Winter Hike on Mount Helicon (Elikonas)

On January 28, 2019September 23, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking, Winter Mountaineering8 Comments

It has been quite some time since the very first post here on the Olympus Mountaineering blog, and so far it has been a really nice “journey”.

I personally, enjoy all kind of outdoor activities in Greece, from Winter Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Wild Camping up to Thru-Hikes and I am certainly glad when people from abroad get in contact with the Olympus Mountaineering blog in order to receive various information for the Greek mountains.

Few days ago, a person from Poland got in touch with us and kindly asked if it would be an option to join us on our next mountaineering activity. Although, I rarely accept to go on the mountains with people I do not know, after a short chat, I understood this person was serious enough and had enough knowledge for a winter mountaineering activity.

elikonas_helicon_mountain_winter_hike_20190126_170829_976 — Beautiful Landscape on Mount Helicon

Continue reading →

Winter Hike on Mount Parnitha

On January 14, 2019January 14, 2019 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking, Winter Mountaineering10 Comments

It was a beautiful sunny morning just after Christmas and just before the end of 2018 and I took the decision to go for a training hike on Mount Parnitha. The previous days there was a quite heavy snowfall and due to rather low temperatures I was able to hike on snow (in the north side of the mountain) and on dry conditions from the east/south side of Mount Parnitha.

Mt. Parnitha is located in Attiki province, 25km North from the city of Athens. It is one of the 4 mountains(the others are Immitos, Penteli and Aigaleo) 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.

Winter_Hiking_Parnitha_20181230_103453_545 — Flabouri Mountain Hut

Continue reading “Winter Hike on Mount Parnitha” →

Hiking in Tzoumerka (Athamanika) – Pramanta Refuge – Waterfall Kefalovriso

On January 7, 2019August 27, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking13 Comments

After a rather demanding climb in Strogoula via the “Agrofylakas” couloir, it was time for an easy hike in order to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Athamanika (Tzoumerka) mountains.

The cycle of seasons at Tzoumerka (Athamanika) follows its own calm rhythms. Words such as awe and admiration are not enough to describe the splendor of the nature.

Here, time seems to hang still over the gorges, the vertical cliffs of the ravines and the snow-covered firs that climb the rocks up to the naked alpine zone. The abundant running water and impressive waterfalls justify the omnipresent dense flora and satisfy both the physical thirst as well as that of the sense of sight.

There are a lot of mapped hiking routes at Tzoumerka, with special markings, both for advanced and beginners in hiking. A very easy hike is the one that starts from the Pramanta Mountain Refuge and end in the Waterfall.

Tzoumerka_Athamanika_Pramanta_Waterfall_20181223_194715_943 — View of Strogoula as seen from Pramanta Mountain Refuge

Continue reading →

Hiking on Mount Mainalo – Traversing Ostrakina to Mavri Korifi (Black Peak)

On December 3, 2018August 22, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking2 Comments

Autumn is a really nice season and full of surprises while adventuring in the outdoors. One day can be with beautiful sunny conditions, the day after the scenery can change dramatically and become full of mist and fog. This is what actually happened on our last visit on Mainalo mountain.

The climate of the area is quite unique given the elevation. The range feels more like the PWN than the alps, this is due to the high forestation and large amounts of precipitation in the area. The range is very humid and rather cold boasting some of the coldest fronts in Greece, easily falling under -10C during storms. The area has stable weather and gets storms for multiple days although harsh weather is a staple of the area, quick changes of weather during storms (i.e. from rain to no rain, from cloudy to snowy) is another problem.

Mainalo_Menalo_Mountain_Ostrakina-Mavri_Koryfi_Travere_20181125_201155_514 — early morning view from my tent

Continue reading →

Hiking on Mount Mainalo – Tzelati Peak

On November 26, 2018August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking7 Comments

Mount Mainalo, with almost 2000 m altitude (Ostrakina Peak) is one of the most mysterious mountains of Greece. It dominates the middle of the Peloponnese and is distinguished for its natural wealth and beauty. On its lush green slopes, since the dawn of the world man became a predator, architect, and musician, learned to live in towns, discovered the charms of art, the assistance of divination and met face to face with God.

