The Peloponnese Way

Few parts of the world can rival mainland Greece for breathtaking landscapes, ancient footpaths, glorious wild flowers, mountain streams, deserted beaches, remote monasteries and welcoming shepherd villages – all in one compact package. And, if you’re looking for a spectacular, varied and manageable hiking route, few parts of Greece can match the Peloponnese. (Bold claims, I know, but having led trekking holidays for 15 years in over a dozen countries, and having scoured Greece from top to bottom, I hope you will grant me them). Read more about me here.

This village-to-village route, launched in 2017 after years of research, and fully updated in 2026, runs from the north coast to the south in 14 hiking days – or more, if you include optional detours and peak ascents.

Covering 225km, it crosses four 2,000-metre (6,500-foot) mountain ranges, passing remote monasteries, myth-steeped caves, river gorges and cool fir forests on its way from Diakopto (in the north) to a little beach near Stoupa (in the south).

The trail is manageable for anyone who has basic map-reading skills and some trekking experience in semi-wild terrain. Buy the excellent Cicerone guidebook and the relevant Anavasi maps, book your accommodation using the links here, get a flight into Athens or Kalamata, take a train or bus to the trailhead, and off you go.

April, May and October are the best months. March and November are ok if you don’t mind shorter, colder days, or June and September if you prefer it hotter. If a fortnight is too long, it splits easily into two halves at the midway town of Tripoli, well served by buses.

If you need help with arrangements, I offer a route-planning and accommodation booking service, which also includes any necessary taxi bookings, plus free GPX files of the route. This initial set-up service is designed – at what I hope is an affordable price – to facilitate and encourage people to hike the trail. For clarity: it is not a full hiking holiday package; there’s no on-the-ground support and you pay the local suppliers directly.

You’ll need the usual equipment: a comfy midsize rucksack (40-50L, larger if you intend to camp), lightweight hiking clothes, good waterproofs, sun protection, sturdy boots and (I dare say) a good supply of Compeed. A smattering of Greek helps, of course, as does some initiative and an open mind. Tents, karrimats and cooking equipment are optional; there is – for now, at least – a hotel, guesthouse or refuge at every overnight stop.

If that leaves you wanting more, my Philhellenic friend and co-writer Tim Salmon has put together a longer and wilder hiking route along the backbone of mainland Greece, called The Pindos Way, running from Amfissa to Albania. This joins up with my route at the Gulf of Corinth to make a truly unforgettable 6-week trans-Greece trail!