Taygetus Mountain Autumn Ascent via Athanati Rachi

While we are approaching winter, we have decided to visit once again one of our favourite mountain ranges of Greece, Taygetus (Taygetos).

Taygetus, is a mountain range in the Peloponnese peninsula in Southern Greece. The highest mountain of the range is Mount Taygetus, also known as the “Profitis Ilias”, or “Prophet Elias”. The name is one of the oldest recorded in Europe, appearing in the Odyssey. In classical mythology, it was associated with the nymph Taygete. During Byzantine times and up until the 19th century, the mountain was also known as “Pentadaktylos” which means “five fingers” in Greek. The name was related to the 5 tops of the mountain range.

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2577 — Map of Taygetos found in Maganniari Springs

Check out previous ascent on Mount Taygetus (Taygetos) here:

The Taygetus (Taygetos) Massif is about 100 km (62 mi) long, extending from the center of the Peloponnese to Cape Matapan, its southernmost extremity. It contains the tallest mountain in the Peloponnese, the Profitis Ilias summit, reaching 2,407 m (7,887 ft); this is probably the classical Mount Taléton mentioned by Pausanias.The summit is an ultra prominent peak.

The mountain provides plenty of hiking routes which are well signposted and attract a lot of travellers during the summer period. At the winter the snow makes the climbing quite difficult and special equipment is necessary. One of the most rewarding experiences is reaching the top of the mountain with the chapel of Prophet Elias and the breathtaking view of Peloponnese.

Driving on the highway that leads to the city of Sparti (Sparta, the city of the 300), the view of the mountain is overwhelming. The most popular route in order to reach the Profitis Elias Peak starts from Maganiari spring and is an easy and safe route. The path to the top starts from Maganiari spring (980m altitude) and crosses the forest until the spring of Barbara and the EOS mountain shelter of Taygetos (1550m altitude). The route from Maganiari spring to the shelter lasts about 1,5hour. You will hike for about 2,5 hours from the EOS shelter until the ridge of Prophet Elias (2407m altitude). The total duration of the route from Maganiari to Prophet Elias is about 4,5 hours and 8,5km long. If you wish to overnight at the shelter of Taygetos you should make your arrangements in advance with the mountaineering club of Sparta (EOS Sparta).

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2578 — Beginning of the route – Direction to Taygetos Shelter

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2580 — Path is well signed and arranged

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2581 — While hiking there are several sign boards with relative indications

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2583 — Beautiful trail in the forest

About 45 minutes from Maganniari Spring, there is a trail junction. On that point, the European Trail E4 is in crossroad with the path that leads to the mountain shelter of Taygetos. The E4 European long distance path or E4 path is one of the European long-distance paths. Starting at its westernmost point in Portugal it continues through Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece to end in Cyprus.

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2585 — Sign that indicates the direction of the shelter and the E4 Long Distance Trail

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2586 — E4 Long Distance Trail

An hour from our starting point we came across the Barbara (or Varvara) spring. This is a spring that usually there is fresh water running, though, this year and due to the drought the spring was without water. Therefore, hikers and mountaineers should have enough water to last the entire hike. During winter time and spring time, this water fountain is almost sure to have fresh running water. Bellow a sign of the spring and the Barbara spring.

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2589 — Barbara (or Varvara) Spring sign

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2590 — Barbara (or Varvara) spring without water

After a short break in Barbara (or Varvara) spring, we moved ahead towards the Taygetos mountain shelter. There distance in terms of time between the spring the and shelter is about 10 minutes. Once we arrived on the mountain shelter we have arranged our campsite. Many hikers and climbers stay within the fully organised shelter, instead other ones prefer to stay in tents just around the shelter area.

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2593 — Directions

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2594 — Tail towards the mountain shelter

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2598 — Mountain Shelter of Taygetos Mountain

With overnight temperatures bellow freezing level, our sleeping gear for this trip was the following:

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2595 — Sierra Designs Lightning 2 tent

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2596 — Our campsite

Taygetos Mountain Shleter – Athanati Rachi – Profitis Elias Peak 2.407 m.

