These half-day walks range from a gentle 6kms to 12.5 kms and are mostly graded as easy to moderate.

Amble over to Petrovouni. The walk winds it way through the mediaeval remnants of the old town of Kardamili before ascending steeply up to the Byzantine chapel of Aghia Sophia at a height of 200 metres. The track then snakes gently down to a cool dry stream bed before heading up to the quaint hamlet of Petrovouni (180 metres). Stop to admire the wonderful views to the coast before returning on a beautifully maintained kalderimi. This is an ideal introductory walk to get a taste of the Mani with plenty of interesting stopping off points.

Saunter through Stavropigio. The track starts some 30 minutes north of Kardamili in the elegant village of Kambos, famed for the Byzantine church of Aghios Theodoris. The mule path then meanders towards Stavropigio and the ancient 3000 year-old Mycenaean beehive tomb and ruined Koumoundorous Tower before reaching the 15th century Zarnatas Castle. The trail climbs to a height of 300 metres with magnificent views down to the sea and the island of Meropi before descending back to Kardamili along the beach. 

Meander from Milea.  The trail starts half way up the mountain at the pretty village of Milea (500 metres). The route then gently wanders down to the coast at Aghios Nicholaos via the hamlets of Isna and Riglia. Isna is perched dramatically high on a rock overlooking the gorge with spectacular views down to the coast. This walk can easily be linked with the more demanding ‘Monastery in the Sky’ trail if you prefer a day hike, or ‘Coastal Footpath’ if you choose to walk further to Stoupa.

Selenitsa Circular. The walk starts at the quaint harbour village of Aghios Nicholaos (known locally by its original Slavic name of Selenitsa). From sea level the track climbs steeply to the hamlet of Kotroni and onwards up to Platsa with its beautiful neo-classical houses, at a height of 380 metres. The spectacular views down to the coast are magnificent. Winding around the contours of the hill the trail drops down to the chocolate box village of Pigi before descending down to the coast at Pantazi Beach and return to Selenitsa.

Monastery in the Sky. The ascent starts up the mountain at the village of Milea (500 metres). The old pilgrim trail then winds up a well preserved kalderimi to the impressive ‘spaceship’ monastery of Panagia Giatrissa perched high on top of a promontory at 1000 metres. This walk takes us to the highest point in the programme. The trail snakes it way back down the mountain along a fairly new dirt road. This walk can easily be linked with ‘Meander from Milea’ if you choose to continue down to sea level at Selenitsa.

Perambulate to Proastio. The trail winds steeply up a well-maintained kalderimi to the Byzantine chapel of Aghia Sophia at a height of 200 metres before zigzagging cross country to the tiny community of Kato Hora (450 metres) and then through to the larger village of Exochori with some lovely frescoes on view. The route finally twists down to the lively hamlet of Proastio with its many chapels and churches, before descending to the clear blue water on the coast at Foneas Cove.

Ascent to Exochori. The mule path twists up to the hamlet of Petrovouni overlooking the sea before ascending onwards to the hill-side village of Exochori at 450 metres. The dirt trail then gently meanders down around the contours of the hill to Proastio; an area famed for its orchids in the spring and collection of some 30 chapels and churches. The trail finishes with a descent to the coast at the beautiful swimming spot at Kalamitsi Bay, a ten minute walk back to Kardamili. 

Monasteries in the Gorge. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the peace and serenity of the gorge. A fair degree of fitness and stamina is required as it entails walking up the gorge to a height of 200 metres to view the Byzantine chapels of Moni Lykakiou and Moni Sotiris before climbing steeply up to Pedinon and Kalyves with beautiful views to the sea and returning around the foothills to Kardamili. A great opportunity to swim at the end of the walk at Ritsa, the main Kardamili Beach.