Explore Stemnitsa

Loop trail in Skemna

Setting off from Stemnitsa and starting from the plateau of Skemna, one can hike a nice and relatively short hike in Mt Mainalon walking on the the loop trail Skemna - Pori - Koskitsa - Bilali - Chalikovrysi - Skemna.

One can reach Skemna either by car (a passable dirt road, which starts east of Stemnitsa), or via the loop trail Short loop around Stemnitsa (Stemnitsa - Agia Paraskevi and back). The starting point of the course is at the end of the dirt road that serves a livestock facility, and specifically at the intersection of the Skemna road with a smaller alley that heads NE, towards a small valley.

From the starting point, take a dirt track that leads to a walnut trees plantation; there deviate to the right, towards a small concrete building and a large rock. At the feet of the rock spot the small Pori spring.

After Pori spring, return to the dirt track, which becomes impassable for vehicles and quite steep (it is the line of a local aqueduct). The dirt track ends at a large meadow, crosses it and joins the course of Menalon Trail. Follow the well-marked (red square) path to the NW, pass a small bassin ruined huts and an abandoned car and enter the large Koskitsa plateau. Head towards the Koskitsa spring, which has no water, but one can still rest under the walnut trees.

From Koskitsa, continue on the nice and well-marked course of Menalon Trail; climb a bit and reach the Bilali pass, a crossroad of old times. Leave the Menalon Trail (which goes downhill towards Zygovisti) and take a very clean and easy path with a clear south direction (very well marked with a red/yellow square). In a tall fir forest, reach the Chalikovrysi spring and then cross drier slopes, where junipers gradually appear. Finally, enter the Skemna plateau , through a treeline of junipers and end up at the starting point, shortly after an old well.

Text and photos by T. Adamakopoulos

Signage

Marking and signposting

Most of the trail is very well marked, with Menalon Trail signposts and marks and the red/yellow marks along the Bilali-Stemnitsa leg. Only the ascent from Pori is not marked.

The marking is two-way.

topoguide Greece

Menalon Trail topoguide

Mt Menalon topoguide is the best companion guide to hike along the trailw of Mt Menalon area.

The digital field guide Mt Menalon topoguide is available for Android devices as an in-app purchase within the application topoguide Greece. Mt Menalon Trail is a member of the Peloponnese group.

The digital field guide Mt Menalon topoguide is also available for iOS (iPhone and iPad) devices as an in-app purchase within the application Topoguide Greece. There also, Mt Menalon is a member of the Peloponnese group.

Mt Menalon topoguide offers active guidance along the trail, as well as an extented guidebook on the geography, the nature and the history of the area.