It was very quiet and peaceful compared to some of the other monasteries and we could spend as much time as we needed exploring every corner. Its wonderfully peaceful up there, with a view over the rocks and the far-stretching landscape. We started from the old town of Kalabaka as the day before and followed the same trail for about half a kilometer until reaching a crossroads. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. In the map, there seemed to be a path descending from between the two monasteries straight down to Kalabaka. In the Winter you should also avoid areas that are very wet and slippery. The trail starts with a walking path of boulders and remains clearly visible and well-marked throughout the hike. What to See and Do Meteora: Ascending to Greece's Spiritual Heights Beyond the Monasteries: More Meteora experiences What and Where to Eat and Stay Honest Vlach Cuisine: Dining around Meteora, Greece Bars & Bites Around Kalambaka Near Meteora Majestic Meteora: An Overview of Premier Local Accommodations Useful Information How incredible that we live in a time when we can visit something so monumental without spending weeks getting here. Continue reading to learn more about this great way to explore Meteora. The road snakes past Rousanou and on for a while before you come to a fork. Adventure weekend in Pelion: Hiking, Via Ferrata, Canyoning, 3 of the best beaches near Athens (by public transport), 10 of the best hikes near Athens (by public transport), Mount Taygetos Hike: Manganiari Spring, Taygetos Refuge, Profitis Ilias Peak (2.407 meters), 3 of the best hikes around Kaisariani Monastery (Mount Hymettus). After a convenient pick-up (with our VIP minibus) from your hotel in Kalabaka or Kastraki the hike starts from the foothills of Meteora. the Holy Monastery of Varlaam as seen from the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron More than any other place in Greece, Meteora is where nature and spirituality converge most spectacularly. This is not an unusual occurrence in the mountainous regions of Northern Greece especially outside of the summer season. We, however, started the walk at about 11 pm during a heatwave, so by the time we reached the beginning of the actual hike, we were already feeling it. You then walk back on the same trail. Copyright © 2023 Discover Greece | Created by the Greek Tourism Sector. We'll have a car. The train is not only more comfortable than the bus, but it is also a much prettier ride, too. Experience nature at its best and enjoy great views other visitors will never get to see! I studied some ancient mythology in uni, and I love learning about other places and cultures. But if you do have more time to experience Meteora, I recommend you do it on foot. Spring (March-May) is especially beautiful, with nature in full bloom and the hiking paths quieter than the peak summer months. The largest and oldest monastery complex in the area, its founding in the 14th century by Saint Athanasios was the beginning of organised monasticism here in Meteora! Check out the KTEL Trikalon for a detailed timetable including the bus lines from Thessaloniki and other large Greek cities, too. Required fields are marked *. For detailed technical information on the climbing fields of Meteora, check out the climbing guide Sport Climbing Guide/Meteora and Theopetra by local climber Vangelis Batsiou and Greece Sport Climbing/The Best of by Aris Theodoropoulos (www.mountainproject.com). Established in the 14th century, this monastery has a lower elevation than the others, so its the most accessible. By bus (from Makedonia Station): Regular daily service, 2hrs25min. Best Tour Company for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Best Mountain Ascents in Argentina: Book with Mountaineering Patagonia, The Ultimate Guide to Hiking Around the Meteora Monasteries, What its Like Hiking to the Summit of Mount Toubkal in Winter, W Trek in Torres del Paine: The Adventure of a Lifetime, Huayna Potosi Climb: Freds Journey Up a 6,088 Meter Mountain. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. That does not cost you money, but provides us with an extra income. Part of the history of Meteora are the hermitages in the rocks. At one point, the views of the Meteora valley open up once more giving the chance to see the stunning scenery from jet another angle! There are several well executed tours to Meteora from a full monastry tour to to a Meteora sunset tour. Next, its recommended to start early. The ticket costs 20 euros each way and is usually cheaper when booked online. Organized tours: When it comes to organized tours the choices are endless. Time: 40. 5hrs15mins. The hiking trails to the monasteries are steep and can (at times) be slippery especially if it has rained recently. Turning left before the towns central church, we followed a (comparatively) wide road that soon became a rocky path. Constructed in 1488 by a monk named Dometios, a church was thus erected to pay tribute to the Holy Trinity a core Christian doctrine. But we marched on, enjoying our surroundings so much that the pinkening of my skin (Glenns skin is too darn Mediterranean to ever be under much threat) and our small twinges of sunstroke fear really didnt matter much. Or you can hire care. Paved roads for cars and hiking paths are easily recognizable by the different sizes and colours on our map. Experience the beauty and majesty of Meteora in a whole new way with our Meteora Hiking Tour! The three hikes I've listed will take you to most of the Meteora Monasteries. Most follow a gentle incline (rising 200-500m) and the scenery is so spectacular that youll have no trouble completing walks of around 8km. The three hiking trail sections that continue north of Pyrgos Hill give you the opportunity to continue your hiking adventure on Route 5 towards other monasteries of Meteora. This is a view of Varlaam taken from Route C we left the cameras behind on this our Route B hike. If you're near a lake or stream, you can attempt to lay the hiker down in the water, taking care to keep their airway clear. After climbing down from Agio Pnevma we didnt want to return to Kalabaka the same way and instead continued to the main valley of Meteora. The meeting point is usually the camping area Vrahos in Kastraki, which is loved by climbers and rappellers alike, so a short hike before the rappelling is necessary. Each staircase is its own challenge and heading up slowly is always advisable. If you have enough time, we recommend that you plan at least one night in Meteora. Meteora Meteora Meteora What Makes Each Meteora Monastery a Unique Hiking Spot Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron The largest and oldest monastery is called the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron. The trail leads around a huge rock formation and ends in a valley between the rocks. 