Hiking in Mikro Panta Vrechi gorge – Evrytania (family friendly)

On August 31, 2022August 25, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking5 Comments

There are several areas in Greece that I always want to dedicate more time exploring them, but for one or the other reason, I do not visit them that often. This is the region of Evrytania. Evrytania boasts to be the Alpine Greece. The well wooded mountain of Tymfristos and the high altitude has formed a unique and rare unspoiled beauty of dense fir forests and traditionally built little villages. The mountainous region of Evrytania has a wide range villages around the city of Karpenisi and it is rather popular as a winter destination as it has a ski centre on Mount Tymfristos and offers numerous outdoor activities like rafting in Karpenissiotis River and horse back riding in the forests.

Mikro_Pantavrechi_Hiking_100253_357 — View of the gorge

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Fantastic 4 V+ UIAA 200 m. – Trad Climbing in Kantili – Mt. Pateras – Attica

On June 19, 2022June 20, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering generalLeave a comment

It has been almost two years ago since my last visit in the area of Mt. Pateras and specifically in Kantili location. During my previous visit, I had climbed the Horned Owl ridge but while climbing that ridge it struck my attention a rock formation which is located in the opposite from the main peak of Kantili.

After some research, I had noticed that there were a couple of routes and together with a climbing buddy, we decided to pay a visit to the area and give a try to a route named Fantastic 4.

Pateras is a mountain of West Attica, Greece, with an elevation of 1,131 meters. Its highest peak is named Leontari. It is situated between the plain of Eleusis and the plain of Megara, and stretches between the Gulf of Corinth at Aigosthena and the Saronic Gulf near Eleusis.

It is separated from its northern neighbour Cithaeron by the plain of Vilia. The mountain is covered with woods with Aleppo pine and Mediterranean maquis. In the tops of the mountain, that belong to a CORINE biotope, there are firs, of species Abies cephalonica.

Fantastic_4_Kantili_Trad_Climbing_160745_989 — First view of the rock and the route

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Dirty Friday IV+ UIAA 95 m. | Trad Climbing at the top of Profitis Elias – Asini

On June 4, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general4 Comments

It has been almost 2 years since my last visit in the area of Asini and specifically to the Profitis Elias rock.

The Profitis Elias rock stands upwards in the beautiful scenery of Asini is called Profitis Elias. The little chapel that is build on top is dedicated to Prophet Elias, and thus the name of the hill.

The view at the top is panorama (360º) and you can get a pretty good idea of the surrounding area and its morphology. It is on the way to the coast of Tolo, if you are coming from Nafplio. There is a road that takes you from the village of Ag. Paraskevi to the lower parts of the hill. From there it is a 15-20 minutes walk uphill, following the path designated by white crosses, that will take you to the top.

Dirty_Friday_Trad_Climbing_Profitis_Elias_Asini_03 — View of Profitis Elias Rock

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Hiking, Scrambling and Climbing the Flabouri Ridge – Parnitha

On May 25, 2020July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general5 Comments

Our previous post was dedicated to the first outdoor activity post covid-19 lockdown and this post is dedicated to the second excursion in one of the most visited mountains of Greece, mount Parnitha.

For training purposes, the route we have selected was of mixed difficulty which offered hiking, scrambling and even IV UIAA climbing, the Flabouri Ridge route.

Parnitha_Flabouri_Ridge_Kopsi_204153_671 — View of the Flabouri Ridge and the city of Athens

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Climbing in Meteora – Pillar of Rain – Doupiani Rock

On November 4, 2019July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering general3 Comments

In the past couple of days we have climbed twi different routes in Doupiani and we thought it would be great to climb a third one. Our first experience with Doupiani was really positive, and due to the fact the second route was rather demanding, we decided to go for an easier third route, the Pillar of Rain.

Doupiani Rock is for sure one of the most attended rock climbing destination of the Meteora (Μετέωρα) area, whose meaning is literally “hanging in the air“, a charming and suggestive climbing site located in the Thessaly region of Greece.

Meteora includes about 170 conglomerate summits of various shapes and types, as massive mountains, rocky pinnacles, minor peaks and spires, some of which are truly amazing and bizarre. The range overlooks the village of Kastràki and the town of Kalabàka and features about 850 multi-pitch and single pitch routes. Due to their singularity and a bit of mistery surrounding the place, in addition to the presence of various monasteries, the towers of Meteora are quite famous all over the world.

