The Caryatides Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails
HIKING
TRAILS
WALK & CYCLE the Caryatides Trails in Greece
The Caryatides Trails is a waymarked network of seven (7) hiking trails and four (4) mountain biking routes, with a total length of 57 km. The trails start from Karyes village in the Peloponnese, just 190 km from Athens.
The Caryatides Trails connect old footpaths and ancient routes, offering options suitable for all hiking levels. If you’re adventurous, love challenges, and want to experience peaceful moments in nature, just choose one of the Caryatides Trails!
The Caryatides Trails route
HIKING & mountain biking ACROSS GREECE
The village Trail
Easy & accessible
Length 4.7 km Hike Duration: 1.5 h
Karyes village Greece
As you walk through the village, you’ll pass charming stone houses with flower-filled courtyards, the famous Caryatid Monument, the old stone-built primary school and the traditional church of Agia Paraskevi.
The journey ends in the picturesque cobbled village square, where welcoming tavernas and cafes invite you to relax and enjoy the local atmosphere.
This well-marked walk offers a leisurely and enjoyable stroll, perfect for exploring one of Mount Parnon’s most picturesque villages. With a gentle 4.8km route and minimal changes in elevation, it provides the ideal balance between relaxation and discovery.
Along the way you’ll also come across the village’s ancient stone fountain in Sakali village, the chapel of Agios Konstantinos on a pinewood hill, and lush estates of walnut and cherry trees.
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Karyes Greece
The Shepherd's Trail
Easy & accessible
Length: 7.4 km Hike Duration 3 h
This scenic 7.4km walk offers a gentle climb of just 227 metres, making it perfect for a relaxing outdoor experience. Following ancient footpaths that once linked cultivated terraces, now peaceful pastures, the Shepherds’ Trail winds through rolling hills dotted with oak trees and, in spring, bursts of wild pear blossoms.
At the westernmost point of the trail you’ll find the Skafidia Fountain, where crystal clear water flows beneath walnut trees and from there, the path follows the Deiros River, shaded by plane trees and lush vegetation, before gently climbing back towards the village.
The journey ends in the upper neighbourhood, where you can visit the Caryatid Monument and take in the breathtaking panoramic views from above.
Karyes Greece
The Ancient Path
Advanced
Length 11.1 km Hike Duration 5 h
The Ancient Path is the oldest known route in Karyes, Laconia, nestled in the heart of Mount Parnon. Starting from the western edge of the village, it leads to the Agora area, a historic site believed to have been the site of a major market since ancient times. The trail then heads north along a country road, weaving through a pine forest before turning south, following the remains of old cultivated fields.
It then crosses open pastures and leads to the Kakari Trees, a striking group of towering, centuries-old oaks. Towards the end of the walk, you’ll pass the church of Panagia (built in 1900), which has a refreshing natural spring and three legendary plane trees – known as Menelaos’ Planes – estimated to be over 2,500 years old.
It is believed that this area was once the site of an open-air sanctuary dedicated to Artemis, where the ritual dance of the Caryatids took place. These graceful maidens of the ancient settlement are said to have inspired the sculptors of classical Greece to create the iconic statues that now adorn the Erechtheion on the Acropolis.
Keep scrolling to explore more overviews of the Caryatides Trails!
CYCLING IN GREECE
Mountain Biking
Caryatides Trails
The Caryatides Trails also include four (4) mountain biking routes that start from Karyes, are marked as part of the Bicycle Routes Network, and cross the forest of Mount Parnon.
These four mountain biking routes are are thoroughly explained in detail in the official website of Karyes.
The mountain biking routes
The first Cycling Route is easy and suitable for all cyclists.
It has a 9.3 km length and the starting point is in the central square of Karyes.
The second Cycling Route is 16 km long and goes through the slopes of Mount. Parnon.
It is a cycling route for experienced cyclists with an 866 meter ascent.
The third Cycling Route is ideal for families as it is the easiest and with an altitude difference of 245 meter ascent.
The fourth Cycling Route is very demanding, as its total length is 21.7 kilometers with an 887 meter ascent.
Karyes Greece
The Water Trail
Easy
Length 4.4 km Hike Duration 1.45 h
The Water Trail is a scenic 4.4km walk that takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and offers a refreshing stroll through one of the coolest and most tranquil areas of Karyes, nestled in the breathtaking landscape of Mount Parnon.
Starting at the cemetery of Agios Nikolaos, the trail follows an old concrete irrigation canal for 1,400 metres, once essential for bringing water to the northern fields of the village. Once you reach the reservoir, known locally as “The Lake”, you can either return to the village or walk the entire route. To do this, follow the forest track marked 4 eastwards before turning south back to your starting point.
Once you reach the reservoir, known locally as “The Lake”, you can either return to the village or walk the entire route. To do this, follow the forest track marked 4 eastwards before turning south back to your starting point.
Karyes Greece
The Forest Trail
Advanced
Length 9,5 km Hike Duration 5 hours
The Forest Trail is 9.5km long with a total climb of 465m and offers a peaceful and relatively easy walk, with no challenging sections and shaded by the dense woodland of Mount Parnon.
The route follows mostly forest tracks, with one section winding along an old footpath, past abandoned estates and the ruins of old farmhouses.
If you set off early in the morning or late in the afternoon, you may be lucky enough to see wild boar, foxes, hares or even a majestic stag roaming the woods.
Karyes Greece
The Chestnut Trail
Advanced
Length 9.7 km Hike Duration 5,3 h
For those seeking a more challenging adventure, the Chestnut Trail offers 9.7km of exploration through the dense forests of Mount Parnon, east of Karyes.
With a total climb of 650 metres, the trail rewards walkers with stunning views, unspoilt gorges, ancient stone fountains and hidden waterfalls. Of course, the highlight of the journey is the majestic chestnut trees that dominate the landscape, making this an unforgettable experience for nature lovers.
This scenic route winds through a breathtaking landscape of chestnut, oak, sycamore, fir and black pine trees, creating a truly immersive nature experience.
Karyes Greece
The Oak Trail
Advanced
Length 5.8 km Hike Duration 2.3 h
The Oak Trail, the seventh and final route in the Caryatides Trails network, stretches for 5.8km through one of the most picturesque and dense oak forests on Mount Parnon. With a gentle climb of 350 metres, this trail is designed for a relaxed and enjoyable hike that can be completed in under three hours with little effort.
Along the way you’ll come across a diverse mix of chestnut, walnut and fir trees, but the highlight of the walk is the legendary Oak of Ai Thanasis. According to tradition, this ancient tree is the mother of all the oaks that now cover Parnon, making it a must-see on your journey through this enchanting forest.
Thanks to...
Thanks to Mr. Stefanos Psimenos you can find photos, trail maps and practical info on the official website of the Caryatides Trails here!
These seven hiking routes are are thoroughly explained in detail in the official website of Karyes.
Why Hike the Caryatides Trails?
Karyes boasts a modern and well-marked network of hiking trails, created through the restoration and promotion of the village’s old footpaths. With its designated hiking and biking routes surrounding Karyes, the stunningly green and picturesque Mount Parnon stands out as one of Greece’s top destinations for outdoor adventure and recreational sports tourism.
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