Planning of the route
As all Long Distance Trails, Long Pelion Trail is meant to be crossed as a continuous multi-day hike. The route is planned to be done in either 11 days, or in 12 days, if you add one more day off in the middle of the distance, eg in Damouchari or Tsagarada.
However depending on the planning and capability of the team, it can be done as an Ultra Trail pace (eg in two or three 24h sections), as a challenging mountain run (in 4-5 days), or in a fast trekking pace (6-8 days). The choice depends on the physical strenght of the group, the weather conditions and the desired pace.
Hiking time
In addition to the above factors, the time needed between two locations can be estimated using objective variables, such as the length of the route, the difficulty of the route - a parameter related to the gradient of the slope and its walkability - and the cumulative elevation difference of ascent and descent.
Each of the above parameters has a different weighting in the final time calculation routine. use the LPT Course Calculator to estimate the hiking time for each section and the entire route, based on your walking pace and your ascent and descent rate.
Best season
With the exception of heavy winters, Long Pelion Trail can be walked all year round. The years there is snow along the higher parts of the trail (eg Schitzuravli and Dramala), one could shortcut this section and reach Mouresi by car. Keeping in mind that in mid-summer, the heat at low altitudes can be annoying, so the best period to walk Long Pelion Trail is Spring and Autumn months.
Equipment
Equipment suggested for a 11-day course on Spring or Autumn (hiking all day and overnight in the villages).
- Backpack with a capacity of 30-40 lt
- 1.5 lt water bottle in insulating case
- 1-2 synthetic T-shirts and one long-sleeved
- Fleece jacket
- A good raincoat
- Trekking boots
- Two pairs of socks
- Light trekking pants
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Headlamp (do not rely on mobile phone)
- Personal hygiene items
- A pair of walking sticks
- First aid kit
- Supplies
- For multi-day hikes, choose foods high in simple carbohydrates and low in fiber and fat. It is important that our supplies take up as little space as possible and have a high caloric value per weight ratio.
Security
The whole route unfolds near the provincial road network and in the wider area of Volos. As a result, getting help is easy and immediate. Make sure you have a well-charged mobile phone and a reliable power bank with its cable.
Avoid to pass near domestic animals and be aware of shepherd's dogs.
