Pelops Walks offer both guided and self-guided walking tours together with a seven day point-to-point trek. With both programmes you will receive well-researched notes to enable you to make the most of your time in Greece. The walks programme offers a choice of 15 journeys, all starting from Kardamili, depending on your preferences.
We will point out the best swimming bays, picnic points, ancient sites and of course, recommend the best tavernas. You follow the 1000 year-old mule tracks still used to this day taking farmers to and from their olive and almond fields. Along the routes you stop at neighbouring hamlets to admire the old architecture of the simple Mani houses and perhaps take a cool refreshing drink at a local kafeneion.
Most of the walking is on good well-marked footpaths, often following the kaldaremi (old cobbled mule tracks). A few of the paths are quite steep; the gorge walk requires a degree of clambering over rocks. Ascents/ descents vary on the daily walks but are mostly up to 400 - 600 metres above sea level. The highest point of any walk is 1000 metres.
As you select from a menu of walks available, you choose the degree of difficulty depending on how you feel. There are also options contained within the trekking programme. You can expect to walk for an average of three to five hours each day on the walk tours and slightly longers on the treks. All the walks & treks are marked as easy/moderate and a reasonable amount of fitness is suggested. With either choice there is plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and sites at your leisure. The distance and routes you cover are entirely up to you.
A map and detailed walking notes will be provided. If you wish to purchase a map in advance you can obtain one from Stanfords in London (Tel: 0207 836 1321) www.stanfords.co.uk or The Map Shop in Upton-upon-Severn (Tel: 01684 593146) www.themapshop.co.uk . The best available walking maps of the Mani region of the Peloponnese are published by Road Editions and Anavasi.