The monastary of the Panagia Elona is an important part both of the history and of life today in Leonidion and Southern Kynouria. Impressively built in a cleft in the mountain rock, the monastery stands at an altitude of 650 meters.

A 10 km drive alongside the Daphnona River brings us to a small spring which locals call “The Hunters’ Spring”. Here, with the Monastery high above us in the mountain, we park our vehicles and begin our trek. We descend the slope to the dry river bed and cross over to an old watermill. From there, we head uphill, following a well-preserved cobblestone path. Within about 35 minutes, we reach the entrance to the monastery, with its stone steps and impressive views.

We return following the same route.