenity of the place. The route continues to the ancient Philosophou Monastery, one of the oldest monastic sites in Greece, founded in 963 AD. A short walk away is the new Philosophou Monastery, founded in 1691, nestled among tall cypress trees and steeped in spiritual heritage.

We then follow an old mule track that crosses stone bridges and picturesque landscapes, eventually arriving in Dimitsana. There, we visit the open-air museum of hydraulic power, where restored watermills bear witness to the region's historical ingenuity in harnessing hydraulic energy.

After breakfast, we leave Dimitsana and gently emerge from the Lousios Gorge. The trail winds between historical sites and reaches a plateau near the Church of St. Paraskevi, offering a view of Dimitsana, Paliochori, and Zatouna in the wooded valley below.

Following a mix of footpaths and dirt tracks, we cross former farmland, pass the Monastery of Santa Apostoli, and walk along a paved path lined with large threshing floors. At the Memorial to the Immortals, we pause to pay homage to the local heroes of the 1821 revolution before entering the proud mountain village of Zigovisti.

From Zigovisti, the trail leads us into the western massif of Menalon, following a ravine and climbing steadily past the Bourniades spring to the Bilali Pass, a historic crossroads. A short detour takes us to the Pliovouni peak (1,643 m). We then cross the Vlachika plateau before descending to the forest village of Elati. From Elati, we will travel to Nymfasia to spend the night.

After an early morning transfer to Elati , you begin your hike, descending through a dense forest towards the Milaon Riverbed . A well-marked trail, alternating between paved and natural sections, guides you along the river. Along the way, you pass the Pirgaki springs , which supply water to Vytina , and then the Makrinou stone fountain .

After approximately 970 meters on a dirt track, you reach the Ellinika area, located at the foot of the hill where the acropolis of ancient Methydrion once stood. You then pass under the main road connecting Vytina to Dimitsana , joining an old mule track leading to Vytina. This particularly scenic section takes you across the Milaon River again, under a canopy of majestic trees, and past three old, abandoned watermills .

After a break at Vytina, you resume your walk towards Nymfasia along the old Vytina trail . You then discover Mavra Litharia , an imposing limestone rock split in two by the river, forming a spectacular little gorge. The descent leads you to the Tzavarenas stone bridge , once essential for trade with the western part of the region.

The final climb, gentle but steady, crosses a rocky flysch landscape dotted with Mediterranean shrubs , before reaching Nymfasia , at 880m altitude .

The day begins with a pleasant walk through an oak forest , with a gentle descent towards the Kernitsa bridge . The path then climbs back up towards the Kernitsa monastery , built on the side of a cliff, impressive for its location and architecture.

Following a beautiful route combining forest paths and tracks, you progress through a dense fir forest to the Sfyrida hermitage (1,000 m), ideal for a break near its natural spring . The climb then resumes towards a junction near Lasta (1,250 m), before traversing the steep slopes of the Kastro along an old balcony path.

After passing the Gavros spring , you enter the village of Magouliana , nestled high in the mountains. Wandering through its narrow streets, you reach a pass to the west, marked by stone threshing floors and offering sweeping views . A gradual descent then leads to the historic Mana sanatorium , via small paths and rural roads.

You pass the church of Agioi Pantes before descending into a peaceful valley, following the bed of a stream. After a concrete bridge , the path runs along the left bank to Kaminia , a small, secluded pool nestled at the foot of Valtesiniko . The final climb, on a well-marked old trail, leads you to the village of the woodcarvers .

From the central square of Valtesiniko , you walk past the impressive stone village school before taking the high ring road, which offers sweeping views across the northern Arcadian plains . A gradual ascent along a footpath and then a short paved section leads you to 1,250m , where the path becomes clearer as it follows the ridge, beneath the remains of the old Byzantine fortress .

The descent to the small rural church of Agia Triada is in the open, offering beautiful panoramic views. You then enter a dense fir forest , crisscrossed by well-maintained paths. A short detour leads to the Grias to Lithari spring , before a gentle climb followed by a descent to the Kria Vrisi fountain . From there, the path climbs again to a pass and crosses a paved road.

The trail continues along a peaceful forest track , following a wooded ridge to the Elatakos area and the vast Grilas clearing , dotted with walnut trees , threshing floors , and shepherds' huts . At the western edge of the plateau, Lagadia comes into view. Passing the Koubliza spring and the old Rapi mills , you enter this village of stonemasons and builders , where the Menalon Trail officially ends, at the war memorial.

Enjoy a final morning in the mountain village of Lagadia , perfect for relaxation and contemplation. It's a chance to reflect on the highlights of your trek and savor the accomplishment of having completed the Menalon Trail , one of Greece's most renowned hiking routes.