Tag: Outdoor

The Ultimate Guide of Hiking and Mountaineering in Greece

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking7 Comments

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.

The highest elevation along the total route is the peak of Olympus Skolio (2,911 m). Highest peak of Greece is Mt.Olympus Mytikas at 2917m. The ideal period for hiking along the Ε4 in Greece is early mid spring. Mid to late spring is probably the best time of year for hiking in those areas, since summer and early fall are normally very hot and dry, and late fall through early spring are cold and rainy. The last years in Greece, hiking and mountaineering activities have become very popular and on the famous routes and during high season, you will certainly meet many more hikers from Greece, and not only.

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Hionovouni Mountain (south Parnonas)

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking3 Comments

From the beautiful seaside village of Kyparissi, it is hard to imagine that hidden amongst the surrounding cliffs lies a large fir forest on a mountainside offering a number of lovely hikes. The entirety of Mt. Hionovouni (south Parnonas) comprises a Natura habitat and was once filled with human activities, as evidenced by the many huts and goatfolds and terraced fields, most of them now abandoned. A series of paths, based on the original network, provide an opportunity to enjoy these traces of human endeavour and to enjoy the wonderful landscape. The main route forms part of national hiking path 33 that crosses Hionovouni from the village of Kremasti to Lambokambo. Most of these routes where discovered and established by famous Greek mountaineer Tasos Mitsios.

After careful planning, we established the round route we wanted to follow and with the help of a map, a GPS unit and the well signed paths we initiated our ascent to Mount Hionovouni.

hionovouni_33hionovouni_map

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Summer in Geraneia Mountains

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking2 Comments

Mount Geraneia is a mountain range in Corinthia and West Attica, Greece. Its highest point is the peak Makryplagi, elevation 1,351 m. It covers the northern part of the isthmus between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf. It spans 5–10 km from north to south and 30 km from east to west.

The geography of Geraneia includes forests in the south, the west and the northern part at an elevation of under 900 to 1,000 m. Barren land is in the central part. The grasslands and some bushes lies to the northwest. Farmlands and some barren land lies to the south.

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Starting Point from Pisia Village

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Artemisio Mountain

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

According to Pausanias, a sanctuary dedicated to goddess Artemis, patron of hunters and wild nature, used to sit on its peak. The Roman traveller mentions the sacred grove of Itamoi, a European Yew that is very toxic, and according to mythology, the goddess used it to poison her arrows; unfortunately, the grove has not survived. Today, very few fir trees survive. The river Inachos has its spring on the mountain, its mouth in the Argolic gulf, and is one of the few springs that can be used for those who decide to climb the mountain.

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Lake Doxa & Mount Pentelia (Dourdouvana)

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking11 Comments

Lake Doxa is an artificial lake in western Corinthia, Greece. It is situated at an elevation of 900 m, in the municipal unit Feneos, near the village ancient Feneos. Construction was completed in the late 1990s. It is fed and drained by the small river Doxa, which empties into the plain of Feneos. In the heart of the lake on a small peninsula features a small church of Agios Fanourios. The Saint George Monastery in Feneos was relocated to higher ground, north of the lake. The lake is surrounded by pine forests.

Early Saturday morning we have reached the Lake Doxa where we wanted to establish our camp. One option was to camp right next to the lake and another option was to set up our camp in the woods. We chose the latest option because we wanted to be more isolated. In summer time, lake dosa attracts many car-camping people from Poland, Romania etc.

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View from the Lake

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Erymanthos Mountain & River

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking1 Comment

Erymanthos is a mountain range in the southern part of Achaea and the northeastern part of Elis. With an elevation of 2,224 meters, it is the fourth-tallest mountain in the Peloponnese peninsula. The summit is located on the boundary of Achaea and Elis. Historically, Mount Erymanthos was part of northwestern Arcadia, where it was the second-tallest mountain range. The northern portion belonged to the historic Achaea.

We have arrived in the village of Kalenji very late on a Friday night. Our goal was to start on Saturday morning and cross the whole Erymanthos mountain range. Plan was to get up at 5.30 on Saturday morning and from Kalenji (South-West) to move towards the highest peak of Erymanthos, Olonos and to descent North East of the mountain. As first goal, we had the Profitis Ilias (Elias) peak something we have achieved in 4 hours from our starting point. The route was very rough and we had to walk and climb on rocks while we were carrying all our camping gear, food and several liters of water each one of us.

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Lakmos Mountain (Pindos)

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering7 Comments

Lakmos is a mountain in eastern Ioannina and western Trikala regional units. The mountain is a part of the Pindus mountain range. Its highest peak is the Peristeri, at 2,295 m elevation. It stretches from the village Krapsi in the west to near Metsovo in the east, over a length of about 20 km (12 mi). The nearest mountains are the Athamanika to the south, the Lygkos to the north and the Mitsikeli to the west. It is drained by the river Arachthos and its tributaries to the north, west and south, and by the Acheloos to the east.

The nearest town is Metsovo, at its northeastern end. Other places in the mountains are Anthousa in the southeast, Anthochori in the north, Megali Gotista in the west and Vathypedo in the southwest.

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Winter Climb in Vardousia Mountain

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Winter Mountaineering17 Comments

Vardousia is a mountain in northwestern Phocis and southwestern Phthiotis, Greece. Its highest peak, Korakas reaches 2,495 m (8,186 ft), making it the second-tallest summit in Central Greece after Giona. It is a southern extension of the Pindus mountains. It is divided into three main parts: Northern Vardousia, whose highest peak is Sinani at 2,059 metres (6,755 feet), the very steep Western Vardousia, whose highest peak is Soufles at 2,300 metres (7,500 feet), and Southern Vardousia, with the highest peak of Korakas. The whole range measures about 25 kilometres (16 miles) from north to south.

Last weekend, together with a group of friends we have been climbing towards the Korakas peak, starting from Athanasios Diakos village. The first part of the climb is more like trekking under beautiful trees and with wonderful views towards the Vardousia peaks.

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Hilleberg Akto Review

On By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Hiking Gear Review8 Comments

When Hilleberg first introduced the Akto nearly 20 years ago, they didn’t know that it would become as popular as it has. Although only slightly heavier than a bivy bag, the Akto offers near-luxury, all-season shelter for the solo traveler – lodging that includes a vestibule and a packed size small enough to fit into a side pocket on many packs.

Boom 2016-06-30 at 15.32.01

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