Route: Mianes – Cape Tainaron – Kokinogia – Paliros

Timing: approx. 3 hours (plus 45 minutes for the Paliros addition)

Difficulty:  3/5 (4/5 for Paliros addition)                   

Description: The coastal path out to the lighthouse at Cape Tainaron is a popular short walk (around 45 minutes). This route makes it slightly more interesting as it is a circular route, heading first to the hamlet of Mianes. Up on the ridge, the views are wonderful, with the Aegean on one side and the Ionian Sea on the other. It can get quite windy up there. If you don’t want to take the main road back to the car, there is an alternative taking you down to a small beach and up to the village of Paliros. However, the path is very unclear and is a bit of a scramble- only advisable for those with good boots, a walking stick and a disposition for going off-piste.

1. A hired car is needed to get to the starting point, which is a further 15 minute drive south of Vathia. There is space to park up to the left of the main road, just after the turning up to Mianes. The road up to this tiny hamlet is now concrete.
2. As you pass a cow-shed on your left, the concrete road bends right up to the only occupied houses- keep straight on the dirt road.
3. As you near the derelict houses, continue on the dirt path, that crosses two dry-stone walls. As the path curves southwards, the lighthouse suddenly comes into view in the distance at the end of the peninsula. There is no defined path to follow but it is easiest to keep slightly to the right of the top of the ridge.
4. As you approach a rocky outcrop in front of you, drop to your left on to the path that is the conventional route out to the lighthouse and will be your return back to the car. The lighthouse is a perfectly tranquil spot and is worth sitting for a while, watching the ships pass by.

5. Return on the lower path all the way to ancient Tainaron. Follow the road through Kokinogia all the way back to the car.
6. If you want a challenge, the way down to the little beach beneath Paliros begins after you have passed the last house on your right and then passed 2 walled-in, small plots- the first has olive trees, the latter , nothing. Head down here, keeping to the right of the gully heading down to the beach. There is no discernible path. Cross the beach and pick up the much-improved path up to Paliros.
7. Zigzag your way through the houses and return to your starting point.