Meet the Wilderness of Pindos Mountains Region.

Mountains, lakes, valleys, gorges, rivers, forests, alpine grasslands, stone and metallic bridges of an other era, herds of goats, sheeps and cows, rows of mules, remote villages and beautiful people is the mix of this mountains. Leaving behind us, the city of Metsovo we follow the path to Vovousa in the middle of Valia Calda. Through tenths of mountains we go down to River Venetikos and the gorge of Portitsa. The fertile highlands of Mt Kissavos and Mt Antichasia takes us to the unique Meteora above the city of Kalampaka and our day ends at the village of Elati at the backyard of Mt Koziakas after 300 km.

A crossroad to history.

The Mesochora Pass, connecting the east and west side of central Pindos was well known since ancient Greece era and was in use since then. Half the way River Acheloos gives the tempo and the surrounding peaks, well above 2000 meters high, are the best cooperator at this task. The north and east side of Lake Kremaston, the isolated areas of Mt Varthousia will be our host for the second part of the day’s schedule and the city of Karpenisi at the slopes of Mt Velouchi completes the day after 430 km.

From mountain land to sea land.

Leaving Karpenisi we follow south direction heading for landmark of the region, The Proussos Monasteri between Mt Helidona and Mt Kaliakouda. We continue to town Thermo, above Lake Trichonida and before we start climbing for Mt Vardousia. Lake Mornos and the town of Lidoriki are next only few kilometers away for the day’s destination the quiescent and scenic port town of Galaxidi, covering only 340 “hard” km.

Dirfting to the past I.

Starting from Galaxidi, we pass from Delfi Oracle at the slopes of Mt Parnassos, the southernmost tip of Pindos Mountain Range and through the valley of Arvanitsa we arrive at the Thebes Plain where the Greeks put an end at the invasion of Persian Empire under king Xerxes rule. We pass the Mt Kitheronas and Mt Pateras and following the shore line we climb to Mt Gerania and arrive at the Korinthos Canal and the anciend Diolkos. We continue to Nemea and Lake Stimfalia, where Hercules performed tςo of his feats at the slopes of Mt Ziria. We follow the road to the Mt Black and the Buddhist Sanctuary. Not far away the city of Aegio awaits after 430 “historic” km.

Dirfting to the past II.

After saying our farewell to hospitable Aegio we start our climb to Mt Fteri and Mt Skepasto. heading for Kalavrita at the slopes of Mt Helmos. We follow a southern pass to reach the 111 road and turn left. We arrive to Ancient Mantinia Plain, northernmost tip of Spartans kingdom and we continue to Ancient Mycenae and the Ancient Epidavros and Nafplion, the first capital city of modern Greece. The last part of the day is a smooth and curvy road until reach Leonidio, 370 km are not that much after all.

The medieval castles I

The southern edges of Peloponnese was critical passes for the seagoing trade routes from and to the Road of Silk. So on all the major empires and rulers had build castles and fortification along the coastline in order to protect the trade routes. One of the best preserved fortification is the Caslte of Monemvasia, dated back to the 6th century and controlling the east and north approaches. The next major fortification is the Castle of Mani or Castle Achilion almost at the southernmost tip of mainland Greece build by the Othomans at the early 16th century to control the Venetchian Fleet and last for the day the Castle of Kalamata, a fortification with history that goes back almost 3000 years which became famous during the rule of Villehardouin family. After 400 km, most of the at the harsh landscape of Mani we are going to get some rest at Kalamata.

The medieval castles II.

Continuing the wandering to the medieval Peloponnese we are going to castle city of Mistras, capital of Despotato of Mistras, after crossing the Mt Parnassos. Next destination is Messini, an ancient city that opposed Sparta and suffered the bitter destiny of loosing the war. Methoni and Koroni are the two castles that were guarding the southern and the western approaches both build by Byzintines although became well known during the Venetian Era when both castle cities reached their maximum. The day ends at the town of Kiparissia, after passing from the Castle Navarino at the city of Pylos. 360 km is day’s score, not bad considering the sight seeing!

The Olympic Run.
The Temple of Epikuros Appolon, the Chappel of Saint Theodora, the unknown villages of the epicenter of the Greece Revolution, Mt Likeon and Mt Minthi, the oak tree forrest of Foloe at the southern slopes of Mt Erymanthos, and the one and only archaeological site of Olympia. The most respected of the sacred place of Ancient Hellas. The serenity and calmness of this place goes between mythical to magical. Continuing around Mt Erimanthos we reach the Lake of Pinios and our final destination for the day, city of Patras, covering 410 km.

The bridge and the mountains….

The mighty Bridge Rio=Antirio, a technical marvel of French design, is a dominant landmark at the outskirts of city of Patras and our crossing forward to Western Greece Region. Lakes, rivers and mountains are the spots in our way and people and their makings is going to be what we are going to admire the most. The Mt Tzoumerka and Mt Lakmos are going to lead our way to Ioannina after 310 km under our motorbikes closing the ten days ride up and down in Central and South Greece.

Farewell day – Presents

The last morning of out time together cames. Hoping that we provided an unforgettable memory we salute the friends we made and wish them a safe return home. Do not hesitate to ask for any information that we might provide regarding your way back. Before departure presents and memorabilia will distribute.