Climbing in Arcadia/Repodina Crag – Arcadia, Greece

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing3 Comments

Greece has risen from obscurity to become one of Europe’s most beloved sport climbing destinations. When it comes to rock climbing, Greece is unique. Thanks to the temperate climate, you can be actively involved year-round in the sport. More importantly, the rugged landscape of the land offers a variety of options (examples are limestone, caves, and marble), and so many curious geological formations to explore on all fours.

This time we have visited the newly developed crag just 40 minutes far from Leonidio. The name of this crag Arcadia (or Repodina).

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Arcadia / Repodina Crag

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Climbing in Agios Andreas Crag – Arcadia, Greece

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing1 Comment

The past few years, there has been developed numerous new climbing areas such as: Agios Andreas, Agios Petros, Arcadia/Repodina and Voulomeni/Nestani. The most visited area for climbing activities is Leonidio, but certainly paying a visit to Agios Andreas was a great idea.

This new crag was developed near the village of Agios Andreas in Arcadia region, Peloponnese, Greece.

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Climbing Agios Andreas – The Crag

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Climbing in Ermionida, Argolis (Greece) Guidebook

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing7 Comments

Once upon a time, back in the 2000’s, a climbing revolution occurred in Ermionida, East Peloponnese. The British climber, Jim Titt, and the German Inge Zaczek went and equipped more than 200 routes on the area’s excellent limestone rocks, with stainless steel bolts. They spent a lot of their time, money and effort for the development of sport climbing in the area and we are thankful for it.

In 2021, the local climbing community, with the aid and support of the Municipality of Ermionida and Tripolis Mountaineering Club, carried out maintenance works on the various crags and replaced several anchors, with new high quality and certified material.

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Climbing in Ermionida Guidebook Cover Page

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Hiking in Kouiassa Waterfall and Kipinas Monastery

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking21 Comments

Wherever you are in Epirus, somewhere near you, there will be a “hidden” place that will surprise you with its beauty. One of them is the waterfall of Kouiassa in Tzoumerka and more specifically, five minutes before you reach the village of Kalarrites, after the metal bridge that crosses Kalarritikos river, you can park your car where there is and the sign that starts the path. The path from the main road to the waterfall is only 15 minutes. On your way you will find a watermill that works as a cafe next to the river. As soon as you reach the waterfall, the landscape will enchant you with its beauty, so it is a very good idea, if you are there in the summer, to take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the Kalarritikos river.

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View from Kalarrites

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Hiking in Gyftokambos and Sarakatsani huts – Zagori – North Pindos

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking4 Comments

After a short stay in the foothills of Strogoula, we decided to move northern and visit one of our favourite mountainous destinations of Greece, Tymfi. Though, about a month ago, we have been again in Tymfi, from the side of Konitsa, this time we decided to visit Gyftokambos and the famous Sarakatsani huts.

Prior of arriving in Gyftokambos, we have got the info that in the area there is a lovely location to stay overnight and we certainly did not loose our chances to visit the area.

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Free In Zagori

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Hiking to Balta di Stringa Waterfall – Iliochori – Zagori (Tymfi)

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking5 Comments

We are in the middle of the summer season in Greece, and this summer the temperatures are very high even for Greece. Having daily temperatures above 40 C, there are not many outdoor activities that we can enjoy, but we can certainly enjoy a lovely and easy hike to the breathtaking waterfall of Balta di Stringa.

Balta di Stringa is located just one kilometer  far from the village of Iliochori. There is a main watrfall followed by other two small waterfalls in a row. The main waterfall is over 25 meters high.
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Balta di Stringa main Waterfall

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Mount Tymfi (Pindos) North Side Thru-Hike Summary

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking14 Comments

Tymfi is a mountain in the northern Pindus mountain range, northwestern Greece. It is part of the regional unit of Ioannina and lies in the region of Zagori, just a few metres south of the 40° parallel. Tymfi forms a massif with its highest peak, Gamila, at 2,497 m (8,192 ft), being the sixth highest in Greece.

This is a short summary post with the highlights of the Thru-Hike of the northern side of mountain Tymfi. If you wish to see the individual posts which contain detailed information and more photos, you can click to the following links:

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Reflections of Astraka peak right on Xeroloutsa (waterpond) Tsoumani

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Hiking in Tzoumerka (Athamanika) – Pramanta Refuge – Kefalovriso Waterfall – Melissourgoi Refuge

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking10 Comments

There are a lot of mapped hiking routes at Tzoumerka, with special markings, both for advanced and beginners in hiking. A very easy hike is the one that starts from the Pramanta Mountain Refuge till Kefalovriso Waterfall. The waterfall of Kefalovriso, the highest of Greece (350 m.)

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Kefalovriso Waterfall

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Hiking in Tzoumerka (Athamanika) – Katarraktis Waterfalls – Katarraktis Refuge – Faneromeni

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking8 Comments

The official summer season is right in front of us, and in order to celebrate it, I decided to visit one of my favourite mountains of Greece, the Athamanika (or Tzoumerka).

The cycle of seasons at Tzoumerka (Athamanika) follows its own calm rhythms. Words such as awe and admiration are not enough to describe the splendor of the nature.

Here, time seems to hang still over the gorges, the vertical cliffs of the ravines and the snow-covered firs that climb the rocks up to the naked alpine zone. The abundant running water and impressive waterfalls justify the omnipresent dense flora and satisfy both the physical thirst as well as that of the sense of sight.

There are a lot of mapped hiking routes at Tzoumerka (Athamanika), with special markings, both for advanced and beginners in hiking.

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Kalenji Kiprun XT7 Trail running shoes Review

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn footwear, Gear Review2 Comments

For the past few years, for my training activities (trail running) and for my hiking trips, I have been using the Bushido by La Sportiva. Overall I was very satisfied from those shoes, but due to the fact more than one pair of Bushidos I used, got damaged in the same areas (toe cap), I have decided to check out a different pair for the future. Upon some research and my previous experience with the products of Decathlon, I have decided to buy the Kalenji Kiprun XT7 trail running shoes.

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Pair of Kalenji Kiprun XT7

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