WRC
Stage Guide - EKO Acropolis Rally Greece
Known as the ‘Rally of Gods’, Greece’s round of the WRC is one of the season’s most demanding events. Here are the stages on the itinerary this week.
01
SS1 EKO Athens SSS (1.50km)
Rallying returns to the heart of Athens in 2025 as the EKO Acropolis Rally kicks off with a spectacular city-centre super special stage. Following the ceremonial start in front of the historic Panathenaic Stadium – birthplace of the modern Olympic Games – crews will tackle a 2km blast through the capital’s streets. The stage sends cars flying down Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue before diving into Zappeion Square via Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, bringing WRC machinery into a dramatic urban setting.
02
SS2/4 Aghii Theodori (26.76km)
A compact but technical test to kick off Friday’s action. The stage begins on gravel near the Kiafa Beka junction before switching to tarmac after 7km – a rare surface change that could catch crews off guard. Just over a kilometre later, it rejoins a familiar section past the chapel of Panagia of Prathi, before narrowing dramatically into a steep 3.6km descent. The final stretch is classic Acropolis: rough, raw, and riverbed-based. Crews will splash through and along the river for the last 6km before finishing at Kato Harvati. Expect big variations in grip and rhythm throughout.
03
SS3 Loutraki (12.90km)
This short but intense test climbs immediately from the start in Pisia, winding uphill for 3.3km past the Panagia Faneromeni church. From there, the rhythm shifts dramatically with a rapid 4.3km downhill blast before crews are thrown into a steep, technical descent to the finish near Ano Charvati. Tight corners, changing gradients and limited visibility make this a real driver’s stage, despite its modest length.
04
SS5 Thiva (19.58km)
A returning favourite with a fresh twist, Thiva 2025 blends classic sections from previous years into one flowing 19.58km challenge. It’s a stage of contrasts: big jumps and soft surfaces meet tight, technical stretches that demand precision. Fast, flowing sections reward confidence and clean lines, while hidden ruts and rhythm changes keep crews on their toes. A proper Acropolis test that’s both familiar and full of bite.
05
SS6 Stiri (24.18km)
Stiri is a standout stage that begins near Distomo - and the opening section is one of the rally’s most spectacular. The first 9km climb rapidly on wide roads with sweeping corners and third-gear hairpins – a fast, flowing section built for big commitment. Things tighten up as the stage enters the forest, before a rugged downhill run through quarry terrain leads to the finish high on the Elikonas plateau. A full-scope challenge with rhythm changes and visual drama throughout.
06
SS7 Elatia (11.58km)
A compact classic with iconic moments packed into its 11.58km length. This is the Elatia–Rengini layout last used in 2022, beginning just before the archaeological site above Elatia village. The stage climbs through a series of hairpins before opening into a fast, flowing descent past the local motocross track. At 6.86km, crews blast through the famous Elatia water splash – a crowd favourite – before navigating more hairpins downhill to the finish beside the village church. Short, but far from simple.
07
SS8/11 Pavliani (24.58km)
A true Acropolis classic, running in its familiar direction. Pavliani opens with a fast 7km stretch on hard-packed gravel leading to the historic Pyra of Heracles. Speeds ramp up again in the Katavothra area – a fan-favourite camping zone where large sections of the stage are visible. But it’s the final part that really bites: a relentless, narrow forest section packed with continuous corners, offering the most technical driving of the rally. The stage finishes just above Mavrolithari.
08
SS9/12 Karoutes (19.48km)
A true Acropolis classic with roots in the 1970s and '80s, Karoutes delivers history and spectacle in equal measure. It kicks off on tarmac through the village itself before climbing into the forest and entering a demanding technical section. After around 4km, the route joins the old Karoutes road and drops into one of the most scenic descents in the WRC calendar. The stage finishes on tarmac near Amfissa.
09
SS10/13 Inohori (17.66km)
Inohori packs variety into its 17.66km route, starting with a flowing uphill climb on smooth gravel. A 2.8km stretch through dramatic quarry terrain follows – a dream for spectators, with wide views and great camping spots. The stage then narrows into a forest section, merging briefly with tarmac before returning to gravel for the final run to the finish near Kato Pavliani. A stage of shifting surfaces and scenery, with pace changes that keep crews alert.
10
SS14/16 Smokovo (26.16km)
After three decades away, the Acropolis returns to Thessaly with a brand-new test around the mountain roads near Lake Smokovo. At 26.16km, it’s the second-longest stage of the rally and one of the most technical. Crews face significant elevation changes, two water crossings, and a constantly evolving surface. Fast in places but unforgiving throughout, Smokovo promises to be a decisive challenge on Sunday morning.
11
SS15/17 Tarzan (23.37km)
A legendary name with a punishing profile, Tarzan returns as the rally’s Wolf Power Stage. It begins with a brutal 10km downhill on rough forest roads before easing into 4km of smoother gravel. But the sting is in the tail: the famous Tarzan cobblestones between Rovoliari and Rentina can shake cars to their core, testing dampers and tyres alike. The stage ends just shy of Palaia Giannitsou, wrapping up the Acropolis in fittingly unforgiving fashion.