Last time we have visited Mount Mainalo (or Menalo) was for a winter mountaineering ascent a couple of years ago. Now, a couple of years later on, it was again time to visit Mainalo, wich was named after the mythical Maenalus.

Mainalo_Menalo_Mountain_Refuge_Tzelati_20181125_174336_738 — EOS Tripolis Refuge

Continue reading →

Taygetus Mountain Crossing Pentadaktylos (Five Fingers) – Anavriti – Tsarkos – Spanakaki – Sidirokastro – Athanati Rachi – Profitis Elias – EOS Refuge

On September 10, 2018August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking, Mountaineering general7 Comments

It has been quite some time since the last update on Olympus Mountaineering blog. This summer was rather busy and rather hot, so the high peaks had to wait for the beginning of the Autumn. As first mountaineering adventure for this new season was -once again- selected the beautiful mountain of Taygetos (or Taygetus).

Taygetus, is a mountain range in the Peloponnese peninsula in Southern Greece. The highest mountain of the range is Mount Taygetus, also known as the “Profitis Ilias”, or “Prophet Elias”. The name is one of the oldest recorded in Europe, appearing in the Odyssey. In classical mythology, it was associated with the nymph Taygete. During Byzantine times and up until the 19th century, the mountain was also known as “Pentadaktylos” which means “five fingers” in Greek. The name was related to the 5 peaks of the mountain range.

Taygetos_Pentadaktylos_Anavriti_Crossing_1219 — Starting point Anavriti Village

Continue reading →

Hiking in picturesque villages Kallarites and Syrrako

On June 18, 2018August 31, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking7 Comments

The region of Pindos is an amazing place and full of pleasant surprises. Having been in this region several times, I have also decided to do a small hike between two beautiful picturesque villages, Kallarites and Syrrako.

This hike was done just few hours after the completion of the Lakmos mountain crossing and after a very peaceful night I have stayed on the Alpine lake of Verliga.

Kallarites_Syrakko_9311 — From Kallarites to Syrrako

Continue reading →

Hiking in South Pindos – Lakmos Mountain Pt.01 | Anthochori – Tsoukarela Peak – Verliga Alpine Lake

On May 30, 2018August 30, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking12 Comments

It’s almost summer and it’s perfect time for Long Distance mountain crossing. This time, we have decided to visit one of the nicest mountainous areas of Greece and specifically, the area of south Pindos.

The Pindos (also Pindus or Pindhos) (Greek: Πίνδος) mountain range is located in northern Greece. It is roughly 160 km long, with a maximum elevation of 2,637m (Mount Smolikas). Because it runs along the border of Thessaly and Epirus, the Pindos range is known colloquially as the spine of Greece. The mountain range stretches from near the Greek-Albanian border in Northern Epirus, entering the Epirus and Macedonia regions in northern Greece down to the north of the Peloponnese. Geologically it is an extension of the Dinaric Alps, which dominate the western region of the Balkan Peninsula.

Lakmos_Peristeri_Verliga_9204 — Starting point – Anthochori village

Continue reading →

Hiking and Crossing Lambia Mountains

On May 17, 2018August 23, 2025 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking4 Comments

Lambia Mountains or Lampia or Lampio (Greek: Λάμπεια όρη) are a branch and ridge of Erymanthos mountain, located in the Peloponnese, and are administratively owned by Ilia. Its highest peak is “Analipsi” at an altitude of 1,795 meters above sea level.

The name of this mountains come from the “shine of the snow” on the top of the mountain where the sunlight strikes it on its highest points. From Lambia Mountains, many tributaries of the Pineios spring . On the slopes of Lambia mountains there are various villages such as Divri (or Lambia), Kryovrisi, Kalyvia Kryovrisi, Tsipiana, Astras, Oreni, Amigdali, Kresova and Agia Kyriaki.

Lambia_Ori_Tsipiana_Analipsi_Dirvi_8154 — Starting Point Tsipiana Village

Continue reading →

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.