ARACHOVA
So, depending on your interests, choose your favourite hiking route, pack your gear, and let’s start walking!
Arachova–Mana Springs – Baindánis
At the 3rd km of the Aráhova-Parnassos route, make a right-hand turn towards Livadiá, and follow the asphalt road. After 1.5 km, proceed straight ahead to the uphill dirt track on your left. After about 3 km walk through the fir tree forest, you will reach the Mana springs, situated at an altitude of 1,500m. Here, on the edge of a 300m long gorge, the waters are gathered pouring down the Tsarkórahi slope. Continue on this path; while ascending you will start feeling the biting cold. Stand still for a while, and take in views of the Corinthian Gulf. Walk for another 3 km: the Baindánis peak (1,840m) towers above you. Walk through wild flowers, and enjoy the scenic view from the Baindánis plateau. At this point, various trails begin. Climb the Baindánis rock at an altitude of 2,220m, and follow mountain trails leading to the Liákoura peak at 2,457m (or other peaks, such as Tsárkos, Petritis, and Vlahólaka). Head to the Akrinó Neró site, towards the Monastery of Saint Jerusalem (Davlia), or alternatively follow the signs leading towards Zemenó.
Eptalofos – Delphi
This route forms part of the E4 international hiking trail. Its starting point is Eptálofos. Hikers really love this trail because it crosses the most beautiful locations on Mt. Parnassos, and leads to the archaeological site of Delphi. It is a rather easy trail (actual walking time 7h). After reaching Eptálofos, follow the asphalt road to Aráhova until you find the sign of the E4 hiking trail pointing in the direction of the Ayia Triáda springs. Head southwards, cross the fir tree forest and pass the mountain track leading to Drosohóri village. At this point, take the path which descends to an extensive valley cavity, until you meet the country road. This path leads you to the main forest road, where there is a small spring and a signpost showing the way to the rest of your route. Follow this road for about another 15 min, and then walk along the ridge of the mountain. It will take you to a downhill slope. The road appears again in front of you leading you to Meyáli Vrisi. From here, follow the water-pipe above the spring. Walk for about an hour to the Kalania cavity. Follow the dirt track until it splits; turn right and keep going until the next junction, where you will exit the dirt track. Here a sign directs you down the trail which follows the water-pipe of the Kria Vrisi village in Delphi. From there, as you leave the stream behind you, keep on walking past Fedriádes, to reach the cobblestone pathway which takes you to the archaeological site of Delphi.
Tithorea–Cave of Odysseus Androutsos
This trail begins at Platanákos spot, at the southernmost extremity of the village, next to the bust of Androútsos, and ends in the cave which was used as a military base during the Greek War of Independence. The trail soon becomes a narrow path, while it widens again as you continue in a southbound and uphill direction. On your left you will see the Cahála gorge. On your right, observe the several caves carved into the rocky mountain. The trail passes through the chapel of Saint George, with the huge surrounding oak trees, and then a spring, after which you will continue uphill in a south-west direction in order to reach the cave with its nearly square-shaped entrance. This rather short and easy hiking route (actual walking time 1h15) ends here.
Hiking on Mt. Parnassos
Hike the mountain trails on Mt. Parnassos, and discover the unspoiled Greece while following walking paths through wild flowers, lush valleys, ancient sites, and old pathways. Using the small near-by villages as your points of departure hit natural trails that will lead you to mountain peaks and breathtaking landscapes.So, depending on your interests, choose your favourite hiking route, pack your gear, and let’s start walking!
Arachova–Mana Springs – Baindánis
At the 3rd km of the Aráhova-Parnassos route, make a right-hand turn towards Livadiá, and follow the asphalt road. After 1.5 km, proceed straight ahead to the uphill dirt track on your left. After about 3 km walk through the fir tree forest, you will reach the Mana springs, situated at an altitude of 1,500m. Here, on the edge of a 300m long gorge, the waters are gathered pouring down the Tsarkórahi slope. Continue on this path; while ascending you will start feeling the biting cold. Stand still for a while, and take in views of the Corinthian Gulf. Walk for another 3 km: the Baindánis peak (1,840m) towers above you. Walk through wild flowers, and enjoy the scenic view from the Baindánis plateau. At this point, various trails begin. Climb the Baindánis rock at an altitude of 2,220m, and follow mountain trails leading to the Liákoura peak at 2,457m (or other peaks, such as Tsárkos, Petritis, and Vlahólaka). Head to the Akrinó Neró site, towards the Monastery of Saint Jerusalem (Davlia), or alternatively follow the signs leading towards Zemenó.
Eptalofos – Delphi
This route forms part of the E4 international hiking trail. Its starting point is Eptálofos. Hikers really love this trail because it crosses the most beautiful locations on Mt. Parnassos, and leads to the archaeological site of Delphi. It is a rather easy trail (actual walking time 7h). After reaching Eptálofos, follow the asphalt road to Aráhova until you find the sign of the E4 hiking trail pointing in the direction of the Ayia Triáda springs. Head southwards, cross the fir tree forest and pass the mountain track leading to Drosohóri village. At this point, take the path which descends to an extensive valley cavity, until you meet the country road. This path leads you to the main forest road, where there is a small spring and a signpost showing the way to the rest of your route. Follow this road for about another 15 min, and then walk along the ridge of the mountain. It will take you to a downhill slope. The road appears again in front of you leading you to Meyáli Vrisi. From here, follow the water-pipe above the spring. Walk for about an hour to the Kalania cavity. Follow the dirt track until it splits; turn right and keep going until the next junction, where you will exit the dirt track. Here a sign directs you down the trail which follows the water-pipe of the Kria Vrisi village in Delphi. From there, as you leave the stream behind you, keep on walking past Fedriádes, to reach the cobblestone pathway which takes you to the archaeological site of Delphi.
Tithorea–Cave of Odysseus Androutsos
This trail begins at Platanákos spot, at the southernmost extremity of the village, next to the bust of Androútsos, and ends in the cave which was used as a military base during the Greek War of Independence. The trail soon becomes a narrow path, while it widens again as you continue in a southbound and uphill direction. On your left you will see the Cahála gorge. On your right, observe the several caves carved into the rocky mountain. The trail passes through the chapel of Saint George, with the huge surrounding oak trees, and then a spring, after which you will continue uphill in a south-west direction in order to reach the cave with its nearly square-shaped entrance. This rather short and easy hiking route (actual walking time 1h15) ends here.
