Pelion Railway: Riding the Moutzouris Train from Ano Lechonia to Milies

The Pelion Railway is one of the most distinctive ways to experience Mount Pelion. The tiny Moutzouris train travels from Ano Lechonia to Milies on a historic 60-centimetre narrow-gauge line, climbing gradually from the lower slopes towards one of western Pelion’s most interesting mountain villages.

The journey is short in distance but deliberately slow. The route covers approximately 15 kilometres and takes around 90 minutes, passing through vegetation, over historic bridges and along sections where views open towards the Pagasetic Gulf.

This is not a practical commuter train or the fastest way to reach Milies. The railway is an attraction in its own right, and the current timetable means a return journey occupies most of the day.

This guide explains what the Moutzouris train ride is actually like, the 2026 timetable, how long you have in Milies, where to board, what to see along the route and whether the Pelion Railway is worth including in your trip.

What Is the Pelion Railway?

The Pelion Railway is a historic narrow-gauge railway built during the period when Volos and Pelion were developing rapidly as commercial and transport centres.

Work began in 1892, and the line eventually reached Milies in 1903. Engineer Evaristo de Chirico, father of artist Giorgio de Chirico, supervised its construction. The railway became particularly important at a time when Pelion’s road network was extremely limited.

The railway eventually stopped operating in 1971. Tourist services were revived in 1996, preserving the most scenic Ano Lechonia–Milies section as the experience visitors know today.

The line’s most remarkable technical feature is its gauge: just 60 centimetres between the rails. That unusually narrow track allows the train to negotiate Pelion’s difficult terrain and gives the railway its unmistakably small scale.

Why Is It Called Moutzouris?

The little train is commonly known as Moutzouris, a name associated with the soot and black smoke produced during the railway’s steam era.

That nickname remains attached to the railway even though travellers today should think of Moutzouris primarily as a heritage train experience rather than expect a historic steam locomotive on every journey.

What has survived is the character of the railway itself: tiny carriages, an exceptionally narrow track and a route engineered through terrain that would have been difficult to cross when the line was built.

The train is therefore interesting even if you are not particularly enthusiastic about railways. It provides a slow journey through a part of Pelion that looks quite different when viewed from the track rather than from the mountain roads.

Pelion Railway Route: Ano Lechonia to Milies

The current tourist railway starts at Ano Lechonia, on the western side of Pelion, and terminates at Milies.

The route is approximately 15 kilometres long and takes about 90 minutes. It climbs through the Pelion landscape at an intentionally slow pace, crossing historic railway structures and moving between olive-growing lower slopes and greener mountain terrain.

The scheduled journey includes a stop at Ano Gatzea. Under the current timetable, the train reaches Gatzea at 10:35, leaves at 10:50 and arrives at Milies at 11:35.

The railway does not follow the same experience as driving to Milies. Its appeal lies precisely in travelling slowly across bridges, cuttings and wooded slopes that you would otherwise pass at a distance or not see at all.

Ano Lechonia Station

Ano Lechonia is the starting point for the current tourist service and is considerably closer to Volos than Milies.

This is where you should arrive if you intend to ride the complete return excursion. Do not confuse Ano Lechonia with Volos railway station: the tourist train does not begin in central Volos.

Hellenic Train describes parking at Ano Lechonia as limited, so arriving with time to spare is sensible, particularly on busy weekends and holiday periods.

The station itself is part of the atmosphere. The narrow track and small-scale railway equipment immediately make clear that this is very different from Greece’s conventional rail network.

If you are driving from elsewhere in Pelion, allow extra time. Mountain-road journey times can be unpredictable, and missing a 10:00 departure can effectively mean losing the excursion for that day.

The Stop at Ano Gatzea

Ano Gatzea is the intermediate stop on the journey.

The current schedule allows approximately 15 minutes here: the outbound train is listed to arrive at 10:35 and depart at 10:50. On the return journey, it arrives at 15:40 and leaves at 15:55.

Think of this as a short railway stop rather than an opportunity to explore the wider village. Fifteen minutes disappears quickly, so remain aware of the departure time.

The stop is nevertheless useful because it breaks up the journey and gives passengers a chance to step off before the train continues its climb towards Milies.

What You See Along the Moutzouris Train Route

The scenery changes noticeably as the train climbs from Ano Lechonia towards Milies.

The line crosses wooded slopes and passes through vegetation that can feel surprisingly close to the carriages. In places, views extend towards the Pagasetic Gulf; elsewhere, the railway disappears into greener, more enclosed sections of the mountain.

