Mount Taigetos

 For our last day in the Mani region we head towards Mount Taigetos which dominates the landscape.
The mountain is snow capped and at 2404 metres is the highest in thee region.
 
 
On route to its base we travel through some wonderful scenery and villages in the foothills
There are plenty of monasteries up in this area, as they were built away from the temptations of village life.




 
We find the start of our walk at a spring above the village of Palaiopanagia. 

 
 It climbs steeply through the black pine forest and eventually arrives at Varvara-Dereki, and alpine refuge.  From here you can reach the summit, another 900 metre climb.  We finish at the refuge at 1540 metres our excuse being it was too late in the day to make the top and back before dark.  If you believe that then you don't know Rob!





 
On the way back down we spot a small monastery built into a cave high on the cliff wall.  Look closely at the picture below, bottom right hand corner of the rock.
 


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