Areopolis – Pirgos Dirou

Route: Areopolis – Omales – Pirgos Dirou caves – Areopolis

Timing: approx. 3.5 hours (if you go to the caves)

Difficulty:  4/ (if you go to the caves)

Description: This walk has been included as it offers the chance not just to wander through historic Areopolis but also to visit the Mani’s number 1 tourist attraction- the caves at Pirgos Dirou. It is basically downhill to the caves and then uphill back to Areopolis. A lot is on road but the kalderimi heading back up is a bit overgrown in places, so long trousers are recommended to avoid legs being scratched. The beach at Pirgos Dirou is pebbly and never gets that busy. There are no bars or tavernas here.

1. Refer to the map of Areopolis for the start of the walk at the main square.

The concrete road will take you down to the hamlet of Omales

2. Ignore the left fork.

3. Open/close the gate!
4. Ignore the track heading down to the sea and keep straight. Orange, arrow-shaped way marks indicate the path down to the main road. Turn right here to get to the caves (or left to continue the walk).
5. At the far end of the beach, follow the dirt road round to a small, stone building and pick up a narrow path that has occasional way marks and cairns to guide you to the caves. The ticket office is marked on the map. Retrace your steps back to the main road and follow the dirt road heading away from the sea.
6. At the walkers’ sign, turn off the road and pick up a kalderimi that drops down to a stone bridge. The path here soon gets a little overgrown in places. As you ascend, the path becomes a dirt road. At the crossroads, turn right up the concrete road, past the cement works.
7. Turn left.
8. Turn left and then immediately right to then eventually emerge back in the main square.