Mainalon Trail guided walking holiday
- Mar - Nov
- Small Groups
- 7 days
- Customizable
"Hike the 75km Menalon trail ranked among the Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe"
Gallery
The Menalon Trail is a long-distance hiking route which runs between Stemnitsa and Lagadia, two picturesque mountain villages in Arcadia, on the Peloponnese peninsula. It’s a 75km route which is a lot more off-the-beaten track than a lot of hiking in Greece, and takes hikers from the top of towering mountains to the bottom of deep gorges, passing ancient monasteries, traditional villages and glistening rivers.
Ranked among the Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe, the Menalon Trail, it is one of 14 trails certified by the ERA – the European Ramblers Association. The certification process considers environmental protection and careful maintenance.
Split into eight sections, the Mainalon trail can either be completed in full or broken down! In each of the sections, Menalon Trail offers you not only a path to discover nature, but also a path to the Arcadian history, culture and geography. Prepare yourself for unique cultural monuments, scattered ancient fragments, castles, bridges, and sacred monasteries…
Just check out photos above from the picturesque villages, lovely stone bridges, monasteries built on cliffs and other sites you will encounter…
You’ll pass the rivers Landos and Lousios, and a high percentage of fir and high shrub forests. Watch out for foxes, martens, weasels, hedgehogs, terrapins and even jackals and wild boars. At the rock meadows and the dense shrub you’ll will find various birds, in the dense forest woodpeckers, along the rivers you’ll meet dunlins, while at the slopes of the gorges, jackdaw and kestrels, buzzards, short-toed snake eagles and crows.
An epic experience for those who commit to the full 75 kilometers
The Mainalon trail is divided into sections of varying difficulty, the Stemnitsa–Dimitsana leg being the most popular. You have the option to participate in a guided 7 day holiday or hike at your own pace by choosing a self-guided option…
Our local hiking guides look forward to welcoming you and introducing you to these enchanting, verdant and “hidden” parts of the Mainalon trail…
Please find below our recommended itinerary during our Mainalon trail self-guided walking holiday…
Join our Mainalon Trail guided walking holiday and you will:
Hike on breathtaking trails amid towering mountains and plunging gorges,
Walk along ancient paved paths and trails which reach 75km in length connecting picturesque villages, castles, ancient cities, chapels, watermills, farms, byzantine monasteries…
Discover villages untouched by time with picturesque houses, arches, carved doorways, marble fountains, cobbled streets…
Visit fresco-covered monasteries clinging to the cliff faces of the Lousios Gorge,
Come across ravishing flora and fauna,
Taste delicious local food…
Rest at traditional family-run guesthouses,
Learn and enjoy the company of friendly, naturalist guides.
The walks during the Mainalon Trail self-guided walking holiday are graded as moderate. You will walk mainly on paths of moderate gradient with ascents of up to 500m in a day. You will walk up to 5-6 hours in the day including stops to rest and for lunch.
Flexible itineraries are available based on the needs of our guests. We can organise a more challenging or a more relaxed-pace itinerary if you are interested.
Getting to Stemnitsa
The nearest airport to the Menalon Trail is Athens Airport. If you choose a self-guided option then:
From Athens Airport it takes around 3 hours by public bus to get to Stemnitsa (via the city of Tripoli). You first take the direct express bus from the airport to KTEL bus station Kifissou. There is a direct bus to Tripoli approximately once per hour. From Tripoli bus station you can either take a taxi on the sport or we would also be happy to pre-book this for you.
We can also arrange a private transfer from Athens airport to Stemnitsa. Please enquire for fees.
Departure from Lagkadia
You first take a taxi from Lagkadia to Tripoli (we would be happy to pre-book this for you). From Tripoli bus station there are direct busses to Athens every hour. The journey time is just over 3 hrs.
We have reserved for you lovely authentic family-run guesthouses. The owners are very hospitable and helpful and are known to provide the most delicious breakfasts.
The combination of natural beauty, history and culture but also the hospitality of the residents will make the Mainalon trail guided walking holiday in Greece, unforgettable for you.
