Mani Peninsula Trail Running Adventure - Peleponnese, Greece
Info: New bookings for this event closed on Thursday 6th April 2023 at 20:00.
Hotel (B&B) Self-Catering Payment Terms - 50% deposit; 25% by 31st January and Final Balance by 17th March. |
Our latest Adventure to the Mani... The ultimate trail running destination under the sun.
The Mani Peninsula is the undiscovered mountainous ‘middle finger’ of the Peleponnese, in Southern Greece.
The Taygetus Mountains run down the spine of the Mani and rise to a height of 2407 metres to form a spectacular panoramic backdrop to our adventures here. The highest peak – ‘Profitis Ilias’ is often snow-capped in Spring and late Summer and is visible from all directions and from our base on the coast.
Deep river gorges cascade precipitously down from the high peaks and form the natural access routes into the hills. The myriad of mule tracks and goat trails reach tentatively upward through the olive groves from Kardamyli, a small town at the foot of the mountains on the crystalline shores of the Ionian Sea.
Kardamyli has been chosen as the base for our Mani Adventures. It is part of the Messinian Mani, the northern section of the peninsula, less than an hour’s drive from Kalamata, our destination airport. It is a small, friendly, relaxed and typically Greek town with an ambience of tranquillity, balanced perfectly between the mountains, gorges, olive groves and blue waters of the Ionian.
It is an idyllic place to run, hike, mountain bike and generally hang-out and chill-out for a while.
What you Receive:-
- Transfers to our accommodation in Kardamyli and return to Kalamata Airport.
- 7 nights at the Hotel Vardia, Kardamyli, including Breakfast each morning, or 7 nights accommodation at one of our selected Self-catering apartments.
- One-day cycle hire with guided route.
- 5 days of guided running/hiking led by experienced OuterEdge guides.
- OuterEdge technical t-shirt.
- Opportunity for kayak hire/tour at an additional cost (please ask for more details).
We fly from Gatwick to Kalamata using Easyjet. The flight takes 3 hours 45 minutes. These are to be arranged separately by the entrant.
Shuttle transfers to and from our base in Kardamyli (transfer time approximately 1 hour) are included.
ACCOMMODATION
As we approach the town, from high above to the North, we see the terracotta red rooves in a sea of grey-green olive trees to one side and the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea to the other. With the gorges running down viscerally to the shore, it’s a dramatic first impression.
We have procured a delightful hotel for your stay, just above Kardamyli town with incredible views over the olive groves and rooftops and facing westward for magnificent sunsets over the Messinian Gulf.
Breakfast is included in the OuterEdge Adventure package when staying at our hotel.
The town is easily accessible within a 5-10 minute walk to the centre and for sea swimming.
A self-catering option was introduced last year for those who wish to have more independence. The apartments are situated close to the town or beach. Location will depend on the number of bookings we receive.
ITINERARY
Day 1
The first day is travelling to our base in Kardamyli.
Arrival at Kalamata airport at 11.15am.
Shuttle transfer to Kardamyli hotel.
Arrival in Kardamyli at approximately 12.40pm.
The first day starts with an early flight from Gatwick, followed by airport transfer to the hotel, and meeting your guides Mark, OuterEdge Race Director and hand-picked OE Crew. You will then be given the opportunity to explore the town, swim, and generally chill out before the running begins next day, but you can also take advantage of a short introductory run in the early evening if you so wish.
Day 2 - A guided run/hike up through the olive groves and old villages along the edge of the Vyros Gorge. Duration is likely to be 3-4 hours with a brief stop for coffee or coke at a restaurant up high on the edge of the gorge.
Day 3 - We take on another route up into the hills and gorges above Kardamyli, this time going higher into the Vyros Gorge, with two brief taverna stops along the way. A run and hike of between 4 and 5 hours with incredible views afforded for the duration of the run.
Day 4 - Free day to relax, swim or Kayak (tours and kayak hire available on request and bookable here).
Day 5 - 'The Long Day'
Day 5 is our longest day out on the trails. It will extend to between 4.5 and 5.5 hours, It will include some sharp, technical climbs, and steep descents, but also a meander back down through olive groves towards the sea. Incredible views to the mountains and out across the Ionian will be afforded at most times for the duration of the run.
Day 6 - Cycling day. South along the coast to Trachila. Approximately 24 miles of gently undulating cycle tracks and quite roads.
Day 7 - Final day of guided running, a leisurely run and hike into the hills, followed by drinks at one of the little village tavernas before we make our way back down to the coast.
Day 8 - Shuttle bus pick-up from our hotel at 9.30am for transfer to Kalamata Airport, in good time for the Midday flight.
Arrival back at Gatwick at 1.45 pm local time.
Please email Mark at outeredgedirect@gmail.com should you have any questions.
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View the Event Cancellation / Refund Policy.
This event offers the option to purchase XCover, so that participants may be able to get a refund if they are unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
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