Travelling within the Peloponnese Page 5 (see Greece train map)

Aigion to Diakofto

After Aigion, the rail line crosses the Selinous river, passes the modern village of Eliki, near which a prosperous ancient city was destroyed by earthquake in 373BC, prompting geological surveys, conducted by Greek and American archaeologists, of the alluvial area between the Selinous River and the Voraikos river to the east. Two ancient levels of habitation were found-the highest level Roman, the one below it dating to the Classical period, when the ancient city exisited. After the train leaves the sea for a short stretch, it returns to it again at Diakofto, which faces the water, with the Achean Mountains rising behind it. A large village with nice beaches, hotels and restaurants, Diakofto owes its prosperity partly to the two railway lines that cross it, and that allow trade with the mountain villages behind it. The famous rack and pinion/ cog railway and the journey between here and Kalavryta (stopping at Zachorlou on the way, is described in the article on Kalavryta. From Zachorlou, one can climb Mount Helmos.

Diakofto to Corinth Beyond Diakofto, the rail line hugs the coast along the Gulf of Corinth, passing through the seaside villages of Akrata and Derveni. A more attractive ascent of Mount Helmos is possible from Akrata than from Zachlorou, with a local bus from the town (three times weekly) going to the trailhead. An alternative to the bus is the dirt road behind the train tracks. The hike is five hours to the Mavroneri waterfall, with the seasonally inhabited village of Solos en route. The waterfall, was the traditional source of the River Styx, which the souls of the dead had to cross to enter Hades. The next major stop is Xilokastro (wooden castle), a large village of about 5,000 inhabitants and a popular seaside resort for Corinthians. Several tavernas line the tracks. Mount Parnassus looms across the gulf. From this town, buses go to Trikala and for a trek up Mt. Zirin. After Xilokastro, the rail line passes a potential stop for modern and ancient Sikyon; next comes Kiato, which is a thriving port located amid orchards. This town has about 10,000 inhabitants; there are remains of an early Byzantine basilika near the station. Buses lead from here to Sikyon, and to Lake Stymphalia, and those wanting to visit Perahora across the Gulf, might be lucky enough to persuade some small boat owner in the harbor to make the trip. After Kiato, the rail lines leaves the coast and runs through seemingly endless orchards and the small village of Braxati to Corinth. The Acrocorinth Castle is visible off to the right as the train approaches Corinth, up on its limestone outcrop. The track goes from single to double, and soon you are in the city. From there, you can travel across the Isthmus to Athens, or south through the Argolid to Mycenaea, Nafplio, Tripoli, and Kalamata. Fifteen trains serve Athens daily from Corinth, with eleven of those making the stop at the Isthmus Station for a view of the Canal. Seven daily trains continue south to the Argolid.

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