Hiking in South Pindos – Lakmos Mountain Pt.01 | Anthochori – Tsoukarela Peak – Verliga Alpine Lake

It’s almost summer and it’s perfect time for Long Distance mountain crossing. This time, we have decided to visit one of the nicest mountainous areas of Greece and specifically, the area of south Pindos.

The Pindos (also Pindus or Pindhos) (Greek: Πίνδος) mountain range is located in northern Greece. It is roughly 160 km long, with a maximum elevation of 2,637m (Mount Smolikas). Because it runs along the border of Thessaly and Epirus, the Pindos range is known colloquially as the spine of Greece. The mountain range stretches from near the Greek-Albanian border in Northern Epirus, entering the Epirus and Macedonia regions in northern Greece down to the north of the Peloponnese. Geologically it is an extension of the Dinaric Alps, which dominate the western region of the Balkan Peninsula.

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9204 — Starting point – Anthochori village

Our goal was to cross the entire Lakmos mountain (or Peristeri mountain) by starting from Anthochori village, reaching the highest peak of Lakmos, staying overnight on Verliga which is one of the nicests alpine lakes and ending in Kallarites village.

Anthochori Village – Shepherd’s Mountain Refuge

Anthochori is a mountainous village in the prefecture of Ioannina. It is built at an altitude of 1,060 meters on the slopes of Lakmos (Peristeri) mountain. It belongs to the municipality of Metsovo and according to the 2011 census the permanent residents of the settlement are 244.

On the hill between Saint Apostles and Saint Charalambos there are ruins of the acropolis that King Pyrros had to control the borders of Epirus and Thessaly. The old name of the village was Derventista and means “passage“, it was built on the left bank of Arachthos where the road passed from Macedonia-Thessaly-Epirus.

The first part of the route, is crossing a beautiful pine forest with nice views towards the high peaks. The trail, although well maintained, in some parts is not very clear and the use of a map ore better of a GPS device might be very useful.

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9206 — Beautiful pine forest

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9207 — sun rise

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9208 — almost at the alpine level

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9213 — part of mount Lakmos

Lakmos is a mountain in eastern Ioannina and western Trikala regional units. The mountain is a part of the Pindus mountain range. Its highest peak is Tsoukarela, at 2,295 m elevation. It stretches from the village Krapsi in the west to near Metsovo in the east, over a length of about 20 km (12 mi). The nearest mountains are the Athamanika to the south, the Lygkos to the north and the Mitsikeli to the west. It is drained by the river Arachthos and its tributaries to the north, west and south, and by the Acheloos to the east.

The most important mountains in the range are Mount Grammos, Mount Smolikas, Mount Vasilitsa, Tymfi or Gamila, Lakmos or Peristeri, the Athamanika or Tzoumerka mountains, and the Agrafa mountains. Some mountains in Southern Greece are also considered part of the extended Pindus range. Its highest peak is on Mount Smolikas at an altitude of 2,637 meters.

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9220 — Hiking up

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9221 — Beautiful south ridge of Lakmos as seen from far

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9222 — alpine fields with beautiful flowers

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9224 — Beautiful south ridge of Lakmos

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9225 — South ridge of Lakmos

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9226 — Tsoukarela peak as seen from south

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9228 — Shepherds mountain hut with a spring of water

Shepherd’s Mountain Refuge – Tsoukarela Peak

About four (4) hours since the moment we have left Anthochori village, we have reached a mountain refuge that is used from local shepherds during summer time. This mountain refuge is just bellow the highest peak of mount Lakmos, Tsoukarela peak. On that point, we had a break for some fresh water that we could find there and some snacks.

After the short break, we have moved on for the final push, towards the conquest of mount Lakmos. Though, we came across a rather steep icy snow slope and there we lost relatively a lot of time in order to break the neve, place ropes and make sure that the entire team could cross this slope with safety.

Of course, such occasions, and if weather conditions are good can be a lot of fun too. Personally, I have enjoyed to break steps to this traverse and help securing people on a fixed rope.

