Κριτικές

  A wonderful walk - highly recommended. We staying in Dimitsana and took a taxi to Stemnitsa, and walked back along the trail. The section is 12.5km and a combined ascent... read more of 700m (although it felt more). The walk is about 5 hours plus stops. Setting off it the morning we were above the clouds which gradually cleared during the day. Basically the walk takes through the gorge starting at 1000m and dropping to 500m and then back to 1000m. The trail is extremely well way-marked, as are many Greek paths, pretty hard to get lost, and we did not take a map. We were lucky with the weather, there was torrential rain just after we return and I imagine it could get very hot in the summer months.

  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.

  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!

  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)

  There were once a group of forward thinking people with passion that build the trail. They did everything perfect: courses, signs, good orientation, diversified attraction and the possibility to divide... read more and join different parts of the trail. But 1-2 years later it turned out that locals are not interested in what was achieved. The trail looks literally in some places abandoned and the only things that you can meets are sheeps and horses (!) that use the trail to get to the resting areas. Sad.

  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.

  With a small team of nature lovers we hiked 4 of the most difficult trails at Menalon Trail over last week, starting from Karytaina, Moni Panagias Kalamiou, Atsicholos, Lousios river,... read more Moni Agiou Ioannou Prodromou, Moni Panagias Filosofou, Dimitsana, Elati, Zygovisti,Vytina. Since I'm amateur in this kind of excursions I faced many difficulties on walking many times under the hot summer sun of Greece or at very narrow paths, but I also enjoyed every step under the huge pine, oak and fir trees. Swimming at Lousios river natural Spa waters was so exciting that we spend almost 3 hours relaxing and sunbathing. The signs and explanatory panels were very helpful. At the villages we visited and stayed the people were very hospitable offering the nicest goods that they had, but the most important their warm welcome and smile. At the monasteries, visitors are welcomed with water and loukoumi so to refresh and rest a bit. From the monks we learned quite a number of historical and art details about the monastery and the people that lived there.
It really worths a lot to walk on foot to feel and discover real life.

  I hiked the trail solo in the last week of June and it was fantastic. I did it in four sections and walked to a village with accommodation every day.... read more I want to share that it is possible because I couldn't find any other reviews where people did it this way before I went. (I’m a 35 year old female, pretty confident hiking).
Tip: FOLLOW THE SIGNS. They are frequent so if you haven’t seen one for a while, consider backtracking. They are visible but it only takes a minute to miss a turn into the forest. Sometimes the trail has to be changed due to conditions, so there are handwritten notes on the little signs.
My recommended alternative shorter adventure would be to walk day 1 and day 4 and spend more time relaxing in the villages.
My route:
Day 1: Stemnitsa to Dimitsana
Short day, about 5.5 hours including stopping to explore old monasteries.
Day 2: Dimitsana to Vytina (via Zygovisti and Elati)
It is admittedly a big day, up to 10 hours, but if you are reasonably fit and experienced and set off early it's achievable.
Day 3: Vytina to Valtesiniko (via Magouliana)
This is a long pants day, lots of scrub. Took about 8 hours with stops.
Shout out to my hosts at Petra & Elato Hotel and to the family that runs Taverna Vasilikos (Ταβέρνα Βασιλικός), they were so friendly and made me a superb pizza.
Day 4: Valtesiniko to Lagkadia
Definitely one of the nicest scenery days, and some of the best walking. About 5 hours. Glad for my leftover pizza.