1. When we passed under the Rousanou rock we found a basket and pulley leading up to the convent, where supplies get regularly pulled up! The path starts from the top of the car park at the Megalo Meteoro and climbs across the hill above the monastery. The TERRAIN hiking map accurately captures all the well-trodden paths in the Meteora area, but youll need a good pedometer app on your phone to calculate distances, as well as a compass and a good sense of direction to avoid getting lost. If youd like us to research and write about a particular place, get in touch! Theres no need for technical hiking equipment when walking the hiking paths of Meteora. So, rather than taking the right, we took the left. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. It has few taverns and mini market, too, and is far more pretty hiding right under the rock towers. And at no point does it stop feeling worth it, because even while youre wheezing, the view all around you is spectacular. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. And the rewards are massive: panoramic views of the surrounding cliffs and Kalabaka below! Its hidden on the top of one of the most prominent rocksjust outside of the Kastraki village and except for the small chapel, one of the oldest of the Meteora complex, it offers breathtaking views from the top. 1. If you are after something a little livelier, but with a charming riverside feel and residents who get about on bicycles, then head to Trikala, the nearest city. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Then head to the picturesque Kastraki just 2 kilometers away from Kalambaka. Marking: Characterization: Easy. In Trikala, youll need to change the bus to continue to Kalambaka (another 45 minutes). When you arrive, the views overlooking Kalabaka and the valley take your breath away! Were from South Africa, and have a keen interest in history, mythology and culture. Kalambaka-Agiou Stefanou Monastery (Total distance: 4 km. One of the best travel tips for Meteora is to hike if you can, as this allows you to see not only the monasteries, but also the landscape in its entirety. Your email address will not be published. Best things to do in Guatemala City: explore the best zonas, #1 The Ypapanti hike, visiting the hidden monastery, #2 From Kalabaka to the Trinity Monastery, Parys Mountain in Wales Visiting Meteora from Athens was a really incredible experience, and one I cannot recommend more! Carbon Canyon Regional Park. Local folktales and legends around the world, Mongolian mythology | Gods & legends of the nomadic tribes, Greek desserts | 8 Incredible pastries to try in Athens. This morning tour takes you on a journey through the stunning 'rock forest' of Meteora, where you'll see the best monasteries and experience captivating views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moreover, some parts of the trails are in poor condition or covered by thick bushes. Hiking time: 35 minutes). This section of the hiking trail, leading to Agiou Stefanou Monastery, is incredibly beautiful, especially in autumn, as it passes through a dense oak forest. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Dont be fooled by the dramatic scenery. So, those are our experiences hiking Meteora! Always check the weather and dont attempt anything that is beyond your abilities or physical condition. Distance: 1100 m. Altitude difference: 200 m. If youve hiked to the Meteora monasteries before and have a path you loved, let me know! In reality, it is a steep but easy hike and well worth the effort. How to get to Meteora? All Rights Reserved. (AP: Richard Shotwell/Invision, file) The two co-starred in the little-seen 1987 indie . We were staying in Kastraki, so we had to reach Kalambaka first. It's impossible not to be amazed by the giant rocks of Meteora and the centuries-old monasteries at their peaks, hundreds of metres in the air. Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. What we did get to see was one monk throwing water over the side of the Monastery complex walls from a bright red bucket, and another sweeping. Thats where the iconic, free-standing Adrachti Rock is located. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. You definitely wont want to go that way, and its very much closed off! Before You Hit The Trail - Grab Your Hiking Essentials . The best season for walking at the Holy Meteora is Spring and Autumn. Today, six remain: Great Meteoron, Varlaam, St. Stephen, Holy Trinity, Roussanou and St. Nicholas. Time: 1 hour). We havent met anyone else for the rest of the day except for some pretty acrobatic goats munching on the moss on the edges of the cliffs. From there, a beautiful circular trail through the dense oak forest will lead you to the stone chapel of Panagia Kanaliotissa. I'm Glenn. Please keep to designated paths for your own safety and to avoid disrupting the wildlife. In our opinion, this is the least interesting of the Meteora Monasteries, but a ticket only costs 3 per person and it is a very nice reward after the hike. Once you cross the main asphalt road, youll enter the most beautiful part of the trail, a stone path between the rocks of Meteora, surrounded by dense vegetation. The beautiful location in the middle of the stunning landscape makes this monastery particularly picturesque. Great Meteoron Small Circular Hike (Total distance: 1 km. WILLIAM MACKESY'S ACCOUNTof this walk. Make sure you have water with you, and some nourishing power snacks. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Within this area, rich with varied flora, live a broad array of protected species. