E4 Trail Mt.Taygetus, 23-27 September 2024

Arrive at Sparta and settle to your hotel in Mystras.

Spend the rest of your day, sightseeing hiking the Mystra Byzantine citadel.

Mystras or Mistras (Greek: Μυστράς), is a fortified medieval town in Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece. Situated on the slopes of Mt. Taygetos, near ancient Sparta, it served as the capital of the Byzantine Despotate of the Morea in the 14th and 15th centuries, experiencing a period of prosperity and cultural flowering. The site remained inhabited throughout the Ottoman period, when it was mistaken by Western travelers for ancient Sparta. In the 1830s, it was abandoned and the new town of Sparti was built, approximately eight kilometers to the east. The archaeological site stands above the modern village of Mystras and the city of Sparta. The forests surrounding the area are composed mainly of pine trees and cypresses. Many small rivers are found in the region.

Hiking Details:

Inside the citadel, the dense network of cobblestone streets makes it impractical to follow detailed route instructions however on average and based on our gpx route

• 4 km to Citadel, plus 2.7km downhill path (with direct return to the site entrance)
• 2 hours uphill, plus 1 hour downhill (excluding the time stopped in monuments)

Hike from Mystras village, following E4 trail to the Cave and chapel of Lagkadiotissa. Continue uphill through the namesake gorge, towards Faneromeni monastery and finish at the mountainous picturesque village of Anavryti.

Lagkadiotissa gorge starts from Parori village, on the foot of Mount Taygetos, and although short, has some pretty dramatic landscape. The path inside the gorge is set on top  of a concrete water-pipe, for a large part of the hike. Inside the gorge is the location of Panagia Lagkadiotissa Cave, that holds the namesake 13th century Chapel. This is the place where Constantinos Palaiologos, the last emperor of the Byzantine Empire, attended the mass for the last time before leaving for his historical trip to Constantinople, to defend the empire’s capital during the 1453 siege by the Ottomans. For this reason, locals still paint the chapel deep red, which was the color of the Byzantine emperors. Continuing up the valley, we end up in Faneromeni Monastery, built in 19th century.

Anavryti or Anavriti (greek: Αναβρυτή) is a small village in Laconia, on Taygetus mountain, altitude 850m. Above the Evrotas valley, Anavryti is traversed by European walking route E4. It is part of the municipal unit of Mystras.  A paved road to Anavryti was built in the 1980s with donations sent by the Anavryti Hometown society in Astoria, Queens, New York. Until that time, the village could only be accessed on foot or by donkey. During World War II Nazi occupation, forces made the steep climb up to the village to destroy the houses of suspected partisans.

• Distance / Time: 8.7 km / 3.5 hours
• Ascent / Descent: 630m / 116m
• Min / Max Altitude: 279m / 825m
• Grade:Easy (with some narrow path sections)
• Terrain:Paved asphalt road, dirt road, cobblestone path, dirt path, Concrete path

After breakfast depart on a 5-hour hike (approximately) from Anavriti village, uphill towards Lakkomata spring. Traverse of the Alpine zone on the east face of Mt Taygetos, towards to the refuge of the Hellenic Mountaineering Association of Sparti. The path passes through cultivated areas as well as through fir and pine forests. It is a route of great beauty.

• Distance / Time: 12.3 km / 5 hours
• Ascent / Descent: 1100m / 400m
• Min / Max Altitude: 787m / 1556m
• Grade:Moderate. A tiring initial climb is followed by an easier traverse.
• Terrain: Paved dirt road, dirt path

Overnight on EOS Mountain Refuge in shared dorms / berths.

Today, enjoy a  2½ – 3 ascend up to the peak of Mt. Taygetus.

The peak is renowned for its pyramid shape and its unique views. The view from the top includes most of the Evrotas valley and the Parnon range to the East, while the view towards the West includes Kalamata and the eastern half of Messenia. Most of the southwestern part of Arcadia can also be seen from the summit. The route is initially on a forested ground of Greek fir and black pine and then continues on the alpine zone with no trees. Return to the shelter (another 2½ – 3 hrs).

• Distance / Time: 5.3 km / 5 hours
• Ascent / Descent: 860m / 10m
• Min / Max Altitude: 1550m / 2407m
• Grade:Moderate. Clouds usually cover summit after noon.
• Terrain: Paved dirt road, dirt path, rocky path.

Overnight on EOS Mountain Refuge in shared dorms / berths.