How difficult (steep/ rugged/ well-paved/ rocky/ treacherous/ strenuous/ or otherwise) is the walk up to the monasteries and between the monasteries at Meteora?
Do you have to walk all the way up from Kastraki or Kalampaka or is there another way up (all or some of the way)?
In case your answers inspire me to give it a go, I'd also like to know if there are places to buy water at the top? And are there any public toilets up there? (sometimes you need to know these basic things!)
I have searched for relevant threads on Thorntree, and searched the web but these important questions remain unanswered. Hope someone here can help!
cheers & thanks
anniebess
1
libervative
I've heard and read there are paths you can follow, paths that involve a little bit of hiking, but personally I have never taken them. What's for sure is that the road leading up is a perfectly paved snake like one, which actually is nice, because at some point you find yourself in the middle of the rock formations, seeing a high peak everywhere you turn your head to. A couple of the monasteries are lower than the main... bunch, which can serve as a "stopover" on your way up. The paved road connecting the "upper" monasteries is almost flat (Ok, kind of). Water? Sure thing. There are canteens selling anything. Toilets? Not sure... I'll let someone else answer this one...
Oh, yeah... There IS a bus going from kalabaka to the top, though I'm not sure how often it runs. A good Sri Lankan friend of mine went there a couple of weeks ago, and this is how she got up, taking the bus from kalabaka.
3
germander
A 5 second Google search brought up several sites on Meteora, this is the first listed and looks practical Meteora. Suggest you also buy a guidebook (LP Guide to Greece?) which will give you all the access information etc that you need, or borrow from your local library and copy the relevant pages.
4
hydronetta
I did it 20 years ago (!!) following the paved road and it was long but not difficlut at all and I am not fit... There are shortcuts but still not that difficult
5
taranaki_chick
If you stay in Kastraki you will be closer and it is a lovely little town. If you are cooking for yourself...get your supplies at Kalambaka first. I was there this last may. I took the local bus up to the top monastery and then walked all the way down visiting some of the monasteries. It was an easy walk...about 5 km...with fabulous views of monstaries, rock formations and woods which was so much better seen by walking. It is a fairly steep road going up. Did not see a toilet but plenty of trees to hop behind. A few stalls at the top of the road selling drinks and trinkets. I went on a sunday so there was only one bus that day, in the morning, that went up to the top of Meteora. It is a continuation of the usual bus that goes betwen Kalambaka and Kastraki. Lots of tour buses will be going up too. The monastery that is at closest to town is only a few minutes from Kastraki and can be reached by a lovely rural track or by road. I did meet a couple who were doing some hiking in the area. Said that the Moon guide books gave them all the details of the trails. Aloha
6
ratman
Hello all. I hope to be at Meteroa in a few days. Does anyone have a recommendation for accomodation in Kastraki? I have the LP Euro Shoestring book, but it only has one not so cheap suggestion.
Thanks!
Ratman
7
pitioussa
I think you will find something right then and there to stay. It is not crowded now and there are plenty of places. the road is paved all the way up, but you may want to go up by bus or taxi or if you are renting a car there is no problem. there are toilets at various places. take some toilet paper or kleenex in your bag, just in case. before you go up get some water etc. from Kastri or Kalmbaka. It is beautiful and very unique. have fun.
8
biebdab
Last June there were 2 buses daily from Kalambaka ( via Kastraki ), check for the schedules with the tourist information - I think the morning bus was leaving at 09.15 hrs., the later one at 13.00 hrs. The bus did - strangely enough - NOT stop at the bus stop opposite the tourist office, but picked up passengers in the middle of the road crossing ! After arrival at Varlaam monastery, the bus returns immediately to Kalambaka ( perhaps calling at other monasteries as well, but I'm not sure... ). We walked then via other monasteries up to Agia Triada ( the weather that day was very bad - torrential rains, clouds, fogs ), and walked then via the path ( 'monopathi' ) down to Kalambaka in about half an hour. Beware of the often slippery condition ! When entering the village we got the first sun ray of the day
:-/.
Before leaving up to Meteora, check the opening times of the different monasteries to avoid disappointment, the tourist office has a printed list and a map. Or check on www.meteorakalambaka.com.
9
ratman
Meteora was wonderful, our best experience in Greece actually. We found accomodation in Kastraki, a small hotel/pension around behind the optomertist. Go there, it was wonderful, we had a balcony with view and bathroom for €30 double room!
We caught the bus 9am to the top monastery and walked back to town via 4 others. Very scenic and cool. We also bush bashed a bit (awful trails with no markings) to an old ruined hermitage you can see wedged way up a rock crevice.
Go there!
Ratman
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