The route to Kalavryta starts in Pounda (near village Trapeza) at the 60th km on the New National Road Patras – Athens if you come from Patras, and at the 184th km on the same road if you come from Athens. Signs inform you that it is the beginning of the road that takes you to Kalavryta, the Lake Cavern, the Ski Resort. Reset your distance meter and start driving on the ascending road...
Ladopotamos river is on your right. The road is good, if a little narrow, and becomes quite winding, so drive carefully and avoid high speeds. This way, you can also enjoy at he wonderful landscape as you drive through the green canyon or next to imposing mountains. At 6.9km you enter the village of Ano Diakopto. A sign informs travellers that the road to the right takes you to village Katholiko. We keep on the left side and make sure we are very careful with the dangerous bend at 7.5km.
In winter, the road gets icy quite often. It is also crossed by animals frequently, so extra care should be taken. The more you drive on your way up, the greater the view you get of the Corinthian Bay.
At 10.9 km the sign informs you that the road to the left takes you to village Psamiako. At 11.9km you find village Kernitsa and at 13.3km the chapel of Agioi Anargiroi. From the 17th km on, the landscape becomes more mountainous and the first forests of coniferous trees appear. Make a stop at the 20.4th km and look down to the ravine on your right. You will see the rails of the Rack Railway.
At 22km you see Mega Spilaio (the Great Cavern), an imposing figure on the rock. Many coaches full of pilgrims arrive there every year. A sign tells us that the Lake Caverns are 27km away and Kalavryta 10km away. At 22.7km there is a kiosk where you can rest and the place that meets trail E4. At 25.4km there’s another sign for Zahlorou, Ano Zahlorou and Doumena. If you turn right there and you go through the maple tree forest, you arrive at Kato Zahlorou, where the landscape is simply amazing.
Enjoy your coffee in one of the traditional cafes, stretch out and then go back to the main street on your way to Kalavryta. At 28.3km you see a sign for Kerpini, Rogoi and Plataniotissa, but instead of turning right to these villages, you drive straight. At 33km you enter Kalavryta.
Detour to Vrachni - Souvardo
In Vraxni and Souvardo you will not only be excited with nature, but you will also feel the desire to build a country home. There are many coniferous trees and the road is good though a little narrow and winding. Be careful of landslides on your left. Suddenly, you come to Vrahni, a beautiful village up on the mountain, where you may lose track of time and just take deep breaths while you look at the magnificent view. At 7th km there’s a beautiful chapel with an oversized cross. There is more and more shade because the trees get thicker. At 8.4km you enter Souvardo. What you will find in the main square is the old maple tree, a stone spring and the church of Prophet Helias which celebrates on 20th July. You are at an altitude of 1,300 metres and you can see village Kerpini. There is a small country road, starting at Souvardo and going to Tsivlos lake through the forest. This road is ideal for hikers but also for those who wish to enjoy a scenic drive as long as they drive carefully. Another hiking trail starts at Souvardo and takes you to Megalo Spilaio after 2 hours. At Stavros, there is a spring for the hikers to quench their thirst.
