Just a stone’s throw from Kalamata is mount Kalathi, a towering presence visible from every corner of the city. At times, it is starkly outlined against the sky; at others, it is shrouded in cloud. Its close proximity to both the sea and the city is unusual for a mountain of such stature. The mountain’s slopes are home to charming villages swathed in greenery, and its pinnacle boasts forests of fir and pine trees, providing a breathtaking vista of the Messinian Bay and the city of Kalamata.Our hike sets off from the fashionable suburb of Kalamata - the village of Kato Verga. We trek the westward stone path to the village of Ano Verga. This historic hamlet, poised on the mountainside, is abundant with ancient stone houses, winding lanes and springs filled with pristine waters.

• Explore Messinia reserves the right to modify or cancel any outdoor activity due to bad weather or technical difficulties.