As soon the entire team crossed the tricky traverse, it was about time for the final push and we have reached Tsoukarela peak, 2.295 m.

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9229 — Part of Tsoukarela

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9230 — Icy traverse

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9231 — Breaking steps into the snow

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9232 — Ice and Rock

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9234 — Lakmos ridge and Megas Trapos peak

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9236 — Megas Trapos as seen from Tsoukarela

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9235 — Tsoukarela peak

Tsoukarela Peak – Verliga Alpine Lake

We have been on the trail for about 6 hours and we have finally reached the highest peak of Lakmos mountain, Tsoukarela (2.295 m.). It has been a long but beautiful hike with breathtaking landscape and the view from Tsoukarela was stunning. Due to eventual thunderstorm that was approaching, we have decided to not stay long on the peak and instead to move on towards the final destination of that day, the alpine lake of Verliga.

The legendary mountainous lake Verliga in Lakmos mountain is in central Greece. Located in the Alpine zone, at an elevation of 2.050m, it is the third lake of the mountain range of Pindos, and it is the fountainhead of the great Acheloos (Aspropotamos) river. The whole area and the view from this location are really breathtaking.

From Tsoukarela towards the alpine lake of Verliga it was an easy downhill hike. This is perhaps one of the nicest alpine areas of Greece and perhaps of South Europe.

What makes this lake special is the 10 meanders (serpentine course) creeks that form descend from the main lake towards the Acheloos river. In addition, the lake is surrounded by various peaks, such as Tsoukarela, but most of all of the stunning peak of Megas Trapos.

Verliga was our final destination for the first day where we stayed overnight in tents.

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9237 — Alpine fields

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9238 — Hiking towards Verliga lake

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9239 — First view of Megas Trapos peak

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9240 — First view of Verliga area

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9241 — Verliga area

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9246 — Alpine lake and High Peak

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9248 — Alpine lake and High Peaks

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9245 — Beautiful reflections

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9251 — Meander (snake shape) creeks

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9260 — Our campsite

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9262 — View from above

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9270 — Lake and Tsoukarela peak

As soon we have reached Verliga, we have set up our tents and enjoyed this magical and mysterious place. There is a local myth that says that the dragon of this lake was a donkey that was invisible. Having the form of a snake, he jumped off Megas Trapos rock and was wandering for a while, when he found a hole and sank back into the land where the waters were disappeared. From the point where the dragon came out spilled water, following its serpentine course.

Nature and Wildlife

The Pindus ecoregion covers a wide range of elevations and habitats, from deep canyons to steep mountains. The wide range in altitude results in two major forest zones:

A conifer zone, with trees such as a subspecies of Austrian Pine and the endemic Greek fir, characterizes the highest elevations, with juniper woodlands dominating near the timberline.
A mixed broadleaf forest zone dominates the valleys and canyons of the middle and lower elevations.

Large breeding colonies of herons, spoonbills, egrets, and pelicans fish the cool waters of the mountain lakes of the Pindus Mountain Conifer and Broadleaf Mixed Forests ecoregion. This is one of the few areas in Europe where the rare Dalmatian pelican can be found. Wolves, jackals, and bears are found in the forests.

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9243 — Sierra Designs Lightning 2 tent in Verliga

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9242 — Sierra Designs Lightning 2 tent just under Megas Trapos peak

Gear & Equipment

For this trip, I was carrying the following main gear:

Details of the Hike:

Location: Lakmos (Peristeri) Mountain
Starting Point: Anthochori village
Ending Point: Kallarites village
Trail Signs: Partly signed path
Minimum Elevation: 1.060 m
Maximum Elevation: 2.295 m.
Total Distance: 22 km
Difficulty: Medium
When to Hike: Any time of the year (during winter time winter mountaineering gear is needed)
Water Features: three

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

Stay tuned for the second part of this amazing hike we have done in Lakmos (Peristeri) mountain. The second part will be published in the coming days, so make sure to come back or feel free subscribe as a follower of this blog.