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 Franchthi Caves – Ermionida, Argolis

On September 23, 2018November 23, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing16 Comments

Although now it’s officially autumn, the weather in Greece is still rather hot and therefore we took the opportunity to go an climb to one of the most interesting climbing crags in Greece, in Franchthi.

Franchthi cave or Frankhthi cave (Greek: Σπήλαιον Φράγχθη) is a cave overlooking the Argolic Gulf opposite the village of Koilada in southeastern Argolis, Greece. The cave was occupied from the Upper Paleolithic circa 38,000 BCE (and possibly earlier through the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, with occasional short episodes of apparent abandonment. Last occupied around 3,000 BCE (Final Neolithic), it is one of the very few settlements in the world that shows nearly continuous human occupation for such an extended period of time, and is one of the most thoroughly studied sites from the stone age in southeastern Europe.

Climbing_Argolis_Fragchti_Caves_1437 — Prehistoric cave of Franchthi sign

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Taygetus Mountain E4 path – Taygetus Mountain Refuge – Anavriti

On September 17, 2018August 30, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking1 Comment

Once again, in one of the most mythical mountains of Greece, Mount Taygetus (Taygetos). The slopes of Taygetus have been inhabited since at least Mycenean times. The site of Arkina, near the village of Arna, contains three beehive tombs and is still unexplored. Taygetus was important as one of Sparta’s natural defenses. The Spartans threw criminals and “unfit” (weak, sickly, deformed, or mentally retarded) infants into a chasm of Taygetus known as Ceadas.

Taygetos_Taygetus_Mountain_Autumn_Ascent_2598 — ESO Spartis Mountain Refuge

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Taygetus Mountain Crossing Pentadaktylos (Five Fingers) – Anavriti – Tsarkos – Spanakaki – Sidirokastro – Athanati Rachi – Profitis Elias – EOS Refuge

On September 10, 2018August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking, Mountaineering general7 Comments

It has been quite some time since the last update on Olympus Mountaineering blog. This summer was rather busy and rather hot, so the high peaks had to wait for the beginning of the Autumn. As first mountaineering adventure for this new season was -once again- selected the beautiful mountain of Taygetos (or Taygetus).

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.

Taygetos_Pentadaktylos_Anavriti_Crossing_1219 — Starting point Anavriti Village

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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.