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!

  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.

  We were looking for a 3 hour (ish) hike to explore the Louisos Gorge and see the Monasteries.
We were recommended to take the car to Ancient... read more Gortys, walk along to Prodomos Monastery, follow on to the old Filosofu Monastery and then to the 'new' Filosofu Monastery.
It took around 1.5 hours one way, although depends how long you spend at the Monasteries/ taking photos etc. You then need to return the same way, which while it's always nice to have a round trip we thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing and you always see things differently coming back.
If you do intend to visit the Monasteries please remember they have dress requirements and it's important to be respectful. Men and women need to have legs covered and women need to have shoulders covered. Both Monasteries we visited had clothes/sarongs you could borrow, which was fine.
Prodomos also has refreshments and you can refill water bottles at both too.
We loved it and would recommend!

  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.

  Half way walk in the lovely Lousious river and amazing hidden gems. Not too adventurous if you are in reasonable physical shape. Try to depart early before the heat and... read more the crowds.

  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)

  We have just finished the full 8 sections of the trail. Like many of the reviewers we enjoyed the fir forests, the rock perched monasteries, the picturesque villages and the... read more hospitality of the villagers.
The late season had its effect so some villages were practically vacant. This includes Zygovitsi, Elati, and Magouliana, with Nymphasia just a bit more lively. So when preparing accommodation better check availability beforehand. Luckily you can always call for a taxi from a neighboring village. People are very friendly - one time we were offered a ride to the guesthouse in the larger village, and in another the guesthouse owner took us to the next village to continue the trail.
Autumn proved to be very welcome for hiking. Except for few raindrops in the first two days the weather was shiny, with few clouds, and with just the right temperature, around 20c. The autumn also offers the special golden colors of the poplars and plane trees in the river beds.
Other memorable pictures are the great plane tree in the village square of Magouliana, and the clear quiet stream with moss-covered stones in the narrow shady creek before Elati.
Transportation from Athens should not be a problem. For access to and from the area we used KTEL Arcadia bus service. They have a quite regular line between Athens and Tripoli, few times a day from Tripoli to Stemnitsa and twice a day from Lagkadia back to Tripoli.