Around Panachaiko, Achaea 20130105

The loop around Panachaiko mountain range.

0,0km - the route starts from Ag Vassileios to the east, following old national road for first 23km, until Selianitika. This part is flat by the gulf of Corinth, relaxing and offering nice views to the gulf and mountains to the north.
NOTE: I recommend this direction of the whole loop mainly for this part of the route to be done in morning hours when traffic on old national road in very low. Later in the day, this section might be a nightmare!

23,1km - Selianitika. After passing big cross roads with directions to new national road, in about 900m, route turns right and goes up through the valley, passing villages: Kiparissi, Gefira and Alses, until crossroads at 31st km at altitude of 420m.

31,5km - Crossroads. Route takes sharp turn left in direction to Mageiras, Mirovrysi and Krini. Still climbing, route passes the villages with fairly flat/descent section between 36,5 and 40th km, to reach Krini at altitude of 750m.

43,5km - Krini. End of asphalt road. Small, narrow and steep dirt road starts from the village and in many parts full of water at this time of the year. Last climb before reaching Aigio-Chalandritsa road is very steep, in very bad condition and with even more water.
Note: Most probably this part might not be possible in more wet season (mar/apr/may).

49,3km - Highest Point of the route at 1160m. Just vefore entering the village the route reaches the highest point. In the village takes a sharp right turn to the west where asphalt road starts again. Route continues west, following signs to Souli/Ano Souli/Patra for next 6km.

56,0km - Passing Veteika. After about 500m after the village, asphalt road goes straigh/left while the route turns right to wide dirt road (again following signs to Patra). Dirt road ends after 5km in Pigi, next to old taverna, and asphalt road starts again. Steep and fast descent from this point until Panagia.

67,5km - Panagia. After the church, route turns left to narrow concrete path and goes extremely steep down (be carefull with the breaks here, mine almost melt!) for about 2km to join again main asphalt road at enterance to Ag Ioannis.
NOTE: It was probably my mistake to take this detour (I was misleaded from google, showing this one as main route in the valley). It would be probably safer and faster to follow straigh in Panagia through Mintzeika.

69,5km - Ag Ioannis. Very good, wide and fast road starts from the village all the way down to suburbs of Patra in Karia/Neo Souli, just above Perimetriki.

77,0km - Over Perimetriki. After crossing the highway, route follows Irakleous and Germanou str, down to the city center and Gounari str to the docks.

84,0km - Docks. Flat again. Route goes by the sea in the docks, later with Ir Politechniou, Ag Konstantinou and Afstralias to Mpozaitika, Kastellokampos, Rio and back to Ag Vassileios.

97,1km - Ag Vassileios. Finito!

I was lucky enough with the weather, having almost no wind even in the upper sections of the route. In any other case, ride would be much more challenging.
The route offers some amazing views: first to the gulf and north mountains, then to he valley full of grape fields and olive trees, then deep and dense forrest, Panachaiko mountains, Erymanthos, Glafkos valley and panoramic view of Patras over Perimetriki.
Level difficult mainly for distance, altitude difference and short challenging section above Krini. More than 80% of the route is on asphalt roads, but for the others, MTB is a must, therefore I mark it MTB.