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Highlights
Hike one of the best trails in Europe on this 8-day self-guided tour
Practice your Greek pronunciation in villages like Valtesiniko or Magouliana.
Hike through lush vegetation and stunning fairytale landscapes and be rewarded with epic views.
Explore the lesser-travelled-to part of Greece where the altitude reaches 1,500m.
Stop at a monastery built into a cliff near Stemnitsa and the Open-Air Water Power Museum in Dimitsana.
Walk Greece's incredible Menalon Trail Pilgrimage Trail. Over 8-days you’ll be experiencing a slice of Greek history on this self-guided walking tour.
The Menalon Trail is one of the Leading Quality Trails in Europe. You may not expect woodsy and forested scenes in Greece, but some of these mountain towns even see snow during winter. This tour leads travellers down a remote path where you may not see other humans for hours. If you’re looking for a pilgrimage to clear your head, look no further than this 8-day self-guided tour. The walks will challenge you on some days but know that you have comfortable accommodation waiting for you each night.
Each mountain village you stay in will impress you as soon as you arrive—you’ll have a tough time picking a favourite as each is more charming than the last! The Peloponnese Peninsula comprises forests, mountains, gorges, rivers, and so many villages with old stone buildings. You’ll think you flew into a Greek storybook. By choosing this tour, you are supporting Menalon Trail maintenance and care, and you’ll receive a t-shirt as a souvenir. What are you waiting for?
Walk Greece's incredible Menalon Trail Pilgrimage Trail. Over 8-days you’ll be experiencing a slice of Greek history on this self-guided walking tour.
The Menalon Trail is one of the Leading Quality Trails in Europe. You may not expect woodsy and forested scenes in Greece, but some of these mountain towns even see snow during winter. This tour leads travellers down a remote path where you may not see other humans for hours. If you’re looking for a pilgrimage to clear your head, look no further than this 8-day self-guided tour. The walks will challenge you on some days but know that you have comfortable accommodation waiting for you each night.
Each mountain village you stay in will impress you as soon as you arrive—you’ll have a tough time picking a favourite as each is more charming than the last! The Peloponnese Peninsula comprises forests, mountains, gorges, rivers, and so many villages with old stone buildings. You’ll think you flew into a Greek storybook. By choosing this tour, you are supporting Menalon Trail maintenance and care, and you’ll receive a t-shirt as a souvenir. What are you waiting for?
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The Menalon Trail Pilgrimage Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Stemnitsa
After arriving in Athens, you will find your way to the central square in Stemnitsa, a stunning village perched in a valley on the Peloponnese Peninsula. When you arrive, you can visit the Menalon info centre in town to get a brief orientation on the week ahead.
Settle into your accommodation and take some time to wander this enchanting village.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Stemnitsa
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Trek Lousios Gorge to Dimitsana
Begin the trek along the Melanon Trail with a zigzag path leading out of Stemnitsa. Take some time and detour to the Prodromos Monastery built into the cliffside near the village. Continue through a gorge, passing two more ancient monasteries. Through aromatic vegetation, you climb the bank of the Lousios River extending to Dimitsana. Cross a bridge, and the Open-Air Water Power Museum will come into view. Near here is Dimitsana, your destination for the night.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Dimitsana
Distance: 5 hours, 13km, 780m of ascent, 910m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Hike to Elati
Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your guesthouse in Dimitsana before trekking to the next town. On today’s journey, footpaths and dirt roads lead you among wooded landscapes and pastoral scenery. You’ll get spectacular views as you hike up, down, and around the Lousios basin.
Stop for a break in a small hamlet to refuel, then continue along the Western Menalon massif, where you will have the option to climb to the summit of Pliovouni, the tallest peak along the route at 1643m. After, you will descend to the mountain town of Elati to find your home for the night.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Elati
Distance: 7 hours, 19.5km, 1215m of ascent, 995m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Walk to Vytina
In the morning, you can choose to visit a local woodcraft shop, before descending from Elati toward the banks of the Mylaon River. Here, you will pass the Pirgaki Springs that supply nearby Vytina with water, taking a short break before continuing on.
After, you will leave the valley behind and zigzag uphill along a path carved into rock, making your way to the Artotsi Fountain. Nearby is the Agia Paraskevi church, from which you have great views over the valley and mountain. From here, you will travel along quiet paths to reach Vytina.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Vytina
Distance: 3 hours, 9km, 350m of ascent, 500m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Trek to Nymfasia
From Vytina, you’ll head back to the Artotsi Fountain and descend into the Mylaon Valley, following the river north to reach Zarzi Bridge. After taking in the views, you will ascend to Old Vytina to meet back up with the Menalon Trail.
