Hiking around Kardamyli (Mani)

Trail near Kardamyli to the Viros Gorge
A nice trail starting in Kardamyli, going past Hagia Sophia to the Viros Gorge coming from the Taygetos mountains.

If you want to hike in the Mani (South Peloponnese, Greece), there are plenty of options. This picture was taken near Kardamyli (the starting point). From there we went up to Hagia Sophia (a nice little church) and then walked alongside the Viros Gorge to the monastery Moni Sotiros. From there on we hiked through the Viros Gorge (a dry river bed, at least in the dry summer months) back to Kardamyli.

The Viros Gorge starts at the foot of Profitis Ilias, the highest peak (2404m or 2407m) of the Taygetos Mountains.

Full Moon over Methana

From Palea Epidauros (here seen from Hotel Yialasi, Panagia), there is a great view to Methana, a volcanic peninsula connected to the Peloponnese. If it is full moon and the moon rises during twilight, it gives a very moody view.

More pictures from Methana

More pictures from Palea Epidauros

More pictures taken around Hotel Yialasi

Train Station in Kalamata

The former train station building of Kalamata is being used as a café. The former station compound has been remodeled into a nice city park where the old trains and engines are standing around as decoration.

More pictures taken at Kalamata train station

Stoupa Beach at Night

At this beautiful sandy beach of Stoupa in the Mani, some cliffs and fishing boats can be found, nicely arranged. In the evening, after darkness has fallen, this arrangement combined with the illuminations gives a nice long exposure with a great mood.

More pictures taken in Stoupa

More pictures taken at the Peloponnese

Arriving at the Mani

When driving from Kalamata to the Mani, once you’ve passed the highest point you arrive at this point with a terrific view over the Outer Mani. The Mani starts here with Kardamyli and reaches all the way down to the most southern point of this peninsula on the Peloponnese. On this picture you can also see Stoupa in the background.

More pictures taken in Kardamili

More pictures taken at the Peloponnese

Nafplio and Palamidi Castle

This picture shows Nafplio (a city on the Peloponnese, Greece), its fishing harbour with some fishing boats and the Palamidi Castle. Behind the waterfrond the old city of Nafplio (often: Nauplia or Navplion) is situated. Nafplio was the first capital of modern Greece after the Greek Revolution.

More pictures taken in Nafplio

More about the Peloponnese

Waterfall at Polilimnio

This beautiful waterfall is situated in the nature reserve of Polilimnio. Translated ‘Polilimnio’ means ‘many lakes’. The creek overcomes a considerable altitude difference. The lakes of Polilimnio have water of good quality, so it is nice (but cold) to swim here. Very beautiful is the emerald green colour of the water. You should watch out for the snakes however, because there are some venomous snakes too at Polilimnio. But as they are very shy, you should not worry too much and enjoy the swim. The shortest hike might take up to one hour (without breaks for taking pictures), but use good shoes as there are two substantial ascents. If you want to hike the whole distance, it will take about two hours and if you’re planning to swim or have a picnic you should calculate about three to four hours.

In the village Charavgi near Polilimnio there are some taverns with a great view over the valley and its nature.

More pictures taken at Polilimnio

More pictures taken at

Sunset @Kardamyli

This photograph shows the coast at Kardamili (Kardamyli) shortly after sunset. The clouds are still being illuminated by sunlight while the flowers are being illuminates softly by the flashlight of my camera.

More pictures taken in Kardamili

More pictures taken at the Peloponnese

A Thundercloud over Methoni Kastro

Over the Castle of Methoni hangs a dark and ominous thundercloud. Methoni Castle (Methoni Kastro) was built in the 15. century and is of Venetian military architecture. This picture was taken from the octogonal fortress oposing this great Kastro. The medieval port was the longes held possession of the Venetians at the Peloponnese

More pictures taken at the Peloponnese