Petroto from AchaeaKlauss (with Dasos) 17k +850m, Patra 20140621

Trail running loop from Achaea Clauss gate to Petroto village. It was ment to be part of my preparation to Zagori Run at the end of July this year. The race will be 21k +1100m, so this was planned to be sthg close to the race conditions.

0,0k at 145m - Achaea Clauss gate. First 1,9k is on asphalt following local road towards Petroto (enough signs to find it easily even without any GPS). Steady and pretty mediorace climb.

1,9k at 275m - Forest of Petroto. On the bend of the road, trail leaves asphalt to the left to enter nice forest hiking path. First with fast descent all the way down to 220m altitude, and later constant very steep climb to the top of the hill. All the way up inside the forest with a grade big enough to force me to power hike (no way for me to keep running cadence).

4,5k at 600m - Hill top. Last maybe 400m are actually out of the forest but in the morning it was not a problem. Originally I planned to run down with same path until the asphalt road, but when on top I decided to cut with steep downhill. I am not sure it was good decision (see photos). The descent was impossible to run, the path was not clear at all so I was stopping a lot just to figure out my next few meters, and was full of very sharp bushes which made some pretty deep scratches on my lower legs (some even until blood). Fortunately this section was not long and very soon I was back on asphalt road.

5,1k at 460m - Asphalt road. I continued with mild climb all the way up to Petroto. Great views to the valley on my right. I met some sheeps with dogs, but they were not too agressive and I could pass by walking without making them mad.

10,1k at 730m - Petroto. Tiny village way up in the mountains located on flat plateau. I knew I will not meet any springs (even at local church) so I did carry camel back with 2l. Route goes right with dirt road and after tiny climb to 780m, it goes all the way down to Achaea Clauss.

13,0k at 590m - Missed cut. The run down was pretty much all the way with dirt road, only in some places full of smaller rocks making it a bit technical. I actually regret not taking some shortcuts with kinda like hiking paths to train some really technical downhill running. Anyway, next time I will know better.

15,2k at 370m - Crossroads. I continued sharp right down to Achaea Clauss, but this is an option for future longer runs to turn here left and start climb to Omplos (which I already know from my previous runs).

16,0k at 280m - Another option. At this point there is a smaller path going left/up to avoid finishing the run at Achaea Clauss. This is just for sake of not jumping through vinery's gate (in opens at 10am and if You finish Your run earlier, You are forced to jump through kinda like escaping thief :-P). Anyway, I didnt mind a jump to I continued with dirt road.

17,4k at 145m - Gate, jump and finish. Last 500m are on asphalt again.

I mark it moderate - I guess because I am improving :-P Only the forest path section is really demanding and I could rate it higher, but rest is pretty easy and relaxing. Only bad thing I noticed are my shoes, which are not so durable when running on hard trail with sharp rocks. They got pounded pretty hard on the descent and look much worse than I expected after about 150km. I am very happy with forest path running in them, but rocky trails probably need sthg more rough... Another investment I guess...