An e-bike journey through Menalon’s fir forests and traditional stone villages, featuring a homemade picnic in Arcadia.
The Place
Menalon Mountain lies in the heart of the Peloponnese and is one of the greenest regions in southern Greece. Long known as the land of Pan and Hermes, this is a landscape of dense fir forests, deep gorges, and stone villages that follow a peaceful, pastoral way of life. On this Menalon Forest e-bike tour, you will find an untouched world of cool mountain air and total silence, where humans and nature coexist in perfect balance.
The Trip
We meet in Stemnitsa, a historic stone village perched above the Lousios Gorge, for a brief orientation and bike fitting. Setting off along quiet forest tracks, the route climbs gradually beneath a heavy canopy of fir trees. Utilizing high-quality electric bikes, the ascents feel smooth and effortless, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the scent of pine and the mountain’s natural rhythm.
As we ride deeper into the heart of Menalon, the world slows down. You may encounter local shepherds with their flocks or pass clearings where time seems to pause in the stillness. Our destination is Libovisi, a remote mountain settlement suspended in time. In this hidden corner, rarely visited by travelers, we enjoy a homemade picnic featuring fresh, traditional flavors deeply tied to Arcadian heritage. After savoring the stillness of the deep woods, we follow the forest paths back, carrying the rare feeling of having truly entered a mythic landscape.
Highlights
- Effortless e-biking: Glide through dense fir forests on quiet mountain routes.
- Ride cool: Shaded conditions are ideal for summer cycling.
- Authentic Settlements: Start in historic Stemnitsa and reach the rarely visited mountain village of Libovisi.
- Signature Mountain Picnic: Enjoy a homemade picnic with local flavors in a peaceful, natural setting.
- Mythic Landscapes: Cycle through the legendary land of Pan and Hermes in one of Greece’s most important ecosystems.
Key Details
Morning Tour Meeting Time: 10:00 a.m.
Meeting point: Stemnitsa Parking
Duration: 4 hours including breaks
Difficulty: Moderate
Suitability: Family friendly, Group friendly, Couples, Youth, Recreational cyclists
This cycling tour is ideal for e-bikes, making the ride smooth, relaxed, and accessible.
Know before you book the Menalon Forest E-bike Tour
Details:
Terrain: Paved mountain roads and forest tracks
Distance: 35-40km
Total Elevation: 890m
Duration: 4 hours with breaks
Skill level: Easy
Route distance and total elevation details are adjusted according to the group’s skills and abilities.
Booking Conditions:
There is a minimum number of 4 participants required for this activity to take place.
Once the minimum required is met, bookings from individuals can be accepted.
Are you an individual, a couple, or a group of 3 people?
Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be happy to reserve a place for you and will assist in coordinating your participation should more participants register their interest.
Activity requirements:
- Basic cycling skills are required.
- Average physical condition.
- Parental accompaniment is required for minors to take part in this activity.
- A written waiver form is compulsory to be filled in before taking part in this activity.
Includes:
- HaiBike HardTail e-Bikes.
- High Quality Gear: Helmet, Bike bags.
- Professional Cycling leader, First Aid certified.
- Eco-friendly, cultural, and educational guiding.
- Picnic with freshly baked bread, handpicked vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, local cheese, and fruits of the season.
- Photographs from the trip.
- All taxes.
Excludes:
- Water (please bring your own full bottle of water).
- Transfer to the meeting point.
- Tip or gratuity.
Upgrades and discounts:
- Private trips available.
- Discounts available for families and kids.
- Hotel pick-up/drop-off upon request.
Cancelations:
See our terms and conditions.
Know before you go
What to bring with you:
- Bottle of water (a reusable bottle helps in minimizing plastic waste).
- Sunscreen.
- Any medication you may be on.
- Hiking or running shoes (avoid open shoes, sandals, or flipflops).
- Comfortable clothes according to weather conditions.
- Sunglasses.
- Small backpack (optional).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous experience?
