Skytali V+ UIAA 35 m. – Trad Climbing in Arma – Mt. Parnitha – Attica

On November 21, 2022November 23, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering generalLeave a comment

Every now and then I try to visit one of my favourite outdoor locations of Greece, and specifically Mt. Parnitha which is located just 30 minutes far from Athens city centre. Mt. Parnitha is located in Attiki province, 25km N from the city of Athens. It is one of the 4 mountains(the others are Immitos, Penteli and Poikilo) that surround the circular plain, in which the city of Athens is built. Mt Parnitha is the tallest and more impressive among the mountains that surround Athens.

During my previous visits in Parnitha, I had the pleasure to climb in the area of Flabouri, but this time I want to visit and climb in the area of Arma.

Parntha_Agios_Kiprianos_Koromilia_Tamilthi_Alogopetra_190511_668 — Tamilthi Peak – View towards Arma

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Klassiki VI UIAA 100 m. – Trad Climbing in Kato Flabouri – Mt. Parnitha – Attica

On September 5, 2022September 9, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general8 Comments

One of my favourite locations in Greece for outdoor activities is Mt. Parnitha which is located just 30 minutes far from Athens city centre. Mt. Parnitha is located in Attiki province, 25km N from the city of Athens.It is one of the 4 mountains(the others are Immitos, Penteli and Poikilo) that surround the circular plain, in which the city of Athens is built. Mt Parnitha is the talllest and more impressive among the mountains that surround Athens.

Every now and then, I try to visit the area of Mt. Parnitha either for hiking or climbing activities. Though, for quite some time now, I had in my bucket list to visit the area of Kato Flabouri and climb the first ever route that was climbed in the area. This route is known as Klassiki (classic) or by the names of the first ascenders – Michailides, Tsamakides, Liagos, Idosides.

Climbing_Parnitha_Kato_Glabouri_Classic_Klassiki_044 — View of the rock and the route

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Hiking in West Parnitha – Agios Kiprianos – Koromilia peak – Tamilthi peak – Alogopetra peak – Agios Kiprianos

On January 12, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking11 Comments

The past few days, I have had the chance to enjoy one of the most famous mountains of Greece, Mount Parnitha. Mount Parnitha, is one of the most visited mountains due to its proximity to the capital of Greece, Athens.

Athens is the capital of Greece. It was also at the heart of Ancient Greece, a powerful civilisation and empire. The city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings like the colonnaded Parthenon temple. Although there is plenty cultural and historical sights in and around Athens, a visitor has many more reasons in order to visit this magnificent city.

Parntha_Agios_Kiprianos_Koromilia_Tamilthi_Alogopetra_183348_907 — Agios Kiprianos Monastery

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Climbing in Koutsomaraki Crag – Mount Poikilo, Attica-Greece

On January 8, 2022January 8, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing15 Comments

While I have been searching for some new climbing crags, I came across a newsletter by Petroupolis Mountaineering Club and I have noticed that on October 4 2020, the inauguration of a new climbing crag took place. In this inauguration was also present Mr. Nikos Latsoudis, who had spotted and indicated the location of this crag about 4 years ago. The climbing crag after much effort and work done by many members of the Petroupolis Mountaineering Club took shape.

Koutsomaraki_Climbing_Crag_Petroupoli_134943_808 — Koutsomaraki Climbing Crag

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Hiking in West Parnitha – Kliston Monastery – Pan’s Cave – Arma – Kliston Monastery

On December 29, 2021December 29, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking4 Comments

Throughout the years, I have been involved and exploring various outdoor activities. Like most of us, I started my outdoor adventures with simple day hikes, then I moved on with multi-day hikes and trekking, then some scrambling, mountaineering, winter mountaineering, climbing and of course the combination of all the above.

Having this diverse background with the various activities, I have developed a good sense of appreciation of the various natural habitats. One of the most interesting area to visit in Greece, is Mount Parnitha which is located just few kilometres far from the city centre of Athens.

This time, I wanted to go for a solo hike and I decided to visit West Parnitha and the trail that starts from the Kliston Monastery and leads you to Arma via the famous Pan’s cave.

Hiking_West_Parnitha_Moni-Kliston_Panas-Cave_Arma_115220_273 — Beautiful view towards the west suburbs of Attica

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Climbing in Tourkovounia (Anchesmos) – Athens city centre

On June 30, 2020July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing4 Comments

Athens is the historical capital of Europe, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. In the 5^th Century BC (the “Golden Age of Pericles”) – the culmination of Athens’ long, fascinating history – the city’s values and civilization acquired a universal significance. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments – a rare historical palimpsest. In 1834, it became the capital of the modern Greek state and in two centuries since it has become an attractive modern metropolis with unrivalled charm.

A large part of the town’s historic centre has been converted into a 3 km pedestrian zone (the largest in Europe), leading to the major archaeological sites (“archaeological park”), reconstructing – to a large degree – the ancient landscape.

Climbing_Tourkovounia_Kokkina_Anchesmos_104732_963 — Tourkovounia crag – Red sector

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Hiking to the Wildfire Observation Station of Skipiza – Parnitha (family friendly hike)

On June 12, 2020June 8, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & TrekkingLeave a comment

While some people think their days of hiking are “on hold” once they become parents, that’s just not the case! There are still plenty of adventures ahead for both parents and children.

If you’re a hiker with young children, you don’t have to put your hobby on hold until they head for college. And if you’re a parent who is new to hiking, there couldn’t be a better time to start! Spending time on the trail offers a world of opportunity for family outings and vacations. Not only will your family grow closer, but you can introduce the next generation to all that trails offer for personal growth and education while making life-long family memories.

One of the keys things to remember when hiking with children is that the trek no longer becomes about getting from point A to point B, but more about exploring the trail and what is on it.

Parnitha_Wildfire_Observation_Station_Skipiza_092602_395 — Map exploration

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Via Ferrata and scrambling in Arma – Parnitha Mountain

On June 7, 2020July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general8 Comments

Athens is the capital of Greece and offers many different outdoor activities for the visitors of the city just 30 minutes from the city centre. One of the most visited location for such activities is mount Parnitha that besides hiking, climbing and cycling, one can enjoy a really nice Via Ferrata route that is located in “Arma“.

A via ferrata (Italian for “iron path”, plural vie ferrate or in English via ferratas) is a protected climbing route found in the Alps and certain other locations. The via ferrata found on Mount Parnitha is called “Arma” and the starting point is nearby “Moni Kliston” monastery. For the most part, it is the route that climbers have been following year after year in order to access the climbing barracks.

Parnitha_Via_Ferrata_Arma_205645_209 — First part of Arma Via Ferrata Route

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Hiking, Scrambling and Climbing the Flabouri Ridge – Parnitha

On May 25, 2020July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general7 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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Dry Tooling in Athens – Rizos’ Cave

On February 12, 2020February 20, 2022 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing, Winter Mountaineering9 Comments

Mountaineering is the set of activities that involves ascending mountains.

Mountaineering-related activities include traditional outdoor climbing, skiing, and traversing via ferratas. Sport climbing and Bouldering and even Dry Tooling are also considered mountaineering by some.

Unlike most sports, mountaineering lacks widely-applied formal rules, regulations, and governance; mountaineers adhere to a large variety of techniques and philosophies when climbing mountains. One of the various techniques is Dry Tooling too.