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. It will take you a fair while walking along the twisting road to reach it though. First and foremost, wear comfortable shoes. Today, six remain: Great Meteoron, Varlaam, St. Stephen, Holy Trinity, Roussanou and St. Nicholas. By bus (from Tris Gefires Bus Station): Regular daily service. A hiking day backpack; Comfy pair of men's boots, or woman's hiking boots; Hiking water bottle for hydration; A cozy men's and woman's windbreaker for those gusty summits; A set of hiking poles; What To Wear Hiking In Summer - 12 Must-Have's You can get there with a good 44, but the best way to reach it is by hiking. The devout have been coming here for many years to pay their respects and see the incredible engineering feat that is the holy monastery complex. Youll be shown around at least one monastery and learn what makes this a UNESCO World Heritage Site (if your eyes havent told you already). Holy Trinity is the most photographed monument in all of Meteora due to the 300-meter narrow rock that it sits upon precariously. In Kastraki turn right and walk up towards the rock towers until finding a paved path. The right branch climbs to the monastery of Agia Triada and Agios Stefanos and the left one straight up to the main road. Despite the heat, we could see snow on the mountains. Everyone can enjoy a genuine Meteora experience here, even those with mobility issues. Kastraki: Looking for something a bit more romantic? Hiking to the Meteora monasteries from Kalambaka is easy, the distances are not very long and even though the terrain is hilly there are no particularly tiring ascents. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. It takes approximately the same time to reach Kalabaka about 5 hours. I spent around 10-15 minutes on every monstary/big . It starts from the eastern edge of the village, at the end of the cobbled road behind the Geological Formations Museum. Despite the bad weather, we decided to embark on at least a short hike before catching the afternoon train back to Athens. From a distance, it seems like a steep climb, but is easy enough and pleasant up close ascending gradually through the forested slopes. About 400 meters after the road, youll see the intersection of the path that climbs to the right (east) and after 300 metres leads to Varlaam Monastery. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. The largest and oldest monastery is called the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron. Not much further you can also visit Saint Stefanos, a monastery with a beautifully painted chapel. Respect any cultural sites or monuments you encounter on the way. It is a busy, touristy place especially around the main monasteries and viewing decks. The lonely monk guarding the entrance was much friendlier, too, seeing every visitor as an opportunity for sharing stories from his monastic life and travels around Europe. This cookie is installed by Google Universal Analytics to restrain request rate and thus limit the collection of data on high traffic sites. From the distance, it seems almost impossible to get up to the church without any climbing equipment or skills. For us, this was right at golden hour, and we got to move between trees filtering through gold light, and a far-stretching view of distant monasteries, rocks and caves. 2. They are a pretty sight anyway, glued to the rock face in a quiet, lush valley. The Greek capital Athens is just over four hours of driving. Just for one summer Copyright 2020 | Privacy Policy |Disclaimer. One of the best things to do in Meteora is the hike to the hidden monastery of Meteora. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); 2023 magnificentworld.com. Its believed that hermit monks came to Meteora as far back as the 9th century to settle on the rocks. Hiking in Meteora is an all-year-round experience, with each season offering its own palette of colours and charm. To help you make the most of your visit, we take a look at all six of the monasteries and outline the best hikes in the area from Great Meteoron to Holy Trinity! In the Meteora region, otters (Lutra lutra), wolves, bats (myotis and rhinolophus), turtles, dormice, tree frogs, pipistrelles, alpine newts, snakes, and lizards, among others, can also be found. From here, you can see most of the monasteries sitting atop their rocky perches. Dont forget to keep any rubbish with you until you reach a bin. By train (from Larissis Station): 3hrs55mins. In the eleventh century, monks who had been expelled from other regions, found their new homes in this rocky area. A narrower, steeper path than route A, this one is even more incredible. For something a bit quieter, the village of. I cover the travel and myth/legend posts. Firstly, let us begin by talking about the monasteries themselves. Hiking Meteora's Hermit Caves Departure: from Kalampaka or Kastraki FROM 35EUR DATES & PRICES Tour Highlights See the prison where the monks were expelled Unique views from the top of the Holy Spirit cliff Visit the cave chapel dedicated to the Holy Spirit Find the hermitage of St. George of "Mandilaras" A while after the sun had dipped past a monolith, we slowly peeled ourselves off the rock, scrambled down again, and ambled pleasantly down the trail again, admiring anew the bird calls and the hum of insects, and the relentless greenness of that beautiful wooded path. Make sure you wear decent walking shoes or hiking boots with adequate grip. It can be seen from almost anywhere in Kalambaka! They offer a number of unforgettable experiences in and around the monasteries from sunset gazing on the rocks to hiking hidden gems to climbing, and more! As one of the most beautiful destinations in Greece, Meteora is definitely worth a visit. During this guided tour you will have the . It is worth taking a small detour to visit the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Kofinas, a large cave that has been transformed into a six-story hermitage. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. So we scrambled onto the nearest giant rock and lay stretched out on it for a while like sun-bathing lizards. Its fantastically beautiful. Meteora is a unique place that should be on every travelers bucket list.