Route 11 Kleitoria – Agios Vlassios – Planitero – Kastria – Lake Caverns – Ano/Kato Loussoi – the Ski Resort – Kalavryta

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This route is ideal for detours for a number of reasons. Start at the main square of Kleitoria, where you see signs to Athens, Kalamata, Sparti and Tripoli. You take the road to Kalavryta...

At 1k, you see a fork: the road to the right goes to Tourlada and Agios Nikolaos. At 1.3km you enter the village of Agios Vlassios which is also called Vrostaina or Glastra. Stop at the 4th km and look left and upwards to see the cross and the top part of the chapel of Mother Mary and the Wolf. To get to the chapel, you have to walk on a narrow country road for about half an hour. Tradition has it that a wolverine was feeding a lost child and saved his life. To your right there is a sign to Planitero, Elatofito and Planitero-trout fishery. The straight road takes you to the Lake Cavern. 

Make a right detour to the trout fishery. At 2.6 km you head for the fishery and at 3.4km you enter Planitero. Many interesting hiking trails begin from the open area you will find there: on the right, trails to Elatofito, Mazi and Dourdouvana, on the left you can take trail E4 to Loussoi and Kalavrita.

Planitero is at an altitude of 700 metres and, through the thick vegetation, you will be able to discern the village of Arbounas in the distance and the bridge of Abibagas. Be careful of the rocks on the road due to the landslides and make sure you taste the delicious local trout in every possible dish. The road to the right goes to Arbouna and the one to the left to Elatofito. Back on the road to Kleitoria and on your way to the Lake Cavern. If you get thirsty, quench your thirst at the spring you will find at the 5.7th km. The road is good but you must be a little careful at wintertime, as it can get icy. At 6.6km you are in village Kastria. At 8.5km you see a fork. The road to the right goes to the Temple of the Ascension. At 8.6km, the Lake Cavern awaits for its visitors. 

At 10.3 km you exit the Municipality of Lefkasio and enter the Municipality of Kalavrita. At 13km there is a sign for a detour to the Temple of Artemis and Ancient Loussoi. Turn left; it is worth it. After 4.1km you see the country road that takes you to the Temple of Artemis and Ancient Loussoi. Drive there in your car and see the foundations of residences belonging to the Hellenistic and Roman time. 

To your left, at 5.1km, you see Ancient Loussoi on the hill of Prophet Helias. The archaeological site in Loussoi will definitely draw your attention. Go back to the 13th km on the road Kleitoria – Loussoi 100 metres later to your right, there are two springs. This is the end of Kato Loussoi and the beginning of Ano Loussoi, a village that is well-known for its traditional products. At 14.5km you reach Ano Loussoi. The top of the mountain that you see is called Velia and it’s the place where hang gliders set off for their journey in the skies.
At 15km to your left is the church of Agia Paraskevi. 

At 17.3km, you can turn right to the Ski Resort and left to Kalavryta. The road to Kalavryta is surrounded by coniferous trees. The bend at 20.5km reveals a chapel behind the trees of a hill. At 22km to the right, you may take the country road to beautiful Castle of Oria. Turn right and drive to the Castle but be very careful with the road. On your way up, you get a panoramic view of Kalavryta. Back on the winding road to Kalavryta to get to the Place of Sacrifice at the 24.2nd km (left). At 25km you are in the main square of Kalavryta.