Around Leondinion

There are two excellent walks around the pleasant east-coast town of Leondinion in its dramatic mountain setting.

Leondinion to Livadi: A pleasing and fairly straightforward 11km/4hr tramp on old mulepaths to the charming upland village of Melana, and on to Livadi near the sea.

Ayio Athanasio to Leondinion: an exciting but lengthy (24km/6.5hrs+) and quite demanding walk from a roadhead near the gorgeously sited Ayio Athanasio chapel to the quiet upland village of Tsitaia. Then on (after a slightly monotonous crossing of hillsides on a poor path) to the thrillingly perched Sintzas monastery in its huge overhanging cliffs. From there it is a pleasant and interesting 1hr descent to Leondinion.

You can walk shorter versions of these walks.

Both walks (and some alternatives) are described in the excellent Sunflower Landscapes of the Southern Peloponnese.

Near by is a fine walk from Pigali to Poulithra; so you could make a half-week base in the area.

Find the books and maps listed above, and many more:

For more information and photos, including detailed practical information and some warnings, see our Taygetus and the Mani walk page.

Anyone got good photos? We'd love to post them!