The Peloponnese Peninsula has been inhabited for millennia and is the source of many of Greece’s most beloved mythological figures and real life heroes, from Jason and his Argonauts to King Leonidis of Sparta. You will visit the region’s most legendary sites as you ascend mountain roads, hug gorges, follow winding seacoast roads and overnight in memorable accommodations where the hosts make you feel proud to have arrived by bike.
Day 1: Poros
Arriving into Poros harbor, your first glimpse of Poros brings to mind a fairy tale island -- pastel, neo-Classical buildings bunched in a triangular shape with the town’s clocktower akin to a candle atop a sugary cake. Take a warm-up spin around the island, climbing up to the Temple of Poseidon and then over to Neorio Beach for water sports.
Day 2: Nafplio
The best leg is climbing a cliff on a road devoid of villages or cars that overlooks the dazzling blue sea. The highlight of the day is a stopat Ancient Epidavros, the 3rd century BC outdoor theatre seating 12,000 spectators with impeccable acoustics. Heading towards Nafplion, just off the side of the road, don’t miss the ancient Mycenae bridge.
Day 3: Nafplio
Elegant Nafplio has superb food and local wine, arts and custom-made jewelry and wondrous antiquities. Ancient Mycenae, only an hour’s ride away, holds the tomb of King Agamemnon who launched the Trojan War. In Nafplio be sure to visit Bourtzi island for a picturesque view of Nafplio.
Day 4: Stemnitsa
Today is all about climbing. The first mountain is "bald," no trees, which permits a panoramic view of a series of distant mountains reminiscent of sea waves (2297 ft). After lunch in Tripoli, you climb into the heart of Arcadia where the landscape is more verdant, especially in cute little Stemnitsa overlooking the Lousios Gorge.
Day 5: Olympia
Most of today's route is downhill which makes you think it will be a short ride. But there is a detour in Dimitsana to visit the truly fascinating live-action water power museum which brings alive what pre-industrial life was like in in Arcadia. The ride ends cycling past the Olympia stadium, the ruins lying within a discus throw of your bike route.
Day 6: Lampei
Spend the morning touring Ancient Olympia, home of the original Olympics. Its Temple of Zeus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The modern Olympics, resurrected in 1896, are given prominence in a museum exhibiting quirky memorabilia from past games. After lunch, a 3 hour ride brings you to sleepy Lampei.
Day 7: Vytina
Today you reverse course and head east, cycling on a mountain ride that is basically flat. There is a slight detour to see a most unusual tree recorded by the Greek traveler Pausanias in the 2nd century AD. The route takes you to Vytina, a most charming little mountain town with a cornucopia of delicious homemade products.
Day 8: Nemea
Alot of mileage today but the end result is worth it because your overnight accommodations are in a winery. Peloponnese viticulture dates back to Homer who called the region Ampeloessa, meaning "full of vines." Nemea is the most important town in southern Greece for red wine production.
Day 9: Nemea
You have two choices today. Either ride around the Nemea region hopping from one winery to the next. There are many domains in this region for wine tasting. Or you can cycle to Ancient Corinth where St. Paul once lived and the formidable Akrokorinthos Fortress with 360 degree panoramic views.
Day 10: Departure
Mileage
Total Mileage 369 miles, 594 km Average Daily 41 miles, 66 km
Day 1 12 miles 20 km loop around the island with slight climb, flat along coast
Day 2 48 miles, 78 km starts flat but has 2 big climbs, 738 ft, 1150 ft, then 20 miles down to sea
Day 3 25 miles, 40 km flat with one steep 3 km ascent
Day 4 60 miles, 99 km mountain climbing, highest ascent almost 4000 ft
Day 5 54 miles, 87 km mostly downhill
Day 6 26 miles, 42 km climbing up to 2600 ft
Day 7 34 miles, 55 km, mostly flat along a ridge, but climbing in the end
Day 8 51 miles, 88 km, ups and downs
Day 9 59 miles, 96 km downhill near sealevel, then climb back up
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price per person in euros
1 rider - 2800
2 riders - 2040
3 riders - 1870 + SS
4 riders - 1785 Single Supp - 490€
Price includes accommodations with breakfast, bicycle, luggage transfers, maps and cue sheets, CycleGreece bike jersey and more.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Greece
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Bicycle Touring
Archeology/History
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