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Peleponnese - Trek |
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Hotel to
Hotel Trek in Greece |
See also our
Centred Walking click here
The Trek
 This self-guided, 7
day, point to point trek has been designed to be as varied as possible
making the most of the wonderful terrain in the Exo Mani covering
coastal merchants’ routes, gorge and hill walking and mountain trails.
The 50 mile route starts from the traditional seaside resort of Kalamata
and winds its way down the Mani peninsula following the Exo Mani to its
border with the Messa Mani.
The Walking
You walk from village
to village mostly following the thousand year old mule paths, called
kalderimis which were used daily right up the 1950’s when the first
tarmac roads arrived in the area. These paths are of good quality and
take you through mountain villages and fishing villages from mountain
foothills to coastal paths. We provide full walking notes and local
walking maps. You can combine this trek with 7 nights in Kardamili.
Self Guided
We provide detailed walking notes and a contoured
map of the island showing paths and tracks. Walk at you own pace and
linger at whichever of the many viewpoints you wish.
The Route
Day 1 Arrival
Day – Arrive Kalamata airport or coach station. Transfer to hotel, if
you arrive early stroll around
the town or maybe take a dip in the inviting Mediterranean
sea.
Day 2
Sotirianika to Kardamili. (10 miles, 6 hours walking). The ancient path
up to Sotirianika (350 metres) soon drops into the dramatic Koskaraka
Gorge before wandering through olive groves to elegant Kambos, famed for
its Byzantine church and smallest chapel in Messinia. On to Stavropigio
(ancient Mycenaean tomb, ruined 18th century tower) climbing to 300
metres before descending to the coast.
Day 3
Viros Gorge. (8 miles, 5 hours
walking). A peaceful and serene walk up the Viros Gorge (200m) to view
the Byzantine chapels before climbing steeply to the hill-side
villages of Pedinon and Tseria (600m). Descend to the Gorge and a wide
dirt track up to the mountain village of Exochori (450m). Transfer back
to Kardamili.
Day 4
Kardamili to Stoupa (8 miles, 5 hours walking). A less strenuous day.
The trail follows an ancient kalderimi down to the historic bishopric of
Proastio (240m) with its eclectic collection of over 30 Byzantine
churches and chapels. The track then follows the dirt foothills down to
Neochori and the coast at Stoupa. Transfer to your hotel in Aghios
Nicholaos.
Day 5 Aghios
Nicholaos. (7 miles, 4 hours walking). A circular hill ascent from
Aghios Nicholaos, up to the hamlet of Kotroni and onwards up to Platsa
with its beautiful neoclassical houses, (380m). The trail then meanders
to the chocolate box village of Pigi before descending to the coast.
Day 6 Aghios
Nicholaos to Lagadha. (8 miles, 5 hours walking). The coastal merchants’
route from Aghios Nicholaos to the smaller hamlets of Aghios Dimitrios
and Trachila. A gradual ascent to 380 metres and the villages of Nomitsi,
Thalames (Ma ni Museum and Morea Olive Oil Stone Mill) and Lagadha
(10th/11th century church, Aghios Sotiris). Late afternoon transfer to
seaside hamlet at Nea Oitylo.
Day 7 Nea
Oitylo to Dirou Pirgos. (7 miles, 4 hours walking) A slower, more
leisurely day, a fitting end to the week’s trek. Follow the kalderimi to
the historical town of Areopolis (200 metres) and onwards to the world
famous underground caves at Dirou Pirgos. Alternatively, a rest day;
enjoy the quiet seafront ambience, explore Areopolis or take a short
taxi ride to the caves. Late afternoon taxi transfer back to Kalamata.
Day 8
Departure day. Maybe a little
shopping for souvenirs in the old part of town; silk scarves, large
black Kalamata olives, virgin olive oil, pasteli (peanut & sesame seed
bars covered in honey) are particularly recommended. Finally, taxi
transfer back to Kalamata airport or coach station.
The hotels and food
 Your
hotels and pensions (guest houses) are all comfortable, family run
establishments. All rooms have en suite bathrooms. They provide a buffet
style breakfast and a locally cooked dinner for the first three nights. They have been selected for their location and their filoxenia
(friendliness and hospitality to strangers).
Baggage transfer
Your bag will
be transferred daily to your next hotel so you can enjoy walking with a
day pack. These transfers are included in the cost.
How to get there
Charter flights direct to Kalamata from a number of regional UK airports
are available. We provide transfers to your accommodation and return
from the airport, 1½
hours for the centred holiday and the trek. There are flights to Athens
from a number of UK airports, where you can either collect a prearranged
car hire for a 3½
hour car journey or
take a 4 hour bus journey to Kalamata, where we will pick you up and
take you to the hotel.
When to go
The walking season is generally best during April to June and September to
November. During April the spring flowers are prolific with the area
particularly renowned for its many varieties of orchids. Quite often
there are still vestiges of snow on the tops of the mountains until
early May. July and August are too hot for walking and then the second
spring starts again in September.
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