Two friends, both from Kalavryta, in the northern Peloponnese, had noticed visitors to the town were limiting their experience to a specific routine of stopovers at local cafes and restaurants and visits to the ski resort. Knowing their homeland and surrounding regions well, both felt that a far broader range of choices, covering the entire year, not just skiing in winter, was being overlooked. They decided to do something about it and established 4seasonsoutdoor, offering various activities throughout the year.
Kostas Kakavas is a gymnast and ski instructor, while Nikos Prionas is involved in the area’s tourism sector and concurrently runs a sheep and goat farm.
We met the duo one morning in mid-November, ahead of the colder winter ahead, at a shop they co-run next to the local post office, at Kalavryta square, extensively stocked with mountain climbing gear, an activity we enjoyed on our visit with a hike up the mountain. The comfort of our Peugeot 3008 ensured that we arrived in Kalavryta, following the drive from Athens, feeling rested and ready to explore the area.
Trekking and choices
“Indeed, a large part of our work concerns the ski centre, but we have also placed emphasis on promoting other activities,” informed Kostas, while looking, at the shop, to find us the right gear for our activities. Meanwhile, Nikos Prionas, also a nature lover, informed us about the trekking paths and options. “Here, everybody can go trekking, regardless of experience or fitness levels. We can find the appropriate route for everybody,” he explained.
Orienteering
Prior to this trip, while conducting some research on Kalavryta, I noticed that 4seasonsoutdoor, the venture run by Kostas Kakavas and Nikos Prionas, included orienteering amongst its offerings. I admit I had no idea what orienteering was so I looked it up and discovered it is a popular recreational activity, especially in Europe’s north, requiring participants of all ages to find their bearings in nature using maps and compasses. Participants aim to reach specific points, determined by organisers, in specific order. “It’s a great way for us all to become acquainted with nature, to appreciate rivers, forests and birds,” Nikos Prionas explained, while his venture partner complemented: “It’s also very important to note that, for this recreational activity, participants may choose routes based on their ability. They also get to exercise and learn fascinating things about life in nature.”
I listened carefully to the orienteering details offered by the duo, even though, on this particular day, we had scheduled to go trekking along a trail through Kalavryta’s impressive forest. For this route, trekkers have the option of starting from Kalavrytra square or from a point at the outskirts of the settlement, just beyond the Kalavryta Massacre memorial, marking the Nazi German massacre at Kalavryta on December 13, 1943.
Chestnut trail
We headed up the winding road and parked at a plateau to the right, precisely 3.5 km past the memorial, or 850 metres following the Georgios V Chalet hotel, to reach the chestnut trail. A diagonal, downhill dirt road led us close to the trail. We headed in a direction featuring an old stone double tap at the beginning. The marked trail runs through a dense forest of fir trees and centuries-old chestnut trees. Their enormous trunks, in some cases, unusually shaped, drew our attention and we were instantly offered information. “This is a deciduous, centuries-old tree, with dense foliage, that can be up to 30 metres tall. It blossoms from May to July and usually grows at altitudes above 1,000 metres,” Nikos Prionas explained, while, at the same time, climbing up to a higher point to show us a rare mushroom species.
We continued along this lovely trail of medium-degree difficulty with mild uphill stretches and reached a beautiful chapel, Agios Ioannis, at the top of a small hill surrounded by fir trees. From this point, we had the choice of continuing along the trail, which leads to the massacre memorial, or returning back to the point where we had left the car.
We also enjoyed some archery, following careful instructions offered by Kostas Kakavas and Nikos Prionas of 4seasonsoutdoor, during a break from our trek’s schedule. Visit 4seasonsoutdoor.gr for full details on all the recreational activities offered in the area.
Instagram: 4seasonsoutdoor
