Climbing in Katafyki Gorge – Ermioni, Argolis

On November 5, 2018December 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing17 Comments

About 4 km away from Ermioni there is a great hiking opportunity in Katafyki Gorge. This route is suitable for all the family due to the easy trail of only 2,5 kilometres. The wild beauty of this gorge will astonish you. Of course, this route can be extended up to 7 kilometres if one wants to hike from Katafyki Gorge up to the village of Fournoi.

Katafyki gorge is a beautiful natural landscape, located between the villages of Fournoi and Ermioni. It consists of a protected area of outstanding beauty and a wild life refuge that attracts the most demanding visitors. Hikers can leave their car in Ermioni and take the path that passes through the dense vegetation of pines, laurels, myrtles, shrubs and other endemic plants. The sound of the running water and the presence of rare animals and wild birds give the impression of an earthly paradise. The imposing rough rocks host mysterious caves, one of which is said to consist of the entrance to the underworld, the point from where Hercules found Cerberus. The locals narrate stories of various offenders that used the caves as refuge.

Climbing_Katafyki_Ermioni_Argolis_2305 — Good Dag 6a+

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Climbing in Pillars of the Wind – Argolis, Greece

On October 3, 2018July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing18 Comments

While we are on tour climbing in the region of Argolis, we have decided to go and check a rather unvisited crag, the Pillars of the Wind (Τα πιλλιέ των ανέμων). The Pillars of the Wind is a beautiful rock between Mount Didimo and Mount Ortholithi.

Pillars of the Wind, is an interesting rock formation giving the impression that a giant hand has thrust a lump of rock through the surrounding soil leaving shattered pinnacles and crazily leaning giant boulders. Very reminiscent of a Dartmoor for except it is made of limestone.

Pillars of the Wind is a very friendly venue with good access, a good variety of routes and great quality rock.

Climbing_Pillars_Of_Winds_1551 — Pillars of the Wind as seen from the parking lot

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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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Hiking in Ermionida – Ermioni – Kranidi (Argolis) Part 03 | Katafyki Gorge

On April 30, 2018April 2, 2018 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking3 Comments

About 5 km away from Ermioni there is a great hiking opportunity in Katafyki Gorge. This route is suitable for all the family due to the easy trail of only 2,5 kilometres. The wild beauty of this gorge will astonish you. Of course, this route can be extended up to 7 kilometres if one wants to hike from Katafyki Gorge up to the village of Fournoi.

Ermioni_Katafyki_Katafiki_6467 — Start/End point of the Katafyki trail

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Hiking in Ermionida – Ermioni – Kranidi (Argolis) Part 02 | Pikrodafni – Avlona – Crow Hill – Pikrodafni

On April 14, 2018April 30, 2018 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking3 Comments

Spring time in Greece is one of the best seasons. Weather conditions are optimum almost on daily basis where there is clear blue sky but the sun is not burning hot as it becomes during summer time. In fact, during, spring time one can go for an alpine climb with neve and snow and just after that can go for a refreshing dive into the crystal clear blue sea waters of Greece.

For this spring, I have decided to explore the trail paths of a small town in the east of Peloponnese called Ermioni. Ermioni is a small fishing town of Argolida (Argolis) at the east of Peloponnese. The traditional taverns, the cafes, the paved streets, the beautiful houses and the crystal clear beaches around this area are some of the reasons this town is an interesting summer destination of Peloponnese. While travelling around this area you will have the chance to admire the olive and the pine trees and plenty of bays with turquoise water.

Hiking-Ermioni-Argolis_5704 — Beginning of the trail

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Hiking in Ermionida – Ermioni – Kranidi (Argolis) Part 01 | Ermioni – Ag. Anargyroi – Pikrodafni – Ermioni

On April 5, 2018April 5, 2018 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking5 Comments

Having enjoyed some more heavy duty winter mountaineering activities, it is time to do some simple hiking in a rather unexplored area of Greece, Ermioni.

Ermioni is a small fishing town of Argolida (Argolis) at the east of Peloponnese. The traditional taverns, the cafes, the paved streets, the beautiful houses and the crystal clear beaches around this area are some of the reasons this town is an interesting summer destination of Peloponnese. While travelling around this area you will have the chance to admire the olive and the pine trees and plenty of bays with turquoise water.

Wandering around this town you will definitely feel like you are on an island. You can walk on the paved streets until the slope of the ancient hill “Pronos” where you will find the beautiful chapel of Agia Kiriaki. When you arrive at the chapel you will be rewarded with the beautiful view of the sea and the plains where olive trees, citrus trees and pomegranates are cultivated. Ermioni, besides being a very picturesque town is also the harbour that leads to Hydra island and not far from there, one can find Spetses island too. Continue reading “Hiking in Ermionida – Ermioni – Kranidi (Argolis) Part 01 | Ermioni – Ag. Anargyroi – Pikrodafni – Ermioni” →