Author: Olympus Mountaineering

In Greece, curled up within the majestic mountains, lies a treasure trove of insights waiting to be discovered. From the art of winter mountaineering to the thrill of trekking, from the peacefulness of hiking to the challenges of rock and alpine climbing, there is a world of adventure waiting to be explored. My humble endeavor is to provide you with a glimpse into this world, to guide you through the rugged terrain and share my experiences with you. If you wish to join me on this quest, I welcome you with open arms. Simply send a message using the form below, and let us embark on this journey together.

Climbing in Nafplio

On July 2, 2018July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing18 Comments

Nafplio is located in a protected bay of the Argolic Gulf, just 1.5 hours by car from Athens. The crags of Nafplio are in fantastic seaside locations; for the most part, the cliffs are solid limestone featuring slightly overhanging red, yellow, and white rock. Nafplio itself is very lively, and its Old Town is a popular weekend destination teeming with quayside cafés, restaurants and hotels. Thanks to Nafplio’s location and layout, you can easily navigate it on foot, and go climbing, jogging or swimming within minutes. Lastly, Nafplio has a very mild climate, which makes it one of the best venues in Greece for winter climbing.

Climbing_Nafplio_Greece_9859 — View from Anatoli crag towards Karathona beach

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Climbing in Leonidio

On June 25, 2018July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing13 Comments

Leonidio (Greek: Λεωνίδιο) is a town and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality South Kynouria, of which it is a municipal unit. The town of Leonidio, with a population of 3.826, emerges from a spectacular landscape, bound by two abrupt mountainsides enclosing the town from the north and south.

The River Dafnon passes through the town, and its banks are linked with three bridges. The town is capital of the Tsakonia region, notable for its cultural and linguistic particularities, and the settlement itself offers striking and picturesque architecture; now a protected architectural site, there are very strict regulations for building within the town’s limits.

Climbing_Leonidio_Greece_9689 — Plaka beach – Leonidio

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Hiking in picturesque villages Kallarites and Syrrako

On June 18, 2018August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking7 Comments

The region of Pindos is an amazing place and full of pleasant surprises. Having been in this region several times, I have also decided to do a small hike between two beautiful picturesque villages, Kallarites and Syrrako.

This hike was done just few hours after the completion of the Lakmos mountain crossing and after a very peaceful night I have stayed on the Alpine lake of Verliga.

Kallarites_Syrakko_9311 — From Kallarites to Syrrako

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Verliga alpine lake – Wild camping on Greece’s secret paradise

On June 11, 2018August 28, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking15 Comments

The word paradise develops in Western languages from the Greek word paradeisos. In the western culture the concept of paradise developed in two related levels. The first was scriptural and thus a part of religious belief: paradise is either a place for life after death—often serving as a more tangible and concrete substitute for the vaguer term heaven —or the setting for a primal, idealized epoch in human history: the Garden of Eden.

The second way in which the concept developed was through the actual physical depiction or recreation of the religious image of paradise on earth, either in the form of actual gardens or through the use of certain types of garden imagery, and this is exactly what the alpine lake of Verliga is about.

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9251 — Approaching Verliga lake

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Hiking in South Pindos – Lakmos Mountain Pt.02 | Verliga Alpine Lake – Megas Trapos – Baros – Kallarites

On June 5, 2018September 22, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking6 Comments

The second day of Lakmos (Peristeri) mountain crossing started rather early. I woke up at 5:45 in order to prepare breakfast and break down the campsite. The early morning sky was beautiful and the water of the alpine lake Verliga peaceful. My breakfast was rather simple (oatmeal with dried fruits) but very enjoyable in such a magical landscape.

On the previous day, we have covered around 10 kilometres of distance and rather good elevation gain, instead the second day, we had to cover a distance of about 12 kilometres.

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9272 — Waking up in alpine lake Verliga

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

On May 30, 2018August 30, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking12 Comments

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

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Wild Country Rocks Nuts Review

On May 28, 2018August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review16 Comments

It’s spring time and the winter mountaineering activities already gave place to other kind of outdoor adventures such as Long Distance Hiking and Rock Climbing. In this post, I will review a protection product that is used both for Winter Mountaineering activities and for Climbing.

The Wild Country rock with its curved sides is a Wild Country original and revolutionised how we protect routes.

Still the backbone of any good rack, the current incarnation is considerably more advanced than its predecessor and significantly lighter as well. Keeping the original groundbreaking curve, rocks now come with thinner, lighter sidewalls, a lateral side taper, anodised heads for quick selection and an extended range – with fourteen sizes in all.

WildCountry_Rock_Nuts_Preview_5200 — Wild Country ROCKS 1-8

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The North Face Venture HyVent 2.5L Jacket Review

On May 23, 2018August 22, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Apparel Reviews, Gear Review10 Comments

The North Face Venture jacket for men has been around a fair while and is one of the most popular rain jackets. I’ve been using the TNF Venture jacket for some time now and bellow you will ready my thoughts on this jacket after more than 3 years of use.

The North Face Venture is a basic rain jacket model falling in and around the 100 euro/dollar price mark, it is affordable and functional and comes with most of the various features I would look for in a decent rain jacket.

TheNorthFace_Venture_Jacket_Review_03 — The North Face Venture Jacket side view

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Hiking and Crossing Lambia Mountains

On May 17, 2018August 23, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking4 Comments

Lambia Mountains or Lampia or Lampio (Greek: Λάμπεια όρη) are a branch and ridge of Erymanthos mountain, located in the Peloponnese, and are administratively owned by Ilia. Its highest peak is “Analipsi” at an altitude of 1,795 meters above sea level.

The name of this mountains come from the “shine of the snow” on the top of the mountain where the sunlight strikes it on its highest points. From Lambia Mountains, many tributaries of the Pineios spring . On the slopes of Lambia mountains there are various villages such as Divri (or Lambia), Kryovrisi, Kalyvia Kryovrisi, Tsipiana, Astras, Oreni, Amigdali, Kresova and Agia Kyriaki.

Lambia_Ori_Tsipiana_Analipsi_Dirvi_8154 — Starting Point Tsipiana Village

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KALENJI Trail Running Bag/Vest 10L Review

On May 14, 2018August 25, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Hiking Gear Review5 Comments

Steep approaches, weighty loads, and full days make climbing in the alpine a serious affair. Likewise, climbers with big alpine goals should take their training seriously. Training for various mountaineering activities is within my weekly schedule. Amongst other training activities, I often go for mountain/trail run. For such training activity, the gear one needs is minimum. A pair of short pants, a T-Shirt, a pair of trail runners and for long distanced a kind of hydration bag.

For training days up to 15k, I usually run without any hydration bag, but if I go for longer distances, especially in summer time, I prefer to have some water with me. In the past I have used various options, but I came to the conclusion that my preferred option is to carry a lightweight hydration bag/vest, and especially the Kalenji Trail Running Bag 10L.