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.

On the road to Kosma, with a wonderful view up to the Monastery of Elona, is a small stone fountain, known as The Hunters’ Spring.

This is our starting point for our trek to the spring among the cypress trees, in an area the locals call “Drouskia”. We make our way through the gorge of Elona, descending to the dry river, and following the cobblestone path that leads to Kosma.

A 45-minute hike brings us to the water source, with its crystal water. We enjoy the beauty of the area and return along the same path.

The countryside around the town of Leonidion is dotted with small churches and monasteries which are such a distinctive part of the landscape. One such church is the Church of the Prophet Elias. We set off from the main bridge on the road that encircles Leonidion.

We head into Kilaso, the neighborhood in the south side of Leonidion. After climbing up the narrow streets for about 15 minutes, we leave the last of the houses behind, and take a path lined with pine trees, which leads us to the Church of the Prophet Elias.

Along the way, we admire flowers in bloom and feel the energy and beauty of nature. Arriving at our destination, Leonidion unfolds at our feet and the Mirtoon Pelagos lines the horizon.

On our way back to town, we visit the nearby church of the Panagia Hatzialous and complete our tour back at the starting point

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.

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.

On the road to Kosma, with a wonderful view up to the Monastery of Elona, is a small stone fountain, known as The Hunters’ Spring.

This is our starting point for our trek to the spring among the cypress trees, in an area the locals call “Drouskia”. We make our way through the gorge of Elona, descending to the dry river, and following the cobblestone path that leads to Kosma.

A 45-minute hike brings us to the water source, with its crystal water. We enjoy the beauty of the area and return along the same path.

The countryside around the town of Leonidion is dotted with small churches and monasteries which are such a distinctive part of the landscape. One such church is the Church of the Prophet Elias. We set off from the main bridge on the road that encircles Leonidion.

We head into Kilaso, the neighborhood in the south side of Leonidion. After climbing up the narrow streets for about 15 minutes, we leave the last of the houses behind, and take a path lined with pine trees, which leads us to the Church of the Prophet Elias.

Along the way, we admire flowers in bloom and feel the energy and beauty of nature. Arriving at our destination, Leonidion unfolds at our feet and the Mirtoon Pelagos lines the horizon.

On our way back to town, we visit the nearby church of the Panagia Hatzialous and complete our tour back at the starting point.

The town of Leonidion, with its impressive natural and architectural beauty, is one of the most beautiful spots in the region. The main bridge over the Daphnona River, the three remaining wind mills on a hillside east of town, the mountain side churches, as well as the town’s old towers, mansions, and winding paths, all speak of Leonidion’s long and distinguished past.

Our tour begins in the heart of Leonidion, at the bridge over the Daphnona River, which cuts Leonidion in two. We set off from the handsome restored antique steamroller, which was used to construct the roads many years ago.

Crossing the bridge, we head west on the main road, that encircles Leonidion. We come to an area locals refer to as “The Mill” , where an old windmill and the small church of Saint Nektarios are located.

From the windmill, we walk east along the path of the “Dexameni,” the town’s reservoir, making our way in the long shadow of the imposing almost vertical mountain cliff, which the locals call the “Red Rock.”

We continue on to the Cemetery of All Saints, many of whose marble headstones are true works of art. A small walk on through a small pine forest brings us to the location known as the Three Windmills. The view from this spot is impressive, with the fertile valley and the sea below us to our left, and the town of Leonidion and the Parnon mountain range off to our right.

On our way back into town, we pass the Tsikaliotis Tower, one of the most beautiful traditional mansions of the area. We finish our walk, having completed a full circle round Leonidion, back at the starting point.

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.