SPARTA, October 2026 — A road trip on eastern Taygetos brings waterfalls, dense forest, mountain villages, chapels and history at every turn.
Mountain trails wind through rich nature, and some end at the famous summit of Profitis Ilias, where the view is breathtaking.
Mystras, the first stop on eastern Taygetos
The first stop on eastern Taygetos is, naturally, the archaeological site of Mystras, one of the most important in Greece. It sits on a natural fortress, a strategic hill once called Myzithras.
Its story begins in 1204, when the Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade first captured Constantinople. Later, the Frankish Villehardouin family took control of the Peloponnese and founded the Principality of Achaea.
In 1249, Prince William II of Villehardouin built the castle of Mystras. It became the core of a castle town that grew into one of the great cities of late Byzantium. However, Mystras lost its importance under Ottoman rule, and residents gradually abandoned it from the mid-19th century.
William’s castle still crowns the hill. Below it, the Upper Town, the Lower Town and Exo Chora spread across the slopes, with monasteries, churches, houses and palaces.
Late Byzantine churches dot the site, among them Agios Dimitrios, Agia Sofia, the Hodegetria and the Pantanassa Monastery. In addition, a museum at Mystras displays sculptures, manuscripts, jewellery and objects from daily life.
Springs, a waterfall and a chapel in a cave
Another favourite stop on eastern Taygetos is the springs and waterfall of the Knakion river. They lie just outside Sparta, above the small village of Trypi, about 2 kilometres away.
Leave the car in the clearing, then walk about 200 metres to the first pool. Further on stands the chapel of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, while the path behind it leads to the waterfall. Nature runs wild here, so the scenery feels like a fairy tale.
Beyond Mystras, eastern Taygetos holds other churches worth a visit. One is the cave church of Panagia Lagkadiotissa, above the village of Parori, inside an impressive gorge.
The tiny chapel dates from the 12th century. According to tradition, Constantine Palaiologos attended a liturgy there in 1449, before he set off for Constantinople. Reaching it takes a short hike. Even so, the tall rocks and lush gorge reward the effort.
Cave monasteries and forest trails
A longer route ranks among the most rewarding walks on eastern Taygetos. Passing the Lagkadiotissa, it climbs to the cave monastery of Panagia Zagouna and on to the Faneromeni Monastery, before it returns to Parori.
Built inside a cave in 1754, Zagouna offers panoramic views over the Eurotas valley. Allow about 50 minutes for the first 2 kilometres, due to the steep, cobbled climb. Faneromeni lies roughly another 2 kilometres on, while the descent to the village takes about two hours.
Visitors to eastern Taygetos can also see the stone Gola Monastery, near the medieval settlement of Koumousta, at about 1,000 metres. Inscriptions suggest it dates from 1632, although some accounts give 1608. Fir, chestnut and pine trees surround it, so the setting feels completely calm.
Nearby, at about 500 metres, stands the Zerbitsa Monastery. Dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin, it dates from 1639, and its frescoes followed about 30 years later.
Stone villages above the Eurotas valley
Among the villages of eastern Taygetos, Anavryti ranks as one of the most beautiful, perched at about 800 metres. Its stone houses keep traditional architecture alive, while the village, with clear views of the peaks, feels peaceful and remote.
In the early 20th century, Anavryti thrived on tanneries, weaving and candle-making. Although it began to empty after the Second World War, the European E4 path still crosses it.
Trypi, a smaller village, sits at 640 metres amid pine and cypress forest. Because of its springs and the nearby Knakion, it makes an ideal base for walks to the waterfall. Every year on 29 August, a festival takes place at the river springs.
Equally charming, Pikoulianika lies close to the archaeological site of Mystras. It takes its name from the Pikoulas family, who ruled the area from the 18th to the early 20th century. From 580 metres, the village looks over the Eurotas valley.
Xirokampi, at the foot of eastern Taygetos, has old stone neoclassical buildings and the air of another era. Its most picturesque spot is the old stone bridge west of the village. Dating from the Hellenistic period, it probably went up around 150 BC on the Royal Road between Sparta and Kardamyli.
A mountain refuge below Profitis Ilias
For a full mountain experience on eastern Taygetos, hikers can stay at the EOS Sparta refuge. It stands at Varvara, above the village of Toriza, at 1,550 metres.
Initially built of stone in 1940, it suffered destruction during the war. It rose again with materials from the original building and reopened in 1962. Up to 24 people can stay there.
The classic route starts at the Magkaniari spring, which has parking and plenty of water. From there, a well-marked path climbs through conifer forest to the refuge. Walkers can then continue to Profitis Ilias, where the view stretches across all of Laconia.
Climbers, in turn, can head to the Lagkada Climbing Park on the Sparta–Kalamata road. There, sheer rock faces and natural caves combine challenge with complete calm.
Source: travel.gr
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