Why Visit This Time of Year?

Deeply connected to nature and pastoral life – and, according to myth, the birthplace of the god Pan – the region known in Greek as Oreini Arkadia (“Mountainous Arcadia”) is a beloved destination for spring weekends. The Lousios and Alfeios rivers, Mt Mainalo, the gorges, and the fir-covered slopes all come alive with color in April and May, creating a one-of-a-kind natural landscape.

How to Enjoy Nature

Hiking in the Lousios Gorge is an unforgettable experience. Along with rivers, bridges and lush vegetation, you’ll also pass significant cultural landmarks such as the ancient city of Gortys, which flourished in the 4th century BC, and the Prodromos Monastery, built into a vertical cliff face along the gorge. Believed to have been founded in the 16th century, the monastery lies close to the start of a path that runs down to the river and crosses to the other side, where you’ll find ruins of the Old Monastery of the Philosopher and the (still-in-operation) New Monastery of the Philosopher. The former was built in 963 AD, the latter in the 17th century. The trail is well-marked, and you’ll need about an hour to reach the New Monastery of the Philosopher from the parking area nearest to the Prodromos Monastery.

Spring is perfect for mountain hiking. The Menalon Trail, a unique 75-kilometer route divided into eight sections, connects eight traditional villages. The easiest and shortest sections are between Dimitsana and Zygovisti (4.2 km) and Vytina and Nymfasia (5.6 km). The trail takes you under forest canopies and along the fir-covered slopes of Mainalo.

For adventure lovers, the Lousios River is also ideal for rafting. The river ride begins at the Atsicholos Bridge near the village of Elliniko and ends at the Koukos Bridge. You’ll experience the thrill of navigating rapids before you reach the confluence with the Alfeios River and continue into calmer waters.

Up for a Longer Drive?

Plan a road trip from the mountain village of Vytina to Valtesiniko, Stemnitsa and Lagkadia, all with beautiful views. In Karytaina, make sure to check out the stone bridge, and in the village of Psari, stop by the Arkadiani Farm—a multi-purpose experiential site that includes a restaurant, a traditional product workshop, and a small culinary museum.

What to Eat and Where

Oreini Arkadia is known for its meats, cheeses and traditional pasta, staples you’ll find in village tavernas. A unique local specialty is “pork braid,” thin strips of pork belly braided and grilled to juicy perfection. Try it at Ou Mplexeis (Zatouna, Tel. (+30) 697.330.6226).

At family-run Zerzova Taverna (just outside of the village of Markou, Tel. (+30) 693.284.7358), the owners raise livestock, grow vegetables and produce most of what they cook. Try their boiled goat, their wild greens, their rooster with homemade hilopites (local pasta), or anything baked in their wood-fired oven.

The Gastro-Kafeneio Syrna (Syrna, Tel. (+30) 697.727.8398) serves imaginative dishes made from mostly local products. Don’t miss the kadaifi with Arcadian graviera cheese, the pork with trahana, or the traditional lagoto (beef stew with garlic).

Where to Stay

There are many great options for accommodation in the area. If you want to stay close to the river, choose one of the guesthouses on the lower side of Dimitsana, such as the Methexis Boutique Hotel (Dimitsana, Tel. (+30) 27950.313.17), which is stylish and modern, with all the comforts. Archontiko Anyfanti (Zatouna, Tel. (+30) 27950.292.02) is housed in a renovated 1840s stone building and offers lovingly maintained rooms and a generous breakfast. At Elafos Spa Hotel (Elliniko, Tel. (+30) 27910.316.00), many rooms have fireplaces and jacuzzis. In Mpelleiko (Stemnitsa, tel. +30 27950-81286), you’ll enjoy stunning village views and warm hospitality.

Don’t Leave Without Picking Up …

Tsatsoulis Dairy (Vytina, Tel. (+30) 27950.225.61) has been making cheeses since 1958. Try their aged, spicy feta and their rich, thick sheep’s yogurt with the traditional skin on top. Also in Vytina, at Aroma Vytinas (Tel. (+30) 27950.224.49), you’ll find a wide selection of local goods, from pasta and herbs to nuts and cheeses. In Dimitsana, Filemata (Tel. (+30) 27950.311.89) offers an array of traditional pasta, spoon sweets, jams and honey. At the Arkadiani Farm in Psari (Tel. (+30) 27910.271.61), you can see firsthand how local products are made, and stock up on honey, jams, sweets and handmade pasta.

A Tip 

While Dimitsana, Stemnitsa and Elliniko are the most well-known villages around the Lousios River, it’s worth exploring the lesser-known ones, too, like Zygovisti, with its charming square, historic Zatouna (once the place of exile for Mikis Theodorakis), and Valtesiniko, surrounded by a sea of fir trees.