Walking Greece – Peloponnese

Itinerary – Walking in Peloponnese

Day 1: Start Kalamata
Pick up at Athens airport, welcome by your guide and transfer (around 3 hours) to your 4* Pharae hotel in Kalamata. The Hotel is ideally located along the sea front, by the beach, the city centre bars and restaurants. Then there is a common building with a restaurant and bar. There is a swimming pool but opening will depend on the weather. Beach across the road.
Day 2: Voidokilia bay
After a 1h transfer, you will discover the West side of Kalamata and join Voidokilia bay. This walk will not be the most challenging walk of the week but is one of the most beautiful coastal hike in western Greece. Possible to hike around the Gialova Lagoon protected area welcoming 254 types of birds and well known among birdwatchers. It is possible to extend the walk up towards the remains of a medieval castle overlooking Voidokilia beach and the stunning Ionian sea.
Breakfast included.
Day 3: Biliovo cobles walk and Mount Kalathio
Short transfer today to the mountains of Kalamata. Biliovo is considered as one of the most well preserved traditional cobblestone paths of Greece, unique in its kind and it is classified as a folk architectural monument. It is located 15km away from Kalamata and connects the villages of Sotirianika and Altomira on the outskirts of Taygetos. It was created by local artisans in the early 20th century in a collaborative effort, which lasted 25 years! Another more challenging walk will take the medium fast walkers to Kalathio Mount, you will walk towards Agio Triada monastry, offering panoramic and fabulous views over Kalamata bay and Messenie Golf.
Breakfast included.
Day 4: Walk Kardamyli – Viros Gorges
Today after a transfer of about 1 hours, you will walk in Kardamyli area. Beautiful walks to discover ancient monuments like old Kardamyli, Agios Spyridon church or Motzinos tower. 
Breakfast included.
Day 5: Free day or Walk to Sparta hut
On your free day, you can either enjoy a relaxing time at the hotel, to the beach or spend time in Kalamata centre town.
The Archaeological Museum of Messinia: Boasting an attractive modern museography, this small, well-appointed space presents a rich collection of archaeological objects from Antiquity to the Byzantine period, from Messinia and classified by excavation area (Pylia, Kalamata, Trifylia…). Information panels in English.
You can also enjoy a walk to the castle: Built after 1205 by Geoffroi I de Villehardouin on the site of an ancient acropolis, this ruined castle is well worth a visit for the walk and the beautiful view over the town.
Or for the A walkers interested, early afternoon transfer to the Taygetos mountains and climb to Sparta hut (2h hours transfer, 2 hours climbing 550 m ascent). Stay in Sparta hut multisharing.
Breakfast included.
Day 6: Walk Profitis Iilias (2405 m)or Messene site
For the A walkers who went up to Sparta hut the day, before, you will climb the highest mountain range in the Peloponnese with its peak (Profitis Ilias) reaching an altitude of 2407 meters, challenging climb. The name is one of the oldest recorded in Europe, appearing in the Odyssey. In classical mythology, it was associated with the nymph Taygete.
Alternatively you will get to Messene ancient site (45 min transfer), which you will visit with its Stadium, theatre and agora. You will walk around the site and take a lovely track up to Mount Ithome dominating this amazing place.
Breakfast included.
Day 7: Walk Mainalon monasteries and gorges
Today after a transfer of 1h30 min you will walk in Mainalon mountain of the god Pan, but also of the Greek Revolution. The most important massif in Arcadia reaches a modest altitude, but is one of the most extensive mountain ranges in Greece.
Breakfast included.
Day 8: FAREWELL!
Transfer to Athens airport to match group flight.
Breakfast included.