An area well away from the tourist trail, central Corinthia has much to offer. Pack a picnic [and picnic blanket] as there are plenty of lovely sites to stop and take in the view.
Pheneos Valley
Pheneos valley is a beautiful flat and fertile valley 700 metres above sea level ringed by mountains, the tallest being Mount Killlini which rises to over 2300 metres above sea level. There are the remains of an acropolis to explore at Ancient Pheneos with some exhibits on display at the local museum nearby.
The 13th century ruins of Zaraka Monastery can be seen from the main road. If you park up you may be lucky and find the gate unlocked, [watch out for snakes].
Stymfalian Lake is a bird sanctuary but we didn’t see any birds, we actually didn’t see much water either as much of the lake is hidden by reeds. We were also hard pushed to recognise the ruins of Ancient Stymphalos on the edge of the lake, there were just a few rocks and boulders in the undergrowth.
Doxis Lake [Lake Doxa]
Lake Doxa is about an hour’s drive north of Levidi, about 40 minutes east[ish] of Lake Stymfalian. It’s actually man made but is an attractive spot for a picnic and a mooch. There is a spit of land jutting out with Agios Fanourios, a small chapel at the end. From here you should follow the signs to Agios Giorgios which overlooks the lake.
Agios Giorgios Monastery
The monastery is 18th Century and the monks are very welcoming. It was open in the afternoon which is a rarity and we were offered a free coffee. They have a small shop selling home made food and local products, their honey is sublime! The courtyard of the monastery is lovely with overhanging balconies.
The small 18th Century church is elaborately decorated with frescos and an ornate iconostasis. The entrance is decorated with a bronze depiction of St George slaying a dragon. We loved our visit here, it was a wonderful experience.
There are also overhanging balconies on the outside offering superb views of the lake below.
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