Please note: the report is not yet finished.
(I published it accidentally, but will continue it as soon as possible).
To say it in a nutshell: it was really high time to do some hiking.
Between April, 20th and May, 2nd, we were hiking the Peloponnesus. We carried little luggage in our backpacks. We wanted to hike from Diakopto to Gythio.
We had a wonderful time. Also, we managed to walk quite a nice part of the way. And we decided that we will soon return and continue.
I had to re-learn how to hike. And I certainly had underestimated the high mountains of the Peloponnesus. A few days into the tour, I felt considerably better. But the beginning was truly atrocious. The first leg, Kalavryta to Planitero, was 18 km, with many metres uphill and, worse, even more metres downhill. After all, we had started at an elevation of 725 metres in Kavralita – which was the final station of the Diakopta rack-and-pinion railway.
We had our luggage with us. And that was something that really almost killed me. We actually lucked out in the evening: four Swiss ladies and their pick-up truck. We found a hotel and they gave us a lift on the loading deck of their pick-up truck. But nevertheless, I was totally out of it in the evening and during the next day. That taught us a lesson.
Rolf (from Switzerland, is in charge of E4 and also author of the book … )
Lessons learned:
Do not make plans, at least not from a distance.
Times given on the signs for distances are very optimistic.
Time of year:
April/May very good – the best time.
Cool at night – summer in the daytime.
Stoves – look like they have been constructed from half an oil barrel. Firewood from the top. Can be found in all the Kafenions and taverns.
Orientation:
Not always easy.
Preparing well with maps makes sense – alternatively, you might wish to load a track onto your mobile phone.
Paths:
Very diverse, few tarmac roads, once in a while also through (primitive) countryside.
The level of difficulty: not dangerous (no dangerous overhangs, no mountaineering,…) , but often quite strenuous.
Lay of the land and weather: Just fantastic, very diverse, great greens and many colours, often nature pure. Fauna! The weather was fabulous. The only time it rained was during our second day of hiking in the afternoon. Initially, evenings were cool, but it got warmer with each day, yet it was never hot.
Risks:
1 snake, a few dogs that barked quite loud, but they seem to be more scared than we are. The good news was that we never got any blisters, which means we did not need the blister patches.
Staying overnight: Diakopta, Hotel Chris Paul (1 night, 40 €) Planitero, Hotel Achais (1 night, 40 €) Kleitoria, Mont Helmos Hotel (3 nights, 100 €) Dara, Arhontiko Kordopati Traditional Guesthous (1 night, 70 €) Vytina, Archontiko Nikonlopoulou (2 nights, 130 €), Gythio, Hotel Aktaion (3 nights, 135 €) Athen, Urban Rooms (1 nights, 40 €) (All prices for two including breakfast, except Urban Rooms). All hotels can be recommended. I would not choose the Urban News in Athens again.
Advice:
Hiking from Elati to Vytina was a very special experience, so were the E4 routes.
Mobility cost:
(single fare for two persons – except flight)
Going out
Neubiberg – München (Franz-Josef-Srauß), S-Bahn 23.50 €
Flug München-Athen (return for two persons) Lufthansa 236 €
Athen (airport) – Kiato, train 24.50 €
Kiato – Diakopta, Bus 9.50 €
Diakopta – Kalavryta, rack-and-pinion railway 19.00 €
Transfers from Vatyna to Gythio
Taxi and luggage transport ca. 130 €
Vatyna – Gythio (Bus)
Vatyna – Tripolis 9.40 €
Tripolis – Gythio 21.20 €
Going back
Gythio – Athen (Bus) 52.20
Athen – Airport, Underground 15.00 €
Flight see going out
S-Bahn from MUC airport to Neubiberg 23.50 €
RMD
(Translated by EG)
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