Lap of the Gods challenge
HIGHLIGHTS
6-day (7 nights) road cycling trip/challenge around the Peloponnese Peninsula.
Average per day: 130km distance / 1,950m climbing / Difficulty 4/5.
The ‘Lap Of The Gods’ (Sparta Version). Ride a further 30km each day - difficulty 5-5).
Ride the highest paved climbs in the Peloponnese and the most famous Greek road (climb) ‘The Langada Pass’.
Enjoy coffee stops at ancient remains in Sparta, Olympia, Messene & Epidavros Amphitheatre.
Pass locations of ancient legends.
Overnight stays in relaxed seafront towns.
Finishers medals and certificates.
Chris as cycling guide with local vehicle support.
Six nights in boutique 3-star hotels.
Meals, hotels & site entrances included.
£1,850 / €2145 per rider. This tour can also be booked by clubs, private groups and charity fundraising challenges (at a discount).
ITINERARY
Day 1 / Sunday
ATHENS TO NEMEA
Our start line is at the original stadium of the first modern Olympics in Athens, in 1896, where cycling was one of the only ten sports, then it’s off, past the Acropolis and Parthenon, a warm-up along the coast and (if ferry timings allow) a quick bit of island hopping and out to the Corinth Canal (an astonishing engineering feat that opened in 1893, only 21m wide over its 6km length that cuts off the Peloponnese from the rest of Greece) and the start line of the ‘Lap of the Gods.’
We climb for a coffee, looking over the majestic views from the Temple of Aphrodite at Acrocorinth. Then it’s back down and a final 25km of quiet, rolling roads taking us to the end of the day - but the start of an evening tasting the very best wine at the centre of Greece’s wine-making revival, in the vineyards of Nemea, whilst listening to stories of Hercules’s labours and the very first athletic festivals, that took place here.
110km distance / 800m climbing
Day 2 / Monday
NEMEA TO OLYMPIA
Our queen stage, the morning takes us across the Northern Peloponnese, past monasteries, stone villages and isolated ruins, with views across to the snow-capped Mount Helmos, home to the Peloponnese’s ski resorts.
After coffee, it’s the major climb of the day, up the northern slopes of the Taygetus mountain range, rising 1,933m in two parts, over 66km, before we stop for lunch at the summit and an afternoon coasting downhill, through the vast Louisa Gorge, where Zeus bathed as an infant. A quick coffee stop beside the monasteries in the cliff-hanging village of Steminitsa, (which also doubles as a lunch stop for the walkers taking on the challenge of the Manavon trail) and onto the finish.
We fittingly end our marathon of a day at Olympia, where the world’s greatest sporting event begun in 776BC (the date when the Greeks believe their history began) and where till today, the torch is still lit at the start of its journey to the opening of each Olympics.
160km distance / 2,900 climbing
Day 3 / Tuesday
OLYMPIA TO VOIDOKILIA
Following yesterday’s tough day, we have a flat run down the Eastern side of the Peloponnese, coasting through unspoiled, whitewashed fishing villages and unbroken sights of the best beaches of the whole peninsula.
The aim is to finish early enough for a swim at the picture postcard, Voidokilia lagoon. A paradise, that looks like its been magically transported here from the Caribbean, with its azure waters and white sandy beach.
123km distance / 700m climbing
Day 4 / Wednesday
VOIDOKILIA TO SPARTA
A pre-breakfast swim? And then it’s off inland, past the towering walls of the entire city of ancient Messene. Its theatre, fountains and stadium are still here, at one of the most intact historical sites.
It’s a further 50km inland to Kalamata and lunch, including some of their world-famous olives.
The afternoon starts with climbing the most famous road in all of Greece, the Langada Pass, and amazing views down the Mani region; remote and mountainous, it is also the entrance to Hades’ hell and that’s maybe what the afternoon will bring with the challenge of the Peloponnese’s highest paved climb, Mount Taygetus, rising 1,300m over 36km, taking you to the breath-taking setting of Mystra, the Byzantine Empire’s cultural and religious capital.
It’s then down and through the valley of olive groves to your rightfully earned night’s rest in the military stronghold of Sparta!
130km distance / 2,700m climbing
Day 5 / Thursday
SPARTA TO NAFPLIO
Wake up feeling like a spartan warrior or Helen of Troy (who came from here)? If not, a quick visit to the famous statue of King Leonidas, the legendary leader of the 300 Spartans, should see you motivated and ready to tackle the Peloponnese’s second-highest climb, Mount Parnanos; with lots of up and down, it finally rises a total of 1,776m, over 64km.
From the top you can see your evening ahead - below the dramatic hilltop castles, lay the café and culture-loving locals, relaxing around the harbour in the most beautiful town of the Peloponnese, Nafplio.
First, though, it’s just the matter of enjoying the 40km descent into Agostos and the 30km flat coastal ride to the former capital of the whole of Greece.
137km distance / 2,700m climbing
Day 6 / Friday
NAFPLIO TO CORINTH CANAL
We leave Nafplio, along the coast, on the 'road of the heart’, said to extend the life of any rider with heart issues! Before 40km of rolling lanes lead to, what is for many riders, the historical highlight of the whole lap, a coffee stop at one of the best-surviving structures in Greece, the ancient amphitheatre of Epidaurus.
A further 20km onto its small village for our harbourside lunch and stories of how the stoics truly found the secret to happiness here. After lunchtime stories, fresh fish, coffee, and pastries, it’s along the coast for the heavenly views that first drew us to the Peloponnese, until we reach Ancient Corinth.
Your lap is complete and we celebrate with certificates, and medals. As Homer informs us, this is not just the scene of an end-of-tour party but also where legends Jason and Medea, settled, where Pegasus the winged horse, drank from the spring and where Hades punished anyone who stepped out of line.
With that warning and 750km in our legs, it could be an early night.
96km distance / 2,100m climbing
Day 7 / Saturday
DEPARTURE DAY / CORINTH TO ATHENS
9 am departure from hotel, by support vehicle to your hotel in Athens (10am) or to the airport (11am).
You can choose to have your luggage transported to the hotel in Athens and ride this route (50km).
EXTRAS
HOTELS
On the ‘Lap of The Gods’, you will be staying in our partner boutique 3-star hotels. Carefully researched and pre-tested for suitability for cyclists, comfort, access to local sights or town and for food portion sizes!
FOOD
The Mediterranean diet is recognised as one of the world’s healthiest and on tour it will be in abundance – from morning pastries with local yoghurt and honey, to lunchtime coffee, gyros pitas and cake to evening meze, souvlaki and fresh fish. Vegetarian dishes (and any specific dietary requirements flagged in advance) will also be available.
See more about the food in the FAQ’s
All meals (minus on-bike replenishment and alcoholic drinks) are included in your trip cost.