6 hour(s)
English
Included
Hike through the stunning Lousios Gorge, a natural wonder steeped in history
Visit ancient monasteries like the 963 AD Philosophou and the cliff-hanging Prodromou Monastery
Explore ancient hermitages, mills, and springs, crossing the Lousios River, linked to Zeus' legend
Stop for a homemade snack and visit the ancient city of Gortys, once a sanctuary of health
End the hike with a refreshing dip in the river before returning to the starting point
€ 60
€ 55.20
Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
Lowest Price Guarantee — no other provider offers this tour for less
The Lousios Gorge, located on the western slopes of Mount Menalon in the heart of the Peloponnese, is a breathtaking natural wonder, rich in both history and beauty. This rugged canyon, through which the Lousios River flows, is known for its wild landscapes, ancient monasteries perched on cliffs, and the diverse flora and fauna that thrive within its depths. Our hike here is a journey through time, with each step leading you to a new story, from the cliff-hanging Prodromou Monastery to the ancient and modern Philosophou Monasteries.
Your adventure begins at the new Philosophou Monastery, where your guide will brief you on the hike ahead. From there, venture into the Lousios Gorge to reach the venerable old Philosophou Monastery, founded in 963 AD. Set within a tranquil forest, this ancient Byzantine monument offers stunning views of the gorge below.
As you continue deeper into the gorge, the path unveils ancient hermitages, old mills, and natural springs, crossing the majestic Lousios River—a river that, according to legend, bathed the infant Zeus. The hike also includes a visit to the Prodromou (St. John the Baptist) Monastery, an architectural gem of Greek Orthodox design, built on the edge of a cliff in the 16th century, representing both historical fortitude and spiritual serenity.
A well-deserved break halfway through allows you to enjoy a homemade snack, refueling for the next leg of the journey. The trail then leads you to Ancient Gortys, an ancient city located along the river, once dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing. This site served as a sanctuary for health and recovery, making it a place of great significance in antiquity.
As the hike concludes, take a moment to soak your feet in the cool waters of the river, a fitting end to your journey before your guide transports you back to the starting point.
Expert local guide
Sightseeing tour planning
Picnic with local delicacies
Photographs from the tour
Liability insurance
All taxes
Snacks
Gratuities for the guide or staff
Hotel pickup and drop-off available
Bottle of water
Hat
Sun screen
Hiking shoes or trainers
Hiking backpack
This outdoor activity requires at least 2 participants
Outdoor activities may change or be canceled due to weather or other reasons
Local picnic with authentic products and tour photos
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
Loading pick up points...
Loading pick up points...
Beautiful place on the river. We also did the hiking trip to the monastery. I recomend to start from the monastery amd go down to the river
We hiked a small portion of the trail, from the monastery to the river. it was exactly 15 minutes down, and 15 minutes to return uphill, back to the monastery. Beautiful river with crystal clear water, a bridge, and a cave.
Beautiful, the best tip is to arrange local taxi driver at stimisina or dimitsana. Or to call one from a information board in the monastery parking. There is bad celular re caption in this place.
Fantastic hike from Dimitsana to Stemnitsa. It’s 12.5km from the centre of Dimitsana to the center of Stemnitsa. Be aware the trail gets flooded close to Dimitsana, but only a small part of it. Use caution. There is a 900m altitude gain hiking from Dimitsana to Stemnitsa and a 600m altitude loss. The hike can be done anywhere betweeen 2.5h-4.5/5h depending on endurance, gear, and number of stops.
Moderate difficulty, bring drinking water, there are some great views and the monasteries are lovely. If you go on a hot day ship your feet (or your whole body) into the river for a nice cool down. I did, it was fantastic.
