Churches of the Peloponnese Walk

Walking information

Most of the walking is on good well-marked footpaths, often following the 'kaldaremi' (ancient cobbled mule tracks).

Day 1: Arrive in Kardamili

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).

Day 2: Amble to Petrovouni (5.5KM/3MILES)

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).

Day 3: Exochori to Stoupa (14.5KM/9MILES)

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).

Day 4: Walk down to Dirou Caves (12KM/7.5MILES)

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).

Day 5: Monasteries in the Gorge (10KM/6.5MILES)

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).

Day 6: Orchid Alley (10.5KM/7MILES)

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).

Day 7: Selenitsa Circular Walk (10.5KM/7MILES)

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).

Day 8: Depart Kardamili

After breakfast, leave your hotel for Kalamata airport.