Climbing_Meteora_Doupiani_Rock_091700_006 — Pillar of Rain V+ Starting point

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Climbing in Meteora – Sudostwand Doupiani – Southeast Wall – Plaka

On October 27, 2019July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Mountaineering general6 Comments

Climbing_Meteora_Doupiani_Rock_090627_138 — South-east face – Sudostwand

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Hiking and Scrambling on Oligyrtos’ peak Chionotripa

On May 8, 2018July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking, Mountaineering general1 Comment

Oligyrtos is a mountain located at the junction of Arcadia, Corinthia and Argolis in the northeastern Peloponnese in Greece. The mountain diagonally stretches from southwest to northeast, with about 35 km length and 15 to 20 km breadth. Its highest point is the peak Skipiza, at 1,935 m elevation. Other peaks are Gkrimini (1,831 m), Parnias (1,800 m), Skiathis (1,777 m) and Mavrovouni (1,695 m).

Neighbouring mountain ranges are Kyllini (Ziria) to the north, Mainalo to the southwest, Mount Trachi to the south and Chelmos (Aroania) to the northwest. Local flora consists mostly of grasslands and bushes. Pine trees and barren lands are found in higher areas. It is drained towards the Lake Stymphalia (which is located nearby Lake Doxa) to the north, and towards the plain of Kandila to the south.

Mount_Oligyrtos_Chionotripa_Grimini_7827 — Starting point of the route. Lafka Village – Saint Athanasios Square.

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Parnassos Mountain Winter Mountaineering Ascent

On January 8, 2018January 8, 2018 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering15 Comments

Located at the center of Greece, Parnassus (Parnassos) is one of the biggest and most beautiful mountains of the country. Its highest part is Liakoura peak at 2.457 m. and Tsarkos (2.415 m.) and Gerontovrahos (2.389 m.) peaks follow.

Mount Parnassus is a great area which extends to the municipalities of Boeotia, Phthiotis and Phocis.

Since 1938 a big part of the forest area of the mountain, has been declared as a National Park, which along with the one on Olympus were the first ones that were established in Greece. The Mountain of Apollo, as it also called, is known from the ancient times, as there are many myths connected to it.

Parnassos_Winter_Ascent_Olympus_Mountaineering4308 — Sunrise view

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Hiking in Ancient Epidaurus – Mount Myronia – Sanctuary of Asklepios

On October 11, 2017October 2, 2017 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking9 Comments

Flanked by two gulfs, the Saronic and the Argolic, the land of Epidavros (Epidaurus) is a blessed region of natural beauty and with a long historic heritage.

Travellers take a journey into myth and history, along the rocky, wooded slopes of Mount Arachnaion, the breathtaking beaches and sheltered creeks with fishing boats and sailboats. Fortresses, ancient roads with bridges and guard posts, tombs, Byzantine churches, imposing theatres and impressive monuments make up the “canvas” of the region of Epidaurus.

Epidaurus (Ancient Greek: Ἐπίδαυρος, Epidauros) was a small city in ancient Greece, on the Argolid Peninsula at the Saronic Gulf. Two modern towns bear the name Epidavros Palaia Epidavros and Nea Epidavros. Our starting point for this day hike was nearby Ancient/Palaia Epidavros.

Ancient_Epidavros_Myronia_Epidavros_Theater_1695 — Starting point of the path

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Mount Tymfi (Pindos) Thru-Hike Summary

On September 10, 2017May 4, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking10 Comments

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.

This is a short summary post with the highlights of the Thru-Hike of mountain Tymfi. If you wish to see the individual posts which contain detailed information and more photos, you can click to the following links:

Mount Tymfi (Pindos) Thru-Hike Part 1 – Kapesovo – Mezaria Gorge – Vikos Canyon – Mikro Papingo

Mount Tymfi (Pindos) Thru-Hike Part 2 – ASTRAKA REFUGE – ASTRAKA PEAK

Mount Tymfi (Pindos) Thru-Hike Part 3 – Dragon Lake (Drakolimni)

Mount Tymfi (Pindos) Thru-Hike Part 4 – GAMILA – STOMA – MEGAS LAKOS -TSEPELOVO – KAPESOVO