The engineering is as important as the scenery. Visit Greece highlights the five-arched stone bridge at Kalorrema and the steel Taxiarchis Bridge, better known as the De Chirico Bridge, among the notable structures along the route.

Do not expect uninterrupted panoramic views for the entire 90 minutes. Parts of the journey are enclosed by vegetation, and that is part of the route’s character.

The strongest moments come from the combination of forest, glimpses of the gulf and the railway infrastructure itself rather than from a single continuous viewpoint.

The De Chirico Bridge

The De Chirico Bridge is one of the railway’s most recognisable engineering features.

Also known as the Taxiarchis Bridge, the steel structure appears shortly before Milies and is particularly unusual because the railway curves across the bridge itself.

Its association with Evaristo de Chirico also links the structure directly to the broader history of the Pelion Railway. His son, Giorgio de Chirico, would later become one of the most influential artists associated with the Metaphysical art movement.

From inside the train, you experience the bridge as part of the journey rather than from the classic external viewpoint often seen in photographs. Keep your camera ready as you approach Milies, but remember that the scenery can appear quickly and the train will not necessarily pause at every engineering landmark.

Arriving in Milies

The train currently arrives in Milies at 11:35, but the railway station is not in the village’s main square.

Milies is built on a hillside, and the station lies below its historic centre. A traditional cobbled path climbs from the station towards the village, turning the walk into a natural continuation of the railway journey.

For most reasonably mobile visitors, allow roughly 15–20 minutes for the uphill walk. The gradient and uneven stone surface can make it slower for young children, anyone with reduced mobility or travellers unused to steep village paths.

Do make the climb if you can. Remaining around the railway station for the entire stop would mean missing much of what makes Milies worth visiting.

Our complete Milies, Pelion guide covers the village sights, walking, parking and practical planning in more detail.

What to Do During the Stop in Milies

With the current timetable, passengers have approximately three hours and 25 minutes between the scheduled 11:35 arrival and 15:00 return departure.

That is enough time to walk up to the centre, explore the village and have lunch or coffee without rushing excessively.

The Church of the Taxiarches is the principal historic sight around the square. Milies is also known for its historic library and local museum, although opening arrangements should always be checked if either is particularly important to you.

Spend some time walking beyond the square as well. Traditional houses, old lanes and the cobbled paths between different parts of the village are an important part of Milies’ appeal.

Keep an eye on the time. You still need to descend to the station, and it is much better to arrive early than to discover that your leisurely lunch has put the return train at risk.

Pelion Train Timetable for 2026

As of 28 September 2026, Hellenic Train publishes regular Saturday and Sunday services between Ano Lechonia and Milies.

• Ano Lechonia departure: 10:00
• Ano Gatzea: arrive 10:35, depart 10:50
• Milies arrival: 11:35
• Milies return departure: 15:00
• Ano Gatzea: arrive 15:40, depart 15:55
• Ano Lechonia arrival: 16:30

Hellenic Train has also added selected extra services during 2026. Its current information specifically lists additional September departures, illustrating why travellers should not assume the operating pattern remains identical throughout the year.

Always check the current official timetable before travelling to Ano Lechonia, particularly outside the main visitor season.

How to Buy Pelion Train Tickets

Hellenic Train is the official operator and provides current timetable and ticket-booking information for the Pelion Train.

Because the service operates on limited days rather than as a frequent daily railway, booking ahead is sensible if the train is an important part of your Pelion itinerary.

Do not rely on an old blog post for fares or operating dates. Prices and additional departures can change, and Hellenic Train is the appropriate source to check immediately before booking.

For current tickets, schedules and service announcements, use the official Hellenic Train Pelion Train page.

How Much Time Should You Allow?

Treat the Pelion Railway as a full-day or substantial day-trip activity.

Under the current weekend timetable, you leave Ano Lechonia at 10:00 and return at 16:30. Add time for arriving before departure and travelling to and from Ano Lechonia, and the excursion occupies most of the useful sightseeing day.

This matters when planning Pelion because mountain driving is slower than distances suggest. Trying to add Tsagarada, Makrinitsa or several other major villages after returning at 16:30 creates an unnecessarily rushed itinerary.

A better approach is to make the railway and Milies the main experiences of the day. If you still have daylight and energy afterwards, combine them with somewhere nearby on the western side rather than crossing the mountain.

Our three days in Pelion itinerary shows how to group western Pelion logically without excessive driving.

Is the Pelion Railway Worth It?

Yes, for the right traveller — but it should be chosen for the experience rather than because it is the easiest way to see Milies.

The Moutzouris is particularly worthwhile for railway enthusiasts, families, photographers and travellers who enjoy slow journeys. The historic infrastructure and tiny 60-centimetre gauge make it genuinely different from an ordinary scenic train.

