Mount Kaliakouda is like a twin to Chelidona; seperated only by Karpenisiotis river, the two are of almost equal height. An ideal destination for adventure-seekers, it stands out for the wildness of its nature and thanks to its contiguity with other mountains, it may serve as a base for several days of exploration.
Mount Timfristos or Velouchi, located between Evritania and Phthiotis prefectures, belongs to the Pindus mountain range and is connected to Agrafa. From its peak you can see the mountains of central Greece, with Vardousia and Kaliakouda to the south and Panetoliko and Chelidona to the southwest. About 50% of Evritania is dominated by forests- a higher percentage than any other greek perfecture-, consisting mostly of firs and some deciduous species on lower grounds.
Continue reading “Winter Ascent on Mount Tymfristos (Velouchi)”
An impressive mountain range at the edge of Greece, which is distinguished for its rich forests, the variety of streams and the large alpine meadows, which host a affluent in endemic and rare species flora.
Varnoudas or Varnous, is spread at northwest of Florina’s prefecture, in the border with FYROM. The mountain constitutes the south endpoint of the larger mountain range of Peristeri (Pelister or Mpampa in Slavic language), which its main volume is situated insider the neighboring country. West of the mountain, are the Prespes Lakes, with the slopes of Varnoudas offering unique view to the basin that is created by the two lakes. At North, the mountain is connected with the rest of Pelister, at east, the foot of the mountain end up to Florina’s plateau and at south, is divided from Mount Vernon, by Vigla’s neck.
Continue reading “Mount Varnoudas Expedition Preparation – Winter 2017”
Time has come for the Autumn ascent. After the initial planning, it was that time of the year to visit again the Mountain of the Greek mountains, Olympus.
Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and the second highest mountain in the Balkans. It is located in the Olympus Range on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia, between the regional units of Pieria and Larissa, about 80 km (50 mi) southwest from Thessaloniki. Mount Olympus has 52 peaks, deep gorges, and exceptional biodiversity. The highest peak Mytikas, meaning “nose”, rises to 2,918 metres (9,573 ft). It is one of the highest peaks in Europe in terms of topographic prominence.
Olympus was notable in Greek mythology as the home of the Greek gods, on the Mytikas peak. Mount Olympus is also noted for its very rich flora with several species. It has been a National Park, the first in Greece, since 1938. It is also a World’s Biosphere Reserve.
You can explore Greece’s variety of landscapes, remote coves and the ruins of ancient cities, walking!
The core of Mainland Greece runs from the European Long Distance Walking Path Ε4 (- GR), beginning from the Pyrinaia it arrives in Greece via Yugoslavia, at the Nikis guard-post in Florina. The E4, crossing the Peloponnese, stops at Gythio and continues on to Crete. The mountain-climber is thus given the opportunity to see the enjoy of the Greek scenery and the wealth of Greek nature.
The highest elevation along the total route is the peak of Olympus Skolio (2,911 m). Highest peak of Greece is Mt.Olympus Mytikas at 2917m. The ideal period for hiking along the Ε4 in Greece is early mid spring. Mid to late spring is probably the best time of year for hiking in those areas, since summer and early fall are normally very hot and dry, and late fall through early spring are cold and rainy. The last years in Greece, hiking and mountaineering activities have become very popular and on the famous routes and during high season, you will certainly meet many more hikers from Greece, and not only.
Continue reading “The Ultimate Guide of Hiking and Mountaineering in Greece”
Mount Olympus formed itself after the gods defeated the titans in the Titan War, and soon the palace was inhabited by the gods. It is the setting of many Greek mythical stories. Olympus was not shaken by winds nor ever wet with rain, nor did snow fall upon it, but the air is outspread clear and cloudless, and over it hovered a radiant whiteness.
Our previous ascent on the top of God’s Mountain took place in 2014 and it’s about time to visit again the highest and one of the most beautiful mountains of Greece. On our previous ascent, we took one of the most common routes -starting point Gortsia- but this time we are planning to ascent the north face of the mountain.
Continue reading “Mount Olympus Expedition Preparation – Fall 2016”
Artemisio mountain is on the border between Arcadia and Argolis, in the Municipalities of Argos-Mycenae and Tripolis respectively. It forms part of the mountain range that connects the Argolic Gulf with the Corinthian, and as such, it borders with Lyrkeio mountain on the north and with Ktenia mountain on the south. On its west is the plateau of Mantineia. Its tallest peak is 1,771 metres in height.
According to Pausanias, a sanctuary dedicated to goddess Artemis, patron of hunters and wild nature, used to sit on its peak. The Roman traveller mentions the sacred grove of Itamoi, a European Yew that is very toxic, and according to mythology, the goddess used it to poison her arrows; unfortunately, the grove has not survived. Today, very few fir trees survive. The river Inachos has its spring on the mountain, its mouth in the Argolic gulf, and is one of the few springs that can be used for those who decide to climb the mountain.
Continue reading “Artemisio Mountain”
Erymanthos is a mountain range in the southern part of Achaea and the northeastern part of Elis. With an elevation of 2,224 meters, it is the fourth-tallest mountain in the Peloponnese peninsula. The summit is located on the boundary of Achaea and Elis. Historically, Mount Erymanthos was part of northwestern Arcadia, where it was the second-tallest mountain range. The northern portion belonged to the historic Achaea.
We have arrived in the village of Kalenji very late on a Friday night. Our goal was to start on Saturday morning and cross the whole Erymanthos mountain range. Plan was to get up at 5.30 on Saturday morning and from Kalenji (South-West) to move towards the highest peak of Erymanthos, Olonos and to descent North East of the mountain. As first goal, we had the Profitis Ilias (Elias) peak something we have achieved in 4 hours from our starting point. The route was very rough and we had to walk and climb on rocks while we were carrying all our camping gear, food and several liters of water each one of us.
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 the Peristeri, 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 nearest town is Metsovo, at its northeastern end. Other places in the mountains are Anthousa in the southeast, Anthochori in the north, Megali Gotista in the west and Vathypedo in the southwest.
Vardousia is a mountain in northwestern Phocis and southwestern Phthiotis, Greece. Its highest peak, Korakas reaches 2,495 m (8,186 ft), making it the second-tallest summit in Central Greece after Giona. It is a southern extension of the Pindus mountains. It is divided into three main parts: Northern Vardousia, whose highest peak is Sinani at 2,059 metres (6,755 feet), the very steep Western Vardousia, whose highest peak is Soufles at 2,300 metres (7,500 feet), and Southern Vardousia, with the highest peak of Korakas. The whole range measures about 25 kilometres (16 miles) from north to south.
Last weekend, together with a group of friends we have been climbing towards the Korakas peak, starting from Athanasios Diakos village. The first part of the climb is more like trekking under beautiful trees and with wonderful views towards the Vardousia peaks.
Olympus Mountaineering 