Tag: Hiking

Via Ferrata Arma – Parnitha Mountain

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Mountaineering general9 Comments

Winter time in Greece is a very interesting season. Weather conditions can vary from mild to extremely harsh. For this weekend, our initial plan was to visit Vardousia mountain for a winter mountaineering ascent, though the extreme winds (more that 80 km/h) forced us to change our plans. Due to the fact we wanted to try something new, we have decided to visit the splendid Via Ferrata “Arma” which is located on Mount Parnitha.

See the latest visit in Via Ferrata “Arma” with many more photos here

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 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.

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Via Ferrata Arma – starting/end point
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Hiking to the top of Mount Parnonas

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking7 Comments

This winter, weather conditions in Greece have not been very harsh and therefore we did not have many snowfalls till now. In our search for snow, we have decided to visit one of the nicest mountains of Pelopennese area, Mount Parnonas (or Malevos).

Parnonas is a mountain range, or massif, on the east of the Laconian plain and the Evrotas valley, upon which Grant Parnon resides. It is visible from Athens above the top of the Argive mountains. The western part is in the Laconia prefecture and the northeastern part is in the Arcadia prefecture. The Parnon range separates Laconia from Arcadia. Its summit offers panoramic views of southeastern Arcadia and South Kynouria and much of Laconia that includes the northern and the central portions and reaches as far as the Taygetos mountains. It also views a part of the central Arcadia and the southern Argolis prefectures.

Parnonas also known as “Malevos” is the mountain range which divides two large counties of Peloponnese, Arcadia and Laconia. The highest peak of Parnonas is called “Megali Tourla” also known as “Kronio” and has 1936 meters altitude. The mountain ends in Laconia at the Cape Maleas, south of Peloponnese.

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Starting point

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Hiking in Agrafa – Panagia Pelekiti – Karamanoli – Neraida

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking1 Comment

Hiking in the Agrafa region is one of our favourite activities. Having already hiked and climbed Voutsikaki, Five Towers, Papadimitri, Pouli and Svoni, we have decided to visit another trail path in the mountainous region of Agrafa.

Agrafa is a mountainous region in Evrytania and Karditsa regional units in mainland Greece, consisting mainly of small villages. It is the southernmost part of the Pindus range.  The Agrafa region is famous for its complete autonomy throughout the entire 400 years of Ottoman Turkish occupation of Greece. The word agrafa literally translates to unwritten which means unregistered or uncharted; because the Ottomans were unable to conquer this region, the area and its population were not recorded in the Sultan’s tax register. As a result the people were usually free to conduct their business and customs as they pleased without Ottoman influence.

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Agrafa Mountains – Svoni – Pouli – Papadimitri

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking3 Comments

Almost at the end of the eleventh month of the year and this time, we have decided to visit one of our favourite regions of Greece and specifically the Agrafa mountains. The route we have decided to do is the following: Karoplesi village – Papadimitri Peak (1.930 m) – Pouli Peak (1.846 m.) – Svoni Peak (2.042 m) – Saika Village, all situated in the Agrafa region of Karditsa.

Agrafa is a mountainous region in Evrytania and Karditsa regional units in mainland Greece, consisting mainly of small villages. It is the southernmost part of the Pindus range.  The Agrafa region is famous for its complete autonomy throughout the entire 400 years of Ottoman Turkish occupation of Greece. The word agrafa literally translates to unwritten which means unregistered or uncharted; because the Ottomans were unable to conquer this region, the area and its population were not recorded in the Sultan’s tax register. As a result the people were usually free to conduct their business and customs as they pleased without Ottoman influence.

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Sunrise in Agrafa
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Autumn Ascent on Skiathis Mountain

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking4 Comments

It was a cloudy and rainy Sunday morning, and we have decided to visit a mountain peak that is not well known. The name of this mountain is Mount Skiathis (also called Scathes or Sciathis) and is in the boarders of the prefecture of Argolis and Arcadia. In the north part is connected with Mount Oligyrtos and in the southern part with Lyrkio Mountain.

The highest point of Mount Skiathis is 1.777 meters above sea level. This mountain is not often climbed and therefore during our ascent we have not met any other hikers. Actually, the path towards the peak is not well signed and therefore in case of not optimal weather conditions, it is suggested to have a GPS device with the route already loaded in it.

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While arriving in Alea, a beautiful rainbow was welcoming us

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Agrafa Mountains Svoni Peak Expedition Preparation – Autumn 2017

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking4 Comments

Agrafa is a mountainous region in Evrytania and Karditsa regional units in mainland Greece, consisting mainly of small villages. It is the southernmost part of the Pindus range.  The Agrafa region is famous for its complete autonomy throughout the entire 400 years of Ottoman Turkish occupation of Greece. The word agrafa literally translates to unwritten which means unregistered or uncharted; because the Ottomans were unable to conquer this region, the area and its population were not recorded in the Sultan’s tax register. As a result the people were usually free to conduct their business and customs as they pleased without Ottoman influence.

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Pouli and Svoni Peak 2.042 m. as seen from 5 Towers (5 Pyrgoi)

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Scrambling in Artemisio Mountain (Artemisio Arete)

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking3 Comments

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 Ktenias mountain on the south. On its west is the plateau of Mantineia. Its tallest peak which is called Malevos is 1,771 metres in height.

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Route 34 leads to Malevos peak 1.771 m.
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Hiking in Ancient Epidaurus – Mount Myronia – Sanctuary of Asklepios

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking12 Comments

Flanked by two gulfs, the Saronic and the Argolic, the land of Epidavros (Epidaurus) is a blessed region of natural beauty and with a long historic heritage.

Travellers take a journey into myth and history, along the rocky, wooded slopes of Mount Arachnaion, the breathtaking beaches and sheltered creeks with fishing boats and sailboats. Fortresses, ancient roads with bridges and guard posts, tombs, Byzantine churches, imposing theatres and impressive monuments make up the “canvas” of the region of Epidaurus.

Epidaurus (Ancient Greek: Ἐπίδαυρος, Epidauros) was a small city in ancient Greece, on the Argolid Peninsula at the Saronic Gulf. Two modern towns bear the name Epidavros Palaia Epidavros and Nea Epidavros. Our starting point for this day hike was nearby Ancient/Palaia Epidavros.

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Starting point of the path

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La Sportiva Bushido Review

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn footwear, Gear Review13 Comments

It has not been so long ago when I purchased the trail running shoe, La Sportiva Bushido. Since then I have used this pair on various circumstance and I have completed around 350 kilometres with various activities such as trail running, mountain running, hiking and scrambling. So far, I have been very happy with the “Bushido” in terms of fit, performance and durability.

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La Sportiva Bushido 650+ km of use

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Top 5 Hiking Trails in Greece

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking3 Comments

One of the great cradles of Western civilization, Classical Athens in particular the birthplace or nurturer of democracy, philosophy, history, poetry, tragedy and comedy, and some of the world’s greatest architecture and sculpture. Through cultural influence (Greek colonies extended around the Mediterranean; the Greeks not the Romans brought wine to France) and expansion (think Alexander), this small rocky country profoundly influenced the world as far afield as Ghandara in what are now Afganistan and Pakistan and hence along the Silk Road to China.

Greece has things to fascinate everyone, children included. The variety of travel and tours you can make in Greece is as a result huge. 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.

Bellow our favourite Top 5 Hiking Trails in Greece

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