General information
The Lechova Hiking Trail overlaps with the Karamanos trail (Komoot route) all the way until the main asphalt road. From there, the two foot trails go together for another 100 meters, through the forest, then the walking path divides into two: the one to the left will take you to the Karamanos cave and the one to the right will lead you to the Lechova Monastery.
After they separate, the Lechova trail continues quite abruptly for about 80 meters, then it flattens out and remains so until the end. After 5 more minutes of walking through the forest trail, you will exit onto the main country lane that has two bifurcations. To continue your hiking, you will choose the field road to the left and stay on it until you reach the imposing stone gate of the Lechova monastery. There is also the possibility to make a small detour of approximately 1 km that leads to a small church with a fantastic view over tha valley. This will add around 15 minutes to your hike.
- Distance: 10 km
- Duration: 150 minutes.
- Difficulty: medium
- Hiking gear: walking boots, water bottle, a hatt, trekking poles (if you need extra support)
- Attractions: Karamanos Cave, Lechova Monastery, AMphitheatre
History
The Lechova monastery dates back to the 11th century and, since then, operates as an Ortodox nunnery. The church was restored in the 1980’s with funding from 100 A.D. The monastery is open to visitors every day from sunrise to sunset. During Sundays and other Christian holidays, people from nearby villages and other regions come to celebrate the mass together, after which they enjoy a small feast in the dinning hall of the establishment.
The main church was built in the 14th century beside a smaller and older one, dating back to the 11th century, which is now integrated in the main church, to its right side. The chapel was built over the foundation of an ancient Greek Asklepios sanatorium and has the shape of a byzantine cross-in-square church with an octagonal cupola. The mosaic on the floor contains small colorful pieces of marble, combined to form exquisite geometrical decorations. As you enter, a mosaic of very fine tesserae depicts a bird with a long neck and long, slim legs, that used to live in the region but is now extinct.
The monastery hosts a copy of the “Our Lady of Lechova” icon, which dates back to the 17th century. The original painting was moved from the monastery, as it has been previously stolen, in the 1980’s, and cut into 4 pieces for facilitating its illegal transportation abroad. With the help of Interpol, the artpiece was returned back to Greece in order to be restored and curated.
Natural landscape
This footpath starts near the Amphiteater of Kryoneri and goes through a forested area, as well as a region with vineyards and apple orchards. An unusual fact for this region is that the vineyards grow alongside a pine tree forest. Normally, there is a difference of at least 200 meters altitude between the natural habitat of the two types of vegetation.
From the Lechova Monastery’s courtyard you can enjoy a mesmerizing view over the Corinthian Gulf with its two small Alkionides islands.