Greek rack railway

The Odontotos rack railway, connecting the seaside town of Diakopto to the mountain village of Kalavryta in Greece’s northern Peloponnese, is a rare example of a rack-and-pinion railway, whose engines complete steep climbs by using a gear and a track with teeth. It also operates with one of the smallest gauges in the world, only 75cm (about 2½ feet).

On the 22-kilometer route, with a maximum gradient of 17.5%, the train climbs 750 meters in a little more than an hour, going through tunnels and passing scenic mountains and waterfalls.

The Odontotos runs three times daily, at 9:05 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2:05 p.m, with 12:49 and 3:30 p.m. runs added on weekends. A round-trip ticket costs €19 (near $21) and a one-way, €9.50. Many take the train to the top and then hike back to Diakopto, about a 4-hour walk.

For info, visit www.odontotos.com/index-en.htm or call +30 2691 043206.