Bursting with legend, the Peloponnese is home to the mighty fight between Hercules and the Nemean lion, where Gods walked the earth meddling in mortal affairs. Divided from the Greek Mainland by the magnificent engineering feat of the Corinth Canal, and consists of three spindly fingers, the middle of which is known as the Mani peninsula. The Mani has a mountainous interior and deeply indented coasts, with Mount Taygetus as its highest point. The scenery is outstandingly beautiful and dotted with fascinating relics of the many civilisations that once called it home.
Our walking takes place in the Exo Mani (Outer Mani) and is centred around the bohemian coastal village of Kardamili, which sits at the foot of the mysterious Taygetos mountains. The whole of the Mani is steeped in history. It was three local families and their war-mongering Maniot colleagues from Kardamili who marched to Kalamata on the 23rd of March 1821 to defeat the oncoming Turks in an historic battle which started the Greek War of Independence (1821 - 1829) and effectively was the start point of ending the 400 years of Ottoman rule following the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
The isolated Outer Mani peninsula has been little affected by tourism allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the traditional Greek way of life. This green and lush region is known for its unique culinary products, especially the renowned Kalamata olives. You will encounter many such olive groves as you walk. A treasure trove of Greek Orthodox churches and castles await with their exquisite frescos adorning the walls and ceilings. Walk in the foothills of the towering Taygetos Mountains passing through charming mountain villages and often following the 'kaldaremi' a network of ancient, cobbled mule tracks. While coastal merchant routes bring you to picturesque fishing villages with whitewashed houses clustered around harbours full of fishing boats.
Most of the walking is on good well-marked footpaths, often following the 'kaldaremi' (ancient cobbled mule tracks).
Arrive in Kardamili, if you arrive early stroll around the town or maybe take a dip in the inviting Mediterranean Sea.
Overnight Gorgones Rooms, Kardamili (breakfast included).
Mainly following kalderimis, (ancient stone mule tracks) and dirt tracks, the trail winds its way through the medieval remnants of the old town of Kardamili before ascending steeply up to the Byzantine chapel of Aghia Sophia. The track then snakes around and gently down to a cool dry stream before heading up to and around the quaint village of Petrovouni. Stop to admire the wonderful views to the coast before returning down to Kardamili on a beautifully maintained kalderimi. This is an ideal introductory walk to get a taste of the Mani, or for those who are looking for a gentle stroll with plenty of stopping off points of interest.
Overnight Gorgones Rooms, Kardamili (breakfast included).
Starting at the hillside village of Exochori, the trail follows an ancient kalderimi down to the ancient bishopric of Proastio with its eclectic collection of over 30 Byzantine churches and chapels. The track then follows the contours of the dirt foothills and meanders around the coast to Neochori and finally down a tarmac road to the coast at Stoupa. You have a chance to swim at the end of the walk at either the main beach in Stoupa or at the refreshing underground mountain springs at Kalogria nearby.
Overnight Gorgones Rooms, Kardamili (breakfast included).
The trail descends from Oitylo down a steep kalderimi to the beautiful seaside hamlet of Nea Oitylo continuing along the coastal path and on a long well-maintained kalderimi (the longest continual stretch of mule path in the programme). You’ll arrive at the delightful rural market town of Areopolis before finally setting off downhill to the coast and the world famous largest underground caves in Europe at Dirou Pirgos.
Overnight Gorgones Rooms, Kardamili (breakfast included).
This is a great opportunity to enjoy the peace and serenity of the gorge. A fair degree of fitness and stamina is required as it entails walking up the gorge to a height of 150m to view the Byzantine chapels Moni Lykakiou and Moni Sotiris before climbing steeply out of the gorge up a dirt track. You’ll then walk along the kalderimis to the villages of Pedinon (465m) and Tseria (highest point of the walk at 600m) before dropping once more into the gorge and following a wide dirt track up the hill to Exochori.
Overnight Gorgones Rooms, Kardamili (breakfast included).
The trail winds steeply up to the Byzantine chapel of Aghia Sophia before tracking cross country to Petrovouni and onwards along the aptly named ‘Orchid Alley’ to Proastio. Follow a kalderimi to the coast and a swim at Foneas Cove before returning along the coastal tarmac road to Kardamili where you’ll have the chance for a swim at Kalamitsi Bay.
Overnight Gorgones Rooms, Kardamili (breakfast included).
The trail starts at the pretty harbour village of Aghios Nicholaos (known locally by its original Slavic name of Selenitsa). From sea level the track climbs steeply to the hamlet of Kotroni and onwards up to Platsa with its beautiful neo-classical houses. The spectacular views down to the coast are magnificent. Winding around the contours of the hill the trail meanders to the chocolate box village of Pigi before descending a well-marked kalderimi returning to the coast at Pantazi Beach and along the coastal tarmac road back to Aghios Nicholaos.
Overnight Gorgones Rooms, Kardamili (breakfast included).
After breakfast, leave your hotel for Kalamata airport.
This single-centre holiday is based at the following hotel. If you'd like to extend your stay here, or upgrade your room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or email sales@headwater.com
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Just a short distance from Kardamili Beach, these lovely apartments offer a welcome stay in the Peloponnese.Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Here at Headwater we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can continue to develop, and where necessary improve, our services and ensure our holidays continue to be the best they can be. However, as this is a relatively new holiday, we don't yet have any customer reviews available.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 7 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Single-centre accommodation in a hotel
All breakfasts
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Comprehensive route directions provided prior to departure
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further details.
Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.
Departures
Meals
All breakfasts
This holiday does not include any flights or rail.
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.
If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.