It is less essential if you have very limited time in Pelion. Driving to Milies gives you greater flexibility and leaves more of the day available for Vyzitsa, Pinakates or the Pagasetic coast.

The key decision is therefore not whether Milies itself is worth visiting. It is whether you want the journey to Milies to become one of the main experiences of your day.

If you have three or more days in Pelion and the timetable fits your dates, the train is much easier to justify than on a rushed one- or two-day visit.

Pelion Train with Children

The Moutzouris is one of Pelion’s easiest major attractions to recommend to families, particularly children interested in trains.

The journey itself provides enough movement and changing scenery to feel more like an excursion than a conventional transfer. The 15-minute stop at Ano Gatzea also breaks up the outward journey.

The more important consideration comes after arrival. Reaching central Milies involves an uphill walk on cobbled surfaces, so a lightweight child carrier can be more practical than a pushchair for very young children.

Bring water, snacks and sun protection in warmer months, even if you plan to eat in Milies. With several hours between the outward and return journeys, the excursion is longer than the 90-minute train ride may initially suggest.

Children should also be supervised carefully around stations, tracks, bridges and railway infrastructure.

Accessibility and Mobility

Travellers with reduced mobility should investigate their specific requirements with Hellenic Train before booking rather than assuming a heritage railway offers the same accessibility as a modern mainline service.

The larger practical issue is Milies itself. The railway station sits below the historic centre, and the traditional walking route into the village involves an uneven cobbled surface and a noticeable uphill gradient.

Anyone who cannot comfortably manage that climb may still enjoy the railway journey, but should plan the Milies stop differently and check whether suitable local road transport can be arranged.

If accessibility is essential to your trip, contact the operator before purchasing tickets and confirm both boarding arrangements and what assistance is available at the stations.

Best Time to Ride the Moutzouris Train

The best season depends partly on the operating timetable, because the train does not function like an everyday regional service.

Spring suits the route particularly well when Pelion is green and temperatures are comfortable for exploring Milies on foot. Early autumn is another strong period, especially if you want to combine the railway with village sightseeing rather than beach time.

Summer provides longer daylight and works well for families, but weekend services can naturally attract more visitors during the main holiday period.

Weather can also affect how you experience the day. Much of the attraction lies in the landscape and the walk around Milies, so poor conditions change more than just the view from the carriage.

For a wider seasonal comparison, see our guide to the best time to visit Pelion.

What to Combine with the Pelion Railway

Milies should be the priority rather than merely the place where the train turns around. Use the scheduled stop to see the village centre and enjoy lunch or coffee.

If you are travelling by car and want another stop after returning to Ano Lechonia, keep it geographically sensible. Vyzitsa and Pinakates fit naturally into western Pelion, although the 16:30 scheduled return means available daylight becomes important outside summer.

The Pagasetic coast around Kala Nera is another logical option, particularly in summer.

Avoid using the train day to chase famous villages on the opposite side of the mountain. Pelion looks compact on a map, but its winding roads make repeated crossings inefficient.

If you are deciding how to divide the peninsula, our East vs West Pelion guide explains the practical differences between the two sides.

Common Mistakes When Planning the Pelion Train

The first mistake is assuming the train departs from Volos. The current tourist journey begins at Ano Lechonia.

The second is treating the published 90-minute journey as the total time commitment. If you take the return service, the current schedule keeps you on the excursion from 10:00 until 16:30.

Another mistake is reaching Milies but never walking beyond the station. The village centre is uphill, but its church, library area, square and traditional streets are an important part of the day.

Do not assume that a timetable found months earlier will still apply. Hellenic Train has operated additional dates during 2026, and seasonal arrangements can change.

Finally, avoid overloading the rest of the day. The railway works best when you accept its slow pace rather than trying to compensate for it with rushed sightseeing afterwards.

Pelion Railway: Final Thoughts

The Pelion Railway is not simply a novel way to get from Ano Lechonia to Milies. Its narrow track, historic bridges and deliberately slow journey preserve a form of travel that once mattered enormously to communities living on the mountain.

For travellers with enough time, the Moutzouris makes an excellent Pelion day: ride through the western slopes in the morning, walk up into Milies, explore the village and return slowly to Ano Lechonia in the afternoon.

If your itinerary is very short, driving to Milies is more efficient. But if the journey itself matters as much as the destination, this is one of Pelion’s most distinctive experiences.

Check the current Hellenic Train timetable before setting out, book ahead when appropriate and give the excursion the time it deserves rather than squeezing it between unrelated stops.