The trail will descend into a gorge and ascend through shrub and rock, leading you through oak and spruce forests to reach Nymfasia, the small village where you’ll sleep tonight.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Valtesiniko
Distance: 4 hours, 11.9km, 280m of ascent, 480m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Hike via Magouliana to Valtesiniko
Fuel up on breakfast on your last day of this tour. Begin the day walking above Valtesiniko for wonderful views of where you just spent the night, then push on to an open meadow. Highlights today include a Byzantine fortress and a gorgeous church. The second leg of the trail leads through pine forests, ascending and descending, challenging your legs. When you see watermills come into view, you’ll know you are close to your final destination, Lagkadia, where the Menalon Trail ends.
Find your hotel and celebrate your accomplishments with a local brew in a tavern.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Lagkadia
Distance: 5.5 hours, 15km, 690m of ascent, 410m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Valtesiniko to Lagkadia
Once you’re finished breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel and the tour comes to an end. Pack up and continue on your way, knowing you just completed a stunning mountain trail across the Peloponnese Peninsula.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Lagkadia
Distance: 5 hours, 14.3km, 450m of ascent, 600m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure
Once you’re finished breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel and the tour comes to an end. Pack up and continue on your way, knowing you just completed a stunning mountain trail across the Peloponnese Peninsula.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2026 Pricing for Menalon Trail Pilgrimage Tour
The departures are available from January 8 to November 23, 2026
Accommodation on the Menalon Trail Pilgrimage Tour
This tour is based in traditional guesthouses and 4-star hotels.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. If you are a solo traveller or you prefer a single room, the required supplements are included in the listed prices.
What’s included in the Menalon Trail Pilgrimage Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 7 nights is included. You can book additional nights at any of the hotels along the route.
Transportation during the Tour
While you walk between villages each day, transportation for your luggage is included.
Also Included
- Detailed hiking map in English
- Menalon Trail handling fees/sponsoring
- Souvenir Menalon Trail t-shirt
Not included
- Flights
- Visas if required
- Airport departure transfer
- Guide services
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Travel insurance and tourism tax
- Public transportation
- Anything not mentioned as included
Optional Extras
- Extra nights in any accommodation
- Airport departure transfer
- How hard is the Menalon Trail Pilgrimage Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Greece?
- Are meals included on the Menalon Trail Pilgrimage Tour?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Stemnitsa to start this tour?
- Is the Menalon Trail Pilgrimage Tour guided?
- Where does the Menalon Trail Pilgrimage Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Greece?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Greece?
- When is the best time to travel to Greece for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. You should be physically fit and comfortable walking 3–7 hours daily. The elevation gain is moderate, but you will have comfortable accommodation to recuperate. The trail is well-marked and well-maintained.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts are included.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel, since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
You can reach Stemnitsa by bus, train, or taxi from Athens International Airport (ATH) (2.5 hours) and Kalamata International Airport (KLX) (1.5 hours). You can reach Athens or Kalamata Airports from many major European airports.
No. You will be provided with all necessary information to complete your self-guided tour.
The tour ends in Lagkadia. You will be responsible for your own transportation to the airport or you can prebook a transfer as a supplement.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Greece for trekking is during the warmest months of the year (May-September), but know that it can get very hot mid-summer (July and August).
Customer Ratings
S-Cape Travel Greece is a Greek outdoor company, established in 1994 and member of the S-Cape Group of companies since 2010.
At S-Cape Greece you find a varied portfolio of active and adventure trips that offer you a hands-on experience of Greece, having time to slowing down and appreciate the details: view the sites and landscapes, savor the specialties, meet and mingle with the locals and learn about the culture.
All our trips and itineraries are developed by our team of professional walkers and cyclists who have a keen eye for great trails, exciting itineraries, breath-taking scenery and good quality accommodation that share our vision on sustainable travel.
If you travel on one of our self-guided trips, you receive a Destination Manual with information on the country and a state-of-the-art Road Book with detailed route description, turn by turn diagrams of each crossing and explanatory text. On top, you can navigate the route in your own smartphone via our excellent S-Cape Travel App.
Welcome to Greece!
