AITO: The Association of Independent Tour Operators
On Foot - Arcadia

On Foot - Arcadia

On Foot - Arcadia Overview

Hike the Menalon Trail the On Foot way, from one remote stone village to the next, through mountains and wooded valleys. Visit ancient monasteries built in precarious positions in the valleys, and stay in traditional family-run guesthouses.

Arcadia, the fabled home of the god Pan, was revered in the Renaissance as symbolic of unspoiled, harmonious wilderness; referenced by Virgil as “locus amoenus” – pleasant place, where shepherds sing of their loves and losses. It lies in the centre of the Peloponnese (the land south of the Corinth Canal).

Using many of the old paths and mule tracks that linked the villages with the fields, pastures and forests of this remote part of Greece, the Menalon Trail winds through scenic hills and some pretty (and still thriving) ancient stone villages.

Enjoy the villages for their tavernas, local industries (for example jewellery in Stemnitsa), little shops, churches and old houses, but above all a sense of life and liveliness that few can match. If you are lucky, the local dancers will be performing, and the wine will flow freely.

This is an area visited by Greeks in the winter, while the spring and autumn are the preserve of the hill walkers. Even the summer is possible (though July in particular can be very hot) as much of the walking is in native pine and fir forest, with dappled sunlight enlivening the shade.

This walk could be used as the core of a longer holiday in the region – perhaps you could take in the sites of Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia and many others, or spend some days on the beach in relatively unspoiled resorts; you could leave a hire car at Dimitsana while you walk the route.

Five and four night versions of this holiday are also available. See the On Foot Holidays website for details of prices and dates.

Find out more about On Foot Holidays' walk in Arcadia

Reviews of this holiday

On Foot - Arcadia by Cindy, 14 Nov 2023
Traveller rating:

Beautiful hiking trip on the Menalon Trail. read more

On Foot - Arcadia by Vt Boots, 1 Nov 2023
Traveller rating:

We opted for the On Foot Holiday 6 night route with an additional 3 rest days in Vitina, Stemnitsa and Dimitsana. Hiking ... read more

On Foot - Arcadia by JOGLEWALKER, 30 Oct 2023
Traveller rating:

We enjoyed a self-guided walk along the Menalon Trail in the unspoilt Arcadia region of the Peloponnese in Greece. We walked ... read more

On Foot - Arcadia by FifiJack, 25 Jun 2023
Traveller rating:

This was a route through the Peloponnese, an area of Greece we were not familiar with, and we were definitely not expecting ... read more

On Foot - Arcadia by Greek walkers, 30 May 2023
Traveller rating:

5days walking with two friends from place to place. Bags taken by transport. Remote areas, beautiful scenery and excellent ... read more

On Foot - Arcadia by David, 12 Nov 2022
Traveller rating:

It was a demanding walking holiday in the mountains of the Peloponnese, Greece.We were well prepared by the operator with ... read more

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Reviews Submitted: 6
Reviews Accepted: 6
Reviews Rejected: 0
On Foot - Arcadia by Cindy, 14 Nov 2023
Traveller rating:

Beautiful hiking trip on the Menalon Trail. read more

On Foot - Arcadia by Vt Boots, 1 Nov 2023
Traveller rating:

We opted for the On Foot Holiday 6 night route with an additional 3 rest days in Vitina, Stemnitsa and Dimitsana. Hiking ... read more