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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 18th. You can depart at any time on October 27th. 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 begin 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 the 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

Today our hiking begins as we hike 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. It will be a day of beauty and many stairs. It is suggested that you train for the hike by doing a lot of stairs before you leave for the tour.

Distance: 10.5 Mile

Ascent: 4347 ft  Descent: 4708 ft

Altitude: 1377- 3592 ft

 

Day 4 - Dimitsana to Elati, Overnight Vytina, Art Mainalon or similar - B, L

After breakfast we’ll start on an ancient 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 follow the path to the mountain settlement of Elati. After the hike we'll be transferred to Vytina where we'll spend the next three nights. 

Distance: 12.5 Miles

Ascent: 1186 ft  Descent: 826 ft

Altitudee: 3162 - 3851 ft

 

Day 5 - Elati to Vytina, Overnight Vytina, Art Mainalon or similar - B, L

After two long days of hiking, we'll enjoy a couple of shorter, easier days. We'll transfer back to Elati and begin our hike descending through forested terrain to the riverbed of the Milaon River, where we join a well-defined path along its banks. Following this scenic trail—partly paved, partly natural—we pass the Pirgaki Springs (which supply water to Vytina) and the stone-built Makrinou Fountain.

Continuing for about 970 meters on a dirt road, we reach the area known as Ellinika, just beneath the hill that once hosted the Acropolis of ancient Methydrion. From here, we walk beneath the main road connecting Vytina and Dimitsana and follow an old mule track into Vytina. This segment is one of the richest of the day: we cross the Milaon River under a canopy of riparian plane trees and pass three abandoned watermills nestled in the lush vegetation. It is one of the most beautiful sections of the trail and you just might feel as though you are in an ancient faerie forest. 

Distance: 5.5 Miles 

Ascent: 1397 ft  Descent: -1482 ft

Altitude: 2667 - 3415 ft

 

Day 6 - Vytina - Nymfasia – Overnight Vytina, Art Mainalon or similar - B, L

Today is another shorter day as we resume our hike along the Old Vytina footpath toward Nymfasia. This trail leads us to Mavra Litharia, a striking limestone boulder split in two by the river, forming a short but impressive gorge. We descend to Tzavarenas Bridge, a historic stone structure that once connected Vytina with the western Gortynian villages. The final leg of the trail ascends gently through a rocky landscape of flysch formations covered with Mediterranean shrubs. We gradually reach a height of 2887 ft, and the trail levels off as we approach the charming village of Nymfasia, a lively satellite of Vytina. After the end of the hike we'll transfer back to Vytina. 

Distance: 5.75 miles 

Ascent: 1158 ft  Descent: -2362 ft

Altitude: 2667 - 3415 ft

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Day 7 - Nymfasia - Valtesiniko – Overnight Valtesiniko, Valtesiniko Studios or similar - B, L

We begin our day entering a pleasant oak woodland, descending gently toward the Kernitsa Bridge. From there, the trail ascends toward the Kernitsa Monastery, a striking monastic complex built into the side of a dramatic monolith rock. Next we traverse a dense fir forest until reaching the Sfyrida Hermitage, a peaceful rest stop with a natural spring. After passing the Gavros Spring, we enter the tranquil mountain village of Magouliana where we'll stop for lunch. Crossing the Church of Agioi Pantes, the route leads down through a peaceful valley, tracing a small river. A well-defined old path, once paved, gradually ascends to the charming mountain village of Valtesiniko, known as the village of woodcarvers.

Distance: 10.25 miles 

Ascent: 3625 ft  Descent: -3067 ft

Altitude: 2562 - 4251 ft

 

Day 8 - 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: 9.25 miles 

Ascent: 2765 ft  Descent: 3353 ft

Altitude:3074 - 4517ft

 

Day 9 - Overnight Rafina, Avra Hotel - B, D

We'll have time to explore the town a bit in the morning before we 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 10 - 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.