点评:Overall, a really good experience, but there were some definite drawbacks, so I will outline the experience here.
First, before arriving in Greece, I ordered a map from the official Menalon Trail office. I paid via the European banking system (unusual for Americans, but ensured the money was sent). I did not receive a map or an explanation. Eventually, I emailed the office and was told the money was received, but because of new tarrifs, the map was not sent. I could pick it up in person. I was not told they are only open 2 hours/day (5p-7p) and even then, the main person usually hangs out at a nearby restaurant. All that to say, once I did get to the office, the lady was super nice and helpful. She walked through the map, the route, gave tips, water and food stops, advice on dogs (not an issue), etc. So, not good ahead of time but 5 stars once I arrived.
The trail is overall really good, but a few things to note. It covers all type of trail - singletrack, dirt road, paved road, etc. About 40% of the single track is overgrown with prickly bushes. This is very annoying because sometimes the overgrowth completely covers the trail, and all that is left is the drop off or wall of rock. So, you have to push through the overgrowth. This gets old real quick.
In early Sep, the weather was still really warm. Shorts are ideal, except so much of the trail has prickly bushes at leg and face height. I wore long pants, didn't get scratched but sweated like crazy. Other folks I ran into wore shorts, were more comfortable but scratched up. Take your pick.
The signs are mostly excellent. However, about 10% of the time, the signs are non-existent or covered up. I would advise downloading a .gpx file to a compatible watch or buying the recommended app on the official website page. Either way, a backup is a good idea in case you can't see the signs. The paper map is good for planning but not as useful while on the trail.
I carried 3.5 liters of water (2 x 1 liter bottles and 3 x 500ml bottles), but I only ever used 1 x 1 liter bottle because there were plenty of places to fill up (public water fountains). I would definitely not carry less than 2 liters of water.
Most of the time, the views were excellent. I did the hike in 4 days (sections 1&2, 3&4, 5-7, and 8), which was a lot. If I had more time, I might have split it up better, but it was still very doable this way. I booked accommodations ahead of time, but there are plenty of guesthouses in the area. Breakfast tends to be late (8a-9a), so I usually asked if I could have breakfast packed up the evening before so I could get on the trail earlier (7:30am).
Overall, a really good experience. I'm glad I did it!
翻译:总体而言,这是一次非常不错的体验,不过确实存在一些缺点,因此我在此详细叙述一下整个过程。
首先,在抵达希腊之前,我从梅纳隆步道官方办公室订购了一份地图。我通过欧洲银行系统付款(这对美国人来说不太常见,但能确保款项顺利到账)。然而,我既没收到地图,也没得到任何说明。后来我给办公室发邮件询问,对方回复说款项已收到,但由于新实施的关税政策,地图无法寄出。不过我可以亲自去那里取。我事先并不知道他们每天只在下午5点到7点之间营业;即便在这个时间段,主要负责人也通常在附近的餐馆里消磨时间。话虽如此,当我真的赶到办公室后,那位女士非常友善且乐于助人。她给我详细介绍了地图和路线,还告知了沿途哪些地方可以补充水分和食物,以及养狗的相关注意事项(其实这点倒没什么大问题)。所以说,事先的沟通不太理想,但到达之后我给五星评价。
总体来说这条徒步路线相当不错,不过有几点需要注意:它包含了各种类型的步道——单人小径、土路等等。铺好的道路等等。大约40%的步道上长满了带刺的灌木。这非常烦人,因为有时这些灌木会完全遮蔽小径,只剩下陡峭的悬崖或岩壁。因此,你不得不硬着头皮穿过这些灌木丛。这种体验很快就会让人厌烦。
9月初,天气依然相当炎热。穿短裤本是最理想的选择,但问题在于步道上到处都是高度与人的腿部和脸部相仿的带刺灌木。我穿了长裤,虽然没被划伤,但却热得汗流浃背。我遇到的其他人有的穿短裤,这样更舒服些,不过裤子也容易磨破。随你选择吧。
路标大多都很清晰。不过大约有10%的情况下,路标根本不存在或被遮住了。我建议把.gpx文件下载到兼容的手表里,或者在官网购买推荐的应用程序。不管哪种方式,准备个备用方案总没错,以防看不到路标。纸质地图虽适合用来规划路线,但在实际徒步时用处有限。
我带了3个。5升水(2瓶1升装和3瓶500毫升装),但实际上我只用了1瓶1升装的水,因为沿途有很多可以补水的地方(公共饮水机)。我绝对不会携带少于2升的水。
大部分时候,景色都非常不错。我用4天时间完成了徒步(分为1&2段、3&4段、5-7段以及第8段),行程相当密集。如果时间更充裕些,我或许会把行程安排得更合理一些,不过这样走也完全可行。我事先预订好了住宿。不过这一带有很多旅舍。早餐时间通常比较晚(早上8点到9点),所以我通常会提前一天晚上询问是否可以打包早餐,这样就能在早上7点半出发去徒步了。
总的来说,这是一次非常不错的体验。我很高兴自己去了!