Hiking at Methana Volcano – Greece (family friendly)

On May 6, 2021May 9, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking15 Comments

Last few months, I was mainly focused on sport climbing and mountaineering routes, though, finally once again I hit the trail for a great hike to the Methana Volcano.

Geologically speaking, Methana is a very interesting region: a long time ago, it was very volcanic and nowadays, it counts no less than 32 ancient craters. One can also see some ancient lava flows, but it is the volcano located in the north-west, not far from the village of Kameni Chora (= burned village), that is the most spectacular witness of this volcanic past – over here, one can really imagine oneself in a true landscape of volcanoes.

Hiking_Methana_Volcano_145744_382 — Trail indication

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Hiking in Kilada – Patima Park – Ermionida (family friendly)

On January 29, 2021January 30, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking12 Comments

It has been quite some time ago since I have last visited the area of Ermionida and this time, besides climbing in the wonderful location of Caves of Franchthi, I also had the chance to visit a great trail that was created by the municipality of Kilada.

Kilada is a picturesque traditional fishing village located in Ermionida, not far from Kranidi and Ermioni. The small village is famous for its traditional shipbuilding and boat construction yards. The boatyards still continue to make and repair traditional wooden fishing boats, as well as maintaining modern luxury yachts for the residing yachting community.

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Climbing in Rock of Ages – Ermionida – Argolis – Greece

On December 26, 2020December 26, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing10 Comments

Is just the second Christmas day and this time we decided to visit for a second time a crag that is located in the region on Argolis, and specifically in the municipality of Ermionida. This crag is rather infamous and is rarely visited due to the difficult approach. This crag is the Rock of Ages.

Rock of Ages, is a nice little cliff in an idyllic setting and highly recommended for those more interested in their surroundings than pushing up their grades. A small ravine with lush vegetation, good rock and varied climbing give a very pleasant day out. Continue reading “Climbing in Rock of Ages – Ermionida – Argolis – Greece” →

Climbing in Leonidio – Sector Mini Canyon

On October 19, 2020October 19, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing10 Comments

Here in Greece, the weather condition (mid October) is still really nice and warm and while we are waiting for the first cold days and the first snows on the high peaks of Greece, we decided to go for some sport climbing in a superb location general and multi-pitch climbing, in Leonidio.

The first day, we visited Douvari Sector, which offers plenty of routes on various degrees of difficulty, but the second day, we have visited for first time, perhaps the nicest sport climbing crag I have ever been, the Mini Canyon Sector.

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Tsirio To Proto | Trad Multipitch Climbing on Mount Onia (Oneia) | V 170 m.

On October 11, 2020January 7, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general8 Comments

It has been quite some time I was driving through the area where Mt. Onia (Oneia) is located and I was always wondering if I could go for some multipitch trad climbing there. I did the research and I figured out there are three established routes on this part of Mt. Onia and last June, just after the Covid-19 lockdown, I decided to visit the area and give it a try.

Though, in June the weather was way too hot and the sun was right above the north face of Mt. Onia (Mt. Oneia) and therefore we decided to not do the climb. Few months passed since the first try and in the beginning of October we decided to visit again the area and give it a try. We decided to climb “Tsirio to Proto” which is a maximum V UIIA degree of 170 meters of total climb. The 170 meters are divided in five (5) pitches.

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Hiking in Cape Tainaron Matapan Southmost point of Greece

Cape Tainaron – Hiking to the southernmost point of mainland Greece (family friendly)

On August 3, 2020August 3, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking6 Comments

In this blog, most of the visitors come to read my various mountaineering, climbing and hiking activities in the mountains of Greece, but this time, I will post something a bit different. Greece is mostly famous for the history, mythology and of course for the splendid seaside and the blue waters. This post is dedicated to the southmost hike one can do in Greece, hiking to Cape Tainaron (Tenaro).

Cape Tainaron separates the eastern Laconian Gulf from the Messenian Gulf in the west. It is believed that it took its name from the mythical son of Zeus, Taenarus, who built a town named Taenarum after himself. At this region, a cave network was believed to be an entrance to Hades; the gate to the Underworld.

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Climbing in Tourkovounia (Anchesmos) – Athens city centre

On June 30, 2020July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing3 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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Climbing in Leonidio – Sector Douvari

On June 17, 2020July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Climbing1 Comment

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_Mignonette_070356_010 — Kokkinovrachos as seen from Leonidio

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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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Hiking, Scrambling and Climbing the Flabouri Ridge – Parnitha

On May 25, 2020July 6, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general4 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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