July 22, 2017
We begin our trek at the old steamroller at Leonidion’s main bridge, and follow the route up to the mountain church of the Prophet Elias, high on a pine-clad hill east of Leonidon.
This is where the road of stones is located. We return by the same route.
July 31, 2016
On the road Leonidion-Kosma, at an altitude of 1000m, up on a plateau on the fir-clad Parnona mountains, stands the small church of Saint Demetrios. This area is also home to a rare cedar tree (juniperus drupacaea), one of a number of rare plants and trees that are indigenous to the Parnon and Taygetos mountains.
We set off from the small church and descend along a cobblestone path, that offers amazing views of the ravine surrounding the monastery and – on clear days – the sea.
After about an hour and a half’s hike, we reach the Monastery of Panagia Elona.
June 26, 2016
A network of paths link Leonidion to many small regional settlements . One such village is Vaskina, where sheep and goats are bred, raised, and kept for their meat and milk. Our trek begins on the outskirts of the Red Rock Mountain.
We head along a cobblestone path and after an ascent of about 40 minutes, reach the small plateau of Selas. Along the way, we see various flowers and plants and encounter flocks of sheep and goats, as well as numerous sheepfolds, cisterns and roadside shrines.
When we reach Vaskina, we can pick wild dandelions, locally known as “horta”, or visit one of the many stock pens and witness the milking of stock.
June 12, 2016
The town of Leonidion is bounded to the north by the impressive and imposing vertical mountain cliff known locally as “The Red Rock.” On the northeast side of this mountain lies the lowest point of the “step,” as the path has long been called.
Our trek begins at the central bridge over the River Daphnona. From the bridge, we walk along Leonidion’s narrow streets to the All Saints Cemetery. There, we make our way up the old path, and within 45 minutes, we reach the top.
ΑOn one side, we take in the plateau of Petsina, and on the other, we look down at the town of Leonidion. We return, descending the same path, and follow the route back to our initial starting point.
June 5, 2016
The quaint and picturesque harbour of Plaka, the seaport of Leonidion, welcomes its guests at the pretty taverns, under the protective gaze of centuries, the fortress of Ancient Prastonians with its mountain churches, Saint Thanasios and the time-worn church of Saint Demetrios.
The trek to these mountain churches begins at the 5th kilometer of the road which links Leonidion with Tsitalia.
A 45-minute walk up the old cobblestone path brings us to the small church of Saint Thanasios with its breathtaking view of the Mirtoon Pelagos. We return by the same route.
May 29, 2016
The town of Leonidion is bounded to the north by the impressive and imposing vertical mountain cliff known locally as “The Red Rock.” On the northeast side of this mountain lies the lowest point of the “step,” as the path has long been called.
Our trek begins at the central bridge over the River Daphnona. From the bridge, we walk along Leonidion’s narrow streets to the All Saints Cemetery. There, we make our way up the old path, and within 45 minutes, we reach the top.
ΑOn one side, we take in the plateau of Petsina, and on the other, we look down at the town of Leonidion. We return, descending the same path, and follow the route back to our initial starting point.
April 17, 2016
A network of paths link Leonidion to many small regional settlements . One such village is Vaskina, where sheep and goats are bred, raised, and kept for their meat and milk. Our trek begins on the outskirts of the Red Rock Mountain.
We head along a cobblestone path and after an ascent of about 40 minutes, reach the small plateau of Selas. Along the way, we see various flowers and plants and encounter flocks of sheep and goats, as well as numerous sheepfolds, cisterns and roadside shrines.
When we reach Vaskina, we can pick wild dandelions, locally known as “horta”, or visit one of the many stock pens and witness the milking of stock.
April 3, 2016
The quaint and picturesque harbour of Plaka, the seaport of Leonidion, welcomes its guests at the pretty taverns, under the protective gaze of centuries, the fortress of Ancient Prastonians with its mountain churches, Saint Thanasios and the time-worn church of Saint Demetrios.
The trek to these mountain churches begins at the 5th kilometer of the road which links Leonidion with Tsitalia.
A 45-minute walk up the old cobblestone path brings us to the small church of Saint Thanasios with its breathtaking view of the Mirtoon Pelagos. We return by the same route.
January 31, 2016
The countryside around the town of Leonidio is dotted with the small churches and monasteries, which are such a distinctive part of the landscape. The impressive monastery of Saint Nicolas of Sitzas, nestles in a cleft in a mountainside outside Leonidion.
Our route begins at the old steamroller by the main bridge over the Daphnona River, and continues through the neighbourhood south of the river known as Kilaso. Along the way, we can admire the old Tsakonian mansions, an old olive press factory, and the small monastery dependency of Saint Charalambos. We continue on through orchards of apricot and peach trees, a small grove of olive trees, and come to the little church of Saint George/Giorgos, where we stop for a rest.
Next, we begin the climb up to the Monastery of Sitzas, which we reach in about an hour. En route, we encounter many unusual varieties of local plants, and perhaps even, wild goats. Arriving at the monastery, we take in a splendid view of Leonidion and the Red Rock Mountain in the background. We then continue on a ten-minute walk to the Cave of Dionysos. According to one version of the myth, this is where the god Dionysos was raised by, Ino.
We return to the monastery, and then head downhill to Leonidion following the same route back to our initial starting point
November 14, 2015
We begin our trek at the old steamroller at Leonidion’s main bridge, and follow the route up to the mountain church of the Prophet Elias, high on a pine-clad hill east of Leonidon.
This is where the road of stones is located. We return by the same route.