We organise the Mainalon Trail self-guided walking holiday all year round.
Because of the altitude of the trek (between 1000-1500m), the best period is Spring and autumn for walking this trail.
The best time to visit:
- April to mid June: for wild flowers, sunshine and moderate temperatures. The Easter period is recommended as it’s one of the most important celebrations in Greece and you’ll have the chance to experience traditional feasts and gatherings.
- July and August: it is quite hot but you can avoid walking in the middle of the afternoon and combine it with a beach holiday before or after.
- September to end of November: for warm seas, gentle weather and autumn flowers. Grapes and olive harvests.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@nofootprint.gr
MAINALON TRAIL GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY FEES
7-day day self-guided walking holiday staying at traditional family-run guesthouses:
All prices are per person for two people sharing a standard double room.
- 7 days/6 nights – Low Season EUR 580 High Season EUR 700
Supplement for single rooms:
- EUR 25/night
We offer group and special offers. Please contact us for further information…
The fee includes:
- Our choice of the best 5 self-guided walks along the Mainalon trail,
- Active navigation and step-by-step guidance using digital maps and mobile applications,
- A detailed info pack on recommended routes, points of interest, photos and a hiking map,
- Introduction to the unique flora, fauna, history and culture,
- 6 nights accommodation & breakfasts at traditional guesthouses (choices available),
- Suggestions for lunch/supper/excursions/ archeological sites to visit,
- Local support from our representative 24 hours/day,
- Transfers to the beginning of each walk and back, when needed
- Transfers of luggage to the next village,
- Emergency telephone support in the event of a problem.
The fee doesn’t include:
- Transfers from and back to Athens although it can be arranged for an extra fee,
- Meals
Book your self-guided walking holiday at Mainalon, in the Peloponnese…
Itinerary
The second half starts off in a great fir forest, ascends to the open ridge of the byzantine fortress Kastro Valtesinikou, before descending to your final destination, the “stone” village of Valtesiniko.
Hike: Moderate, 15 km, 5 hrs, actual walking time: 7 hrs.
Alternative option: Easy, 10km, actual walking time: 4-5 hrs.
Hike: Moderate to difficult because of the distance, 22½ km, 8½ hrs, actual walking time: 10hrs.
Alternative option: Easy to Medium, option for 5.6km or 16 km, actual walking time: 2 or 6 hrs.
Hike: Easy, 8½ km, 3 hrs, actual walking time: 4-5 hrs .
Hike: Moderate, 16 km, 5 hrs, actual walking time: 6-7 hrs.
The village was an important center of goldsmithing and silversmithing, and “Stemnitsiotes” were famous for their performance in metallurgy, specifically for making the bells of some of the most known churches in the Danube countries. The art of silversmithing is still taught today at the homonymous Technical High School of silversmithing, a tradition that is continued by the silversmith shops and workshops that operate in the town. This promises to be a rewarding day!
Continue along the path that traverses the gorge. Ascend to the Old Philosophou Monastery (dating back to 963) before continuing to the ‘New’ Philosophou Monastery (1691), which resembles quite an oasis after the gorge. The final trail leads you back down to the river and over via the Tzani bridge and reaches the interesting Open-Air Waterpower Museum. Nearby you will find the watermills and gun powder mills that established the fame and wealth of Dimitsana, your final destination.
Hike: Easy to moderate, 12 km, 4 hrs, actual walking time 5-6 hrs.
Take your time to explore this interesting village before departing for home or your next adventure!
Map
Have a Question?
Feel free to reach out and we're happy to answer any questions you may have.
“Thank you for a wonderful visit to Tinos. I have so enjoyed the walks, and learnt so much about the island’s unique culture. Thank you for planning a fantastic itinerary every day. I feel inspired and invigorated!”
Carys, UK
“Annie, you have the magic touch when it comes to holidays… and people… a rare gift but very precious. Thank you again for a week full of fun, laughter, seeing amazing Greece and your company.”