Yes, the ability to ride a bicycle is important. Even if you do not have previous experience with an e-bike, it is necessary to be confident riding a bicycle. It is suggested to have ridden a bike recently, and not just have the knowledge and the skills since childhood. The Menalon Forest e-bike tour is easy to perform since you have basic cycling skills. All of our trips are about journeying. We cycle at a relaxed pace, we learn on the move, and we enjoy the natural environment. If you are a group of experienced riders wanting to complete a demanding journey, then a private trip would be the best option.
Is this e-biking tour suitable for families with kids?
Absolutely YES! A cycling trip is a wonderful way for your child and teenagers to explore the outdoors. There are so many reasons to love a cycling trip with kids. Watching them gain confidence when outdoors, giving them the chance to see places from a different perspective, and teaching them about the natural environment.
What is the minimum age for a kid to join this e-biking tour?
Kids from 10 may join a standard group trip or a private trip. We always ride with kids at a relaxed pace giving them the opportunity to learn and have fun.
What kind of fitness level do I need to take part?
Relatively good physical condition is required. Keep in mind that the most important thing is to have fun and to enjoy the journey. We’ll take plenty of breaks and walk at an achievable pace.
What is the size of a group?
From 2 participants up to 12 people on our standard group trips. Most of our groups consist of couples, families, and individuals. We can also cater to smaller groups on private trips.
What is the trip best suited for me? How do I choose?
All of our trips are designed to be suitable for everybody. Each one has its own unique characteristics. The best way to choose a trip among others is to check which one departs closer to the place you are staying.
Do you offer private trips?
Yes, we can organize a private tour, standard or tailor-made, just for you, your family, or your friends.
Should I book a standard trip or a private trip?
If you are happy to ride with a mixed group or don’t want to spend as much money, then booking a standard group trip is the best way to go. Private trips really work best with groups of experienced riders or groups of friends who want to do something a bit different, would like to do a more advanced journey, or just want to have privacy and enjoy the trip just themselves.
Is lunch provided?
Yes, simple, nutritious, and flavorsome, the food is one of the pleasures during our trips. Halfway, we make a relaxing stop at a nice place to taste a picnic with freshly baked bread, organic garden-grown fruits and vegetables, homemade olive oil, and cheese.
What route will we take?
We usually perform our tours within a certain route, aiming to visit the most beautiful spots each trip has to offer; however, your guide is likely to choose an alternative route that suits the conditions on the day and the experience and needs of the group. This is the safest and best way to operate hiking trips.
Where do I park my car?
You can park your vehicle safely and for free near our meeting point. Feel free to ask us about the parking conditions for a specific trip.
What happens if the weather is unsuitable?
A cycling trip is either cancelled, and we return your money, or arranged for another day.
How can I book a trip?
You can fill out the online booking form at E-Bike Tour Menalon Forest, or any other trip you want to participate in.
At Explore Messinia, we are committed to promoting sustainable tourism and preserving the natural beauty of the landscape for future generations. Our e-bike tours embody this green character in several meaningful ways. By using electric bikes, we reduce reliance on fossil fuels, ensuring minimal emissions and a quieter, more eco-friendly way to explore the region.
Firstly, we provide eco-friendly and sustainable equipment. Our e-bikes are designed using high-quality, durable materials intended to have a minimal environmental impact
We strongly encourage all participants to bring a reusable water bottle to minimize the use of plastic throwaways. Hydration is crucial, but it doesn’t have to come at the expense of our planet’s health. Refillable bottles can be topped up before departure to ensure you have ample water for the journey.
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond equipment and personal habits. We integrate environmental stewardship into our activities. During our tours, guides will provide space and bags for small clean-ups, encouraging participants to help maintain and even improve the condition of the places we visit. We ask everyone to collect any plastic or other debris encountered along the way, ensuring that we leave the locations better than we found them.
By following these sustainable practices, together we can ensure that the stunning landscapes we explore remain undisturbed and that our e-bike tours continue to be eco-friendly and enriching for all.
You can read more about our Sustainability Policy and Code of Conduct here.
