Mist rising through the fir forest on Mount Menalo above Vitina

VitinaMount MenaloArcadia

Out the door, into Menalo

Fir forest, snow, a river gorge and stone villages, all within about fifteen kilometres of Vitina.

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01 The mountain

The house stands at the foot of Menalo, and the trails, the snow and the Lousios gorge are close by.

Vitina lies at about 1,036 metres, in a fir forest that stretches from the Tripoli plateau to the Lousios gorge.

In winter there is snow and a ski centre up the road. In spring and autumn there are paths and streams, and in summer, shade and cold water. Below, what we would do, with the distances.

02 By season

What the mountain does, month by month.

Autumn
Mushrooms and cyclamen along the paths. September and October are good months for the trail.
Winter
Snow on the firs, a ski centre up the road, and a fire to come back to.
Spring
Meltwater fills the streams. Late April to May is the best time for the Menalon Trail.
Summer
Shade under the firs, cold water in the gorges, and the pool at the end of the day.

01 The forest

Walking under the firs.

The firs begin behind the village and run on towards the Lousios gorge. Streams cross the paths, and in places the waymarks are clear. The Menalon Trail passes through Vitina, nine kilometres from Elati on one side and twelve to Nymfasia on the other.

Walk one stage, or give it an afternoon.

Distance: From the village
Season: All year; late April to May is best for the long trail
On foot: Elati 9 km, Nymfasia 12 km

Aerial view over the dense fir forest of the Menalo mountains in low sun, with ridges behind — 01The ridgeFirs as far as the horizon.

A rocky forest path between fir trunks with a yellow and white trail waymark — 02On the trailA waymark on a fir trunk.

A pale mushroom among clover and grass on the forest floor — 03UnderfootAutumn, off the path.

02 The snow

Skiing and snow on Menalo.

The Mainalo ski centre is at about 1,600 metres, at the site called Ostrakina, around fourteen kilometres from Vitina. It has eight runs, about 6 km in all, and four drag lifts. The road by way of Levidi is the better kept in snow.

Opening days and road conditions change from week to week. Check before you drive up, or ask us.

Distance: About 14 km from Vitina
Altitude: 1,600 m
Season: Winter, when there is snow

Aerial view of a snow-covered Menalo slope with two cleared ski runs between fir trees — 04The runsTwo cleared runs through the firs.

A snow-covered forest road between heavily laden firs — 05The road upTyre tracks in fresh snow.

Aerial view of a road curving through snow-covered firs on Menalo — 06From aboveThe road through the snowy forest.

03 The horses

Horses in the forest.

Riding in the forest of Vitina is among the activities we list for the region. What is possible depends on the season and the weather, so ask at reception, or write to us before you come.

Season: Year-round, weather permitting
Ask: At reception or by email

A man leading a chestnut horse along a paved mountain road beside bare trees and firs — 07In the sunA chestnut horse on a mountain road.

A chestnut and a dark horse standing head to head on a snowy meadow — 08TogetherTwo horses on a snowy meadow.

04 The gorge

The Lousios gorge.

A deep gorge about fifteen kilometres long, between Karytaina and Dimitsana. Monasteries stand in its walls, among them Prodromou and Philosophou, which is why people call it the Mount Athos of the Peloponnese. Paths follow the river, and rafting and kayaking on the Lousios are part of our Discover Arkadia list.

Length: About 15 km
Nearest village: Dimitsana, 15 km from Vitina
Season: Spring to autumn for the river

Wide view of the Lousios gorge with steep wooded walls, cliffs and a monastery on a ledge in the distance — 09The gorgeWooded walls, and a monastery on a ledge.

Wooden balconies of a monastery built into a cliff, with cypress trees in front — 10In the rockA monastery on the cliff face.

Aerial view of a monastery on the orange cliff of a wooded gorge — 11From aboveThe same ledge, seen from a drone.

05 The villages

Dimitsana and Stemnitsa.

Two stone villages, fifteen kilometres from Vitina and six from each other. Dimitsana has the Open-Air Water Power Museum, opened in 1997 in restored mills, a tannery and a gunpowder works, and a library founded in 1764. Stemnitsa has a silversmith school and a folklore museum.

Distance: Dimitsana 15 km from Vitina
Between them: About 6 km
Season: All year

Aerial view of a stone village with red tiled roofs and a bell tower above a forested valley — 12Red roofsA village above the valley.

A small stone chapel with a bell, a stone bridge over a channel and a large plane tree — 13Stone and waterA chapel beside a mill channel.

A white cascade of meltwater over mossy rocks in a Menalo stream — 14The streamsSnowmelt over the rocks.

03 Distances

How far things are from Vitina.

Approximate distances from Vitina
Place	From Vitina	Good for
Mainalo ski centre	About 14 km	Skiing, snow
Dimitsana	About 15 km	Water Power Museum, library, the gorge
Stemnitsa	About 6 km beyond Dimitsana	Silversmith school, folklore museum
Tripoli	About 24 km	Shops, the road to Athens
Elati	9 km on the Menalon Trail	Walking
Nymfasia	12 km on the Menalon Trail	Walking

Distances are approximate and measured from the village. Mountain roads can be slow in winter.

The pool and main building of Vitina House at twilight

Book your stay

Tell us what you would like to do.

We will help you plan the days, whatever the season.

+30 27950 29014

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