Ancient Trail or Peraia Chora Road
This is the road that connected Loutraki with Perachora. After many testimonies the trail was discovered and highlighted. The hiker has the opportunity to observe and admire the stone constructions on the slopes of the trail, walking through trees always with a constant view of the sea. An excellent route for anyone who wants to take a walk on the mountain, without having to move their car. The trail is clear and slightly inclined, ideal for walkers of all physical conditions. It ends at the road of Prophet Elias Monastery and those who choose to walk all the way through, will end up at the Monastery of Agia Marina in the city of Loutraki! A circular route of about 10 km, worth walking! Pay attention though! The trail is also used by cyclists so be vigilant! For the whole route you will need 2.5-3 hours depending on the pace you have.
Important information : Easy access/ circular route/ sports or hiking shoes/ beware of bicycles
The Isthmus Canal
The isthmus Canal or the Corinth Canal is probably the most popular attraction in the area. Located between Loutraki and Corinth, the Isthmus Canal dates a history of thousands of years. The first attempt to build a canal was carried out by Periander in 602 B.C. Since then until its final opening on July 25th, 1893, many were those who tried to carry out this unique construction project but most of the times the exorbitant costs forbid them from completing it and abandoned the project.
The study of the project was made by the Hungarian engineer and canal architect, B. Gerfer, chief engineer of the Francis Canal in Hungary and inspected by the engineer Daujats, chief engineer of the Suez Canal. For the final configuration, studies of three different engravings were made. The most accurate and economical, the engraving designed by Nero, was prevailed. The opening of the canal lasted 11 years. It seems that more than 2,500 people worked and the most sophisticated means of the time were used. The inauguration of the Corinth Canal took place with great pomp and was held on July 25th, 1893 by the Prime Minister of Greece Sotirios Sotiropoulos. During World War II, when the Germans retreated, blew up the slopes of the Canal and at the same time threw train cars, resulting in the canal being closed for 5 years (1944-1949).
Today the Isthmus Canal is 6,346 meters long while the width of the sea within it reaches 24.6 meters with the maximum height reaching 80 meters!
The visitor can view this Man-made Engineering Marvel, from the bridge next to the National Road Athens-Corinth. On the spot, you will find the “info kiosk“, where you can be informed of all the sights in the area, and mainly of this monument, dedicated to those who worked on this ambitious/unique project. Also, from the area of Posidonia you can view the channel from sea level and crossing through the sinking bridge, can admire the ancient Diolkos. That is, the paved road, on which tree trunks were placed, which were previously smeared with grease so that ships could easily roll on them. This is how the ships of that time were transported, from the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Gulf and vice versa. The ancient Diolkos is considered one of the most important engineering works of the ancient Greeks as it connected the two major ports of antiquity, Kechrees in the Saronic Gulf and the port of Lechaion in the Corinthian Gulf, in order to avoid the long and dangerous circumnavigation of the Peloponnese.
We highly recommend you to live the experience of crossing the Isthmus Canal. The route is impressive and unique in the whole country! The boats operate mostly during the summer months starting from the area of Kalamaki in Isthmia with frequent itineraries.
Melagavi Lighthouse
The lighthouse of Melagavi dominates next to the archaeological site of Heraion. From Loutraki you will need 20 minutes to get here. There is parking space for vehicles. While taking the steps and descending to sea level, you reach the impressive archaeological site. The entrance is free while on the other side there is a small alley that leads to the lighthouse in just 5 minutes. The landscape is magnificent, breathtaking and wild at the same time! The towering lighthouse first operated in 1897 fueled by oil and finally electrified in 1982. In 2001 it was declared a natural monument by the Greek State and is part of a Natura 2000. The panoramic view will enchant you. On August 20th, The World Lighthouse Day, it is open to the public.
Important information: Easy access/ walking on a trail/ sports shoes/ mind when you have children with you.
Χτίστηκε στη δυτική πλευρά του Κυνορτίου όρους τον 4ο αι. π.Χ. από τον Πολύκλειτο και το 2ο αι. π.Χ. η χωρητικότητά του αυξήθηκε.
Κάθε καλοκαίρι στις 14.000 περίπου θέσεις του φιλοξενεί τους λάτρεις του αρχαίου δράματος, που έρχονται να απολαύσουν τα απαράμιλλης αξίας έργα των μεγάλων τραγικών και κωμικών ποιητών.