Mount Olympus – Barbala’s Ridge

Our first adventure takes us to the iconic Mount Olympus, the legendary abode of the Greek gods. For this challenging ascent, we opted to follow the route starting from Refuge Krevatia, traversing Barbalas peak via Papa Rachi, and finally progressing along the alpine path towards Refuge Apostolidis. Spanning 8.6 kilometers, this North Face Ridge route entails an elevation gain of 1,700 meters. However, it’s important to note that this route involves some minor climbing and is not recommended for beginners.

We embarked on our journey at 6:30 in the morning, commencing our trek while the sky was still adorned with twinkling stars. Equipped with headlamps, we made our way at a steady pace towards our first objective, Barbalas peak, standing at 1,842 meters. The trail was well-marked and devoid of vegetation, creating an enjoyable morning hike. From Barbalas peak, we were fortunate to witness a breathtaking sunrise.

After reaching Barbalas, we took a brief pause to replenish ourselves with snacks and refreshments. From this vantage point, we admired the awe-inspiring vistas of Olympus mountain, including Stefani and Profits Ilias. Although the view was captivating, we pressed on swiftly towards Papa Rachi. While not excessively steep, the trail to Papa Rachi was equally picturesque.

The most enchanting segment of this route was the final 2.6 kilometers, characterized by an alpine environment. We encountered a rocky terrain interspersed with sections of scrambling and occasional exposure. This alpine stretch added an exhilarating element to our adventure, rewarding us with awe-inspiring views along the way.

Mount Tymfi (Pindos) North Side Thru-Hike

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.

The mountain is surrounded by various massifs that also form part of the northern Pindus mountain range. Northeast of Tymfi lies the highest mountain of Pindus, Smolikas. The mountain of Trapezitsa lies to the north, Lygkos to the east and Mitsikeli to the south. The Aoos river flows to the north and its tributary Voidomatis to the southwest. Vikos Gorge is formed by the latter to the southwestern side of the mountain. The length of the mountain is approximately 20 to 25 km with a direction from east to west and its width is approximately 15 km from north to south. The southern and southeastern slopes of the mountain are comparatively smooth. The north side, however, forms cliffs reaching 400 m (1,312 ft), whereas the western side is equally steep since the mountain is fragmented by Vikos Gorge.

Verliga Alpine Lake

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.

Erymanthos Mountain: From Micha to Alepochori via Olenos peak

Next, we venture to Erymanthos Mountain, a lesser-known gem in the Greek landscape. A captivating account of a spring ascent, where wildflowers bloom, birds sing, and the air is filled with the freshness of nature.

Erymanthos, a mountain range situated in the southern part of Achaea and the northeastern part of Elis, boasts an impressive elevation of 2,224 meters, making it the fourth-tallest mountain in the Peloponnese peninsula. Historically, Mount Erymanthos was part of northwestern Arcadia, where it stood as the second-tallest range, with the northern portion belonging to the historic Achaea. Our adventure began in the village of “Micha,” where we spent the first night, and early the next morning, we commenced our ascent from Micha at an altitude of 917 meters.

Initially, the route led us downhill to an elevation of 720 meters before the true ascent began. The trail was well-defined, marked with identification signs at critical points. As we traversed picturesque green fields and serene pine forests, the morning atmosphere added a touch of magic to our journey. At an altitude of 1,050 meters, we took our first break in a charming shepherd’s hut typically used during the summer months. 

Reaching the summit, we paused briefly to enjoy snacks, water, and, of course, capture the obligatory photos. The panoramic view from the top revealed stunning neighboring peaks, including Aroania (Chelmos), Ziria, Parnonas, Panachaiko, and even the distant mountains of Giona and Vardousia.

Our descent towards Alepochori treated us to breathtaking landscapes, towering peaks above us, a river crossing, and an invigorating plunge beneath a waterfall. All these remarkable experiences unfolded within the encompassing beauty of the Erymanthos mountain range.

Voutsikaki & Agrafa Mountains: Through Hike Adventure

Welcome to the captivating world of the Voutsikaki & Agrafa Mountains, where our thrilling through-hike awaits. This remote and mesmerizing mountainous region, nestled in mainland Greece’s Evrytania and Karditsa regions, is a hidden gem characterized by charming villages and breathtaking natural beauty. Agrafa, the southernmost part of the renowned Pindus range, holds a rich historical legacy as a symbol of resilience and independence during the 400-year Ottoman Turkish occupation.

Our exhilarating adventure begins at the enchanting Karamanoli Ski Centre. With the sun on our backs, we embark on a steep ascent, pushing ourselves to reach an impressive altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level. From there, the journey unfolds, leading us along a steady elevation between 1,500 and 1,700 meters. As we venture through the idyllic peak of Voutsikaki, we are greeted by panoramic vistas and an overwhelming sense of tranquility.

Descending towards the charming village of Kerasia, we find ourselves immersed in a kaleidoscope of natural wonders. The trail winds through diverse landscapes, guiding us through lush forests teeming with wildlife, inviting springs of crystal-clear water, and cascading waterfalls that add a touch of magic to our journey.

Taygetus Mountain: Crossing Pentadaktylos to Profitis Elias

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 peaks of the mountain range.

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, but perhaps the most exciting adventure on this mountain is to do the “Pentadaktylos” (five fingers) crossing. This is the route we have selected to hike this time. Our starting point was the picturesque village of Anavriti which is located at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level.

Hiking on Mount Mainalo: Tzelati Peak

The Mainalo mountain range is one of the largest and most famous mountain ranges in Greece. Located at the center of the Peloponnese in the jurisdiction of Arkadia, it hosts 50 peaks over 1500m. Even so it has a small highest elevation, that being Ostrakina or Profitis Ilias at 1981m, it has a very high average elevation that being around 1100m. The range, has two distinct sub ranges the East and West. The east boasts some alpine and has the highest elevations whilst the west is purely under the treeline.

The route we have decided to do was an almost 17 kilometres hike that would start and end at the same point, which was the EOS Tripolis refuge. Though, these 17 kilometres hike would pass from different peaks of Mainalo, with the ultimate goal to reach the Tzelati peak, 1.868 meters above sea level.

Tzelati, is the second highest distinct summit and is located west of Ostrakina peak. The two main hiking starting points are the Ostrakina Plateau (home of the EOS Tripolis Refuge and ski resort) and the village of Roino.