After a rather comfortable sleep, we woke up at 5.45 and we started our ascent around 6.30. We have had warm tea and homemade energy bars for breakfast. The sun was just rising and it was a beautiful feeling. It was beautiful to climb on the highest peak of Peloponnese while the sun was coming above the horizon.

For this ascent, we wanted to explore a more difficult and slightly more dangerous route. This route is via Athanati Rachi. Athanati Rachi is one of Pentadaktylos peaks and in order to reach it one has to climb a rather exposed rock face. The climb is considered 5th degree scrambling, but it is very exposed and therefore once should climb carefully.

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2599 — Directions towards the highest peak of Mount Taygetus (Taygetos)

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2601 — Moving on the rocks

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2602 — Early morning sunlight

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2603 — First view of Profitis Elias peak

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2605 — Path towards Athanati Rachi

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2609 — First snow of the season on Profitis Elias peak

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2611 — View of (part) Athanati Rachi

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2616 — Almost at the Sidirokastro col

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2617 — View of couloir just under Athanati Rachi

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2618 — Pentadaktylos View (part of)

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2619 — Climbing wall of Athanati Rachi

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2621 — First Snow of the season

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2622 — Frozen climbing wall

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2623 — Exposed frozen climbing wall

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2624 — On the ridge

Athanati Rachi – Profitis Elias Peak

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2627 — At the end of Athanati Rachi Ridge looking at Profitis Elias Peak

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2628 — First view of Taygetos Peak

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2630 — Snowdrift from the peak

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2631 — Looking bellow “Portes” (gates)

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2632 — First snow of the season

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2634 — Almost at the top

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2635 — First view of Profitis Elias chapel

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2636 — Mount Taygetos Peak, Profitis Elias 2.407 meters above sea level

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2637 — Chapel bell

We have reached the top of Mount Taygetos, Profitis Elias -via Athanati Rachi- in about 4 hours and 45 minutes. On the top we have had a warm shepherd’s tea and some snacks. The view from the top of Mount Taygetos is stunning. From the top we can see the Gulf of Messinia, Kalamata, Mount Parnonas and surrounding peaks such as “Chalasmeno” peak.

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2638 — View of Chalasmeno peak and Gulf of Messinia

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2639 — Nearby lower peak

Details of the climb:

Location: Taygetos
Starting Point: Maganniaris Spring
Ending Point: Profitis Elias Peak 2.407 m.
Minimum Elevation: 980 m
Maximum Elevation: 2.407 m.
Elevation Gain: 1.427 m.
Total Distance: 17.8 km
Difficulty: Difficult
Water Features: None during summer and early Autumn

Bellow you can see the route we have followed on a map and on 3D:

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_Map — Map of the climb

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_3D_01 — Entire route

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_3D_03 — Athanati Rachi and Profitis Elias Peak

Other Hiking routes on Mount Taygetus (Taygetos)

Except Prophet Elias there are even more hiking routes and locations on this mountain range which will astonish you with their wild beauty and will make you forget your everyday problems.

Mystras – Taygeti – Moni Faneromenis

This route starts from Mystras (320m altitude) and after 2,5 kilometers and 1 hour of hiking you will end up to Taygeti village (700m altitude). At the entrance of this village you will see a beautiful fountain. Here starts another path which, after two hours of walking, ends up to Moni Faneromenis where you will find the homonym monastery.
Anavriti settlement – Agios Ioannis (St. John) The Anavriti settlement is connected with a lot of hiking paths. One of the most beautiful routes is the stone path which ends up to Agios Ioannis after one hour of walking. This route is about 3,5km and passes through a gorge.

Koumousta – Moni Golas

Koumousta is a medieval village built at 750 meters altitude on the Taygetos Mountain. From this village you could start your beautiful hiking route of 3,5 kilometers which ends up to the monastery called Moni Golas. After about 1 ½ hour you will see the monastery which is one of the seven monasteries in Greece which host images of ancient Greek philosophers.

Koumousta – EOS shelter of Taygetos

From Koumousta there is another beautiful route which crosses the forest of Pentavlon (1200m altitude). During the route you will come across springs, waterfalls and lakes. Along the route you will find another path which leads to the mountain shelter of Taygetos.

Check out previous ascent on Mount Taygetus (Taygetos) here: