Lagkadia

 (Usual waiver applies to grammar, typos, spelling as I'm posting via a small phone screen on the hoof 🤭, click on the pics to zoom in).

Our last day on the Menalon Trail. The forecast was for a high of 9°C and a low of -2°C and precipitation around 2pm. No wind though so we didn't have the wind chill factor like yesterday 🥶🥶🥶.

The lovely hostess at our hotel made us a gorgeous breakfast and sent us on our way with a package of her home made apple strudel. So kind and the best place on the trail! We set off and the sun was out and the sky was blue 👍. Awesome way to start the last day.

As we were on the climb out of Valtesiniko village I thought I heard someone calling my name and I looked back down the trail to see Talia! We had walked together for about three days. We actually started the trail together so it was nice to go full circle and finish the trail together. Talia has been hiking on her own, she's a gutsy lady.

 

We had to follow the green trail markers today and God bless the good folks that marked this section, it was really clear.

This last section of the Menalon Trail felt like a bit of every stage of the trail rolled into one, hard slog up hillsides, some farmers meadow's with spring flowers, forest paths soft underfoot, small stream crossings, boulder hopping, almond orchards, quarry remains, shale and rock challenges and magnificent views. We could see why it was so cold, check out the snow in the pic below. 

One small section had ropes for safety and I was glad of them, but it was pretty easy.

The views, when you caught your breath, were spectacular. 

I loved passing little monks and shepherds shelters. You could see how useful they would be in bad weather.

When we finally hauled our tired selves up the last ridge and we could see the final village of Lagkadia we had a "high five" moment! It was still at least an hour descent, but nice nonetheless to see it in view as the weather was starting to change.

This is where the green trail markers let us down, there was a big gap and  it was a bit confusing. The path  started to take you away from the village so after about a 10 minute backtrack on a sheep track we starting winding our way down and all was well. 

We passed an old waterwheel that used to power the village. It was steep going, nothing like one last challenge to close out the trail.

We could see the main village road was blocked by landslides....no cars in or out that road😲. We decided we'd work out our exit strategy after lunch, we needed rest and good food beside a fire. 

We found a great restaurant on the side of the canyon, the fire was on and our final lunch together was just perfect , chef's kiss👌. Check out the baklava.

 

Lagkadia has some groovy shops and a couple of good taverna. 

The kitty cats on this doorstep could sense the weather changing, clever creatures.

View out our hotel window after lunch and showers. Glad we finished the trail the time we did. Tomorrow, with no bus able to get to the village,  our hotel has arranged for a taxi to take us via a back road to a bus stop about 30 minutes away and we hope to get a bus to Tripoli - all part of the adventure!

Menalon Trail you have been fantastic. Challenging, beautiful, unique, quiet and unspoiled. It reminded us of the Camino Santiago back in the early days. It may gain in popularity but you really have to want to come to this special area, Arcadia in the Peloponesse. The monasteries are stunning, the food is divine - fresh, wholesome and good size portions for hiking. The locals have been lovely. The history of each village unique and fascinating. We only met six other hikers but they were good folks,  equally in awe of this adventure. We got a lift from the local police too ...a real adventure all round💗

Now we can give our calves a few days rest and recovery 😁 before......watch this space xx 💗

Lagkadia Four Seasons Hotel