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Lousios

Treks / Greece

Menalon Trail

Greece · Nearest city: Athens (also Tripoli)

TypeMulti-day trek
Days5–8
Distance≈ 75 km
Climbingvaries
Highest pointlow-level

A certified trail through the mountains of Arcadia in the Peloponnese, linking stone villages, monasteries and the Lousios gorge.

Fitness Demanding
Best seasonApril to June, September to November

Watch out: Services in villages are limited outside the main seasons.

Why people choose it

It's a quiet trail through the heart of the Peloponnese, linking stone villages and monasteries built into cliffs.

What makes it different

  • Monasteries in the Lousios gorge
  • Stone villages of Arcadia
  • Certified Leading Quality Trail

Route options

There is rarely just one way to walk Menalon Trail. These are the main choices people make.

  • Length: most people take 5–8 days, 7 is typical. You can shorten it by skipping a stage with a bus or lift, or lengthen it with rest days.

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Before you go

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.

Phone and data

Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.

Europe eSIM on Airalo

Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.

Insurance that covers this trek

Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.

Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.

World NomadsHeymondoSafetyWingTrue Traveller

True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.

Camping and where to sleep

Wild camping is officially not allowed in Greece. Use refuges, village rooms and campsites.

Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.

Route map

Download GPX

Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.

Trail from OpenStreetMap (74.7 km) Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city

Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.

Stops: Stemnitsa → Dimitsana → Vytina → Lagkadia

Simple overview map
StemnitsaDimitsanaVytinaLagkadia20 kmN

Step by step

  1. Months before

    Plan and book

    • Book your first and last nights, and check whether accommodation along the way needs reserving.
    • Best time to go: April to June, September to November.
  2. 6–12 weeks before

    Train and test your gear

    • Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
    • Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
    • Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.

    Readiness quiz · Packing list

  3. Getting there

    Travel to the start

    • Most people start from Athens.
  4. On the trail

    Walk it

    • Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
  5. The finish

    Get home

    • It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.

How the season changes things

Best time: April to June, September to November

May to June

Early season

Snow can linger high up in early June; lower slopes are green and pleasant.

Bring

  • Warm layers for the tops
  • Gaiters for snow patches
  • Sunscreen

July to August

Peak season

Hot and dry, with little water on the mountains and afternoon storms around the summits.

Bring

  • Extra water capacity
  • Sun protection
  • Rain jacket for storms

September to October

Late season

Often the nicest time: cooler days, clear air and quieter trails.

Bring

  • Warm layer for mornings
  • Headlamp
  • Check refuge opening dates

Be ready for

Heat

Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.

Water filters →

What you'll see

7 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.

Lousios
Dimitsana
Στεμνίτσα
Near LagkadiaΛαγκάδια Αρκαδίας
Near DimitsanaΔημητσάνα
Near DimitsanaΔημητσάνα
Near StemnitsaΠαλαιοχώρι Δημητσάνας

Gear for the Menalon Trail

Hiking boots Top pick: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Backpacks Top pick: Osprey Exos 58 Rain jackets Top pick: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

Photo credits: Lousios by Roman Klementschitz, Wien, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Dimitsana by the author named on its Commons page, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Στεμνίτσα by C messier, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Λαγκάδια Αρκαδίας by C messier, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Δημητσάνα by C messier, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Δημητσάνα by C messier, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Παλαιοχώρι Δημητσάνας by C messier, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.