This is a bit of an undiscovered gem and one of the best walks I have done. We walked four sections of the trail with rest days in between. One... read more section is probably a day's walking although some sections you could do 2 in one day. Firstly it says the walk is moderate difficulty. I would agree but would clarify it: there are some steep uphill climbs and some long ones. You really do need a good level of fitness. Some sections there have been landslides and the paths are a little treacherous. Most of the paths we walked was well marked, but we did go wrong a few times and the section from Dimitsana to Filosophus we lost the trail completely. Lots of people walked Stemnitsa to Filosophus Monastery and it is really well marked but steep. All the other sections we walked we barely saw anyone. It is extraordinarily beautiful. I would say you need a good level of fitness. My biggest disappointment is that you can't easily hike with your things and then stay a night as some of the villages don't even have hostels. I had to stay in larger villages, get a taxi to the start point of a section, and then get a taxi back.

  We did two hikes:

Steminitsa-dimitsana: great hike with both mountain views and lush forest. We visited two monasteries on the way which were really worthwhile. About halfway there’s a... read more bridge with a river which is a good place for a dip. It took us about 5 hours. We passed some people on the first half of the trip and none thereafter.

Vytina, small loop, direction of Elati and back: most beautiful part nature wise, authentic Greek tranquil landscape with olive trees, old bridges and rivers.

I really recommend using the app “AllTrails” - this shows all the possible pathways and tracks your location live. The trail itself is really well marked, except for a small bit around the water museum (close to Dimitsana). I’m adding the local information on the route in the photos.

  There are so many paths to take on the Menalon Trail, you cannot be bored. The trail I took was Stemnitsa - Dimitsana. It was rigorous and wonderful. I loved... read more all the water - the river, the waterfalls, the fountains. The Lousios River Gorge was tremendous. The water was so cold and refreshing. I absolutely loved it. And there were several monasteries that were so beautiful, especially in the pristine setting of the gorge.

  We walked parts of the menalon trail early October. We had planned to do all the sections but couldn’t find accommodation in Elati so decided to just do stages. However,... read more we have since found out if you contact the people from the menalon trail directly, they have info for Airbnb in Elati, whilst the Chalet is closed.
We hiked from Stemnitsa to Dimitsana (amazing stay in the Archontiki Deligianni!!) which was a wonderful hike. Very varied, with wonderful monastery visits and great views. It is a well trodden path and well signposted. Took us 6 hours including breaks at each monastery etc.
We left the car at Stemnitsa and having bought the map for the menalon trail (highly recommend it, available in local shops) we took a different path back to Stemnitsa from Dimitsana the following day to retrieve the car. This is also very well signposted and goes through some beautiful forest. Takes a similar time.
We were also very fortunate to meet the man who initiated the menalon trail in Zygovisti, which was a delight. We got good tips on which sections were particularly stunning this time of year, and on his advice also hiked the section Elati - Vytina as an out and back, having left the car at the Nymfasia resort where we stayed (also highly recommended). Vytina is a lovely town and well worth staying at as a base. We wished we’d done that. It has good restaurants and lots of lovely shops selling special Vytina fir honey and wood products.

All the villages en route will at least sell you a frappe so it’s a pretty lovely way to spend a day if you linger and do it all slowly!

The trail is definitely worth doing, and fitness wise if you’re used to exercise you’ll be fine.

If you are planning to do the whole thing, it is definitely worth asking the nice guys from the menalon trail re recommendations. The lovely man we met side in a little office in Stemnitsa when it’s open, but you can always email.

Apparently hey are planning to connect all the ancient Peloponnese sites over the next years- ambitious, but we can’t wait!

The trail has been set up entirely by volunteers, who also maintain it. So it’s well worth buying the map and the beer (!) to support them. Enjoy!

  We spent an enjoyable day walking from Stemnitsa- we had a map but didn’t need it as the route was well signed all the way. We walked for about... read more 5 hours including stops at the monasteries and a dip in the river but didn’t make it to Dimitsana in that time. We then decided to return by taxi as the kids were tired in the August heat. We got help from the hotel to call a taxi to take us back which cost about 20 Euros. At times it was a bit unstable under foot so you definitely need trainers. The views were stunning!

  A bit rugged with difficulty finding trail markers at times. Scenery is gorgeous with a deep gorge, an ancient bridge and spring along the way. We were alone the entire... read more hike. Well worth the effort.

  Easy access...landed Athens.. train direct to Korinthos.. great value car hire with Vasilopoulos car hire including pick up and drop from station.. 90 min easy drive to Stemnitsa for... read more overnight guest house then walk in 5 stages ..not 8. Trail times are very ambitious especially with backpack and gradients. Mountain and forest areas are stunning with numerous historic sites reroute. Villages are very hospitable with Stemnitsa ( Gartagani Guesthouse) and Nimfasia (Acropolis Guesthouse) our most memorable. We arranged a lift back to our car with guest house host in Valtesinisko (V/studios) at our arrival in Lagkadia which is a very charming village ( taxis are expensive and few).
Drive on to Vouraikos Gorge track train walk...another must.
An easy very rewarding waking week all round.
Great buys in jewellery ( Stemnitsa) and honey (Lagkadia)

  I completed the Menalon Trail in 5 days, with hindsight I should have added an extra day but I had a time constraint. The trail is extremely well marked and... read more coupled with the downloaded Topoguide there is very little chance of wandering off the trail and getting lost. There is such a wonderful variety of terrain, views, villages, history that this trail is one of the most memorable of the many that I've done over the years. The logistics of getting there is a bit difficult but I ended up getting to Tripoli from Athens by bus and then hiring a taxi to the start at Stemnitsa. From the finish at Lagkadia I was collected by family but I believe that there is a bus from there to Tripoli. I never made any prior accommodation bookings but on arrival at each village I was fortunate to find somewhere to stay. Note that I hiked late September and in peak season finding accommodation will not be that easy.
A fantastic trail well worth doing!