Welcome to the breathtaking realm of Nestani, nestled in the suburbs of Tripoli, Greece. Nestani has emerged as a climber’s haven, boasting a variety of routes that cater to beginners and experienced climbers alike. In this blog post, we will delve into the history, development, and exhilarating climbing experiences offered by this new stunning climbing destination.
In the past few years, with the last decade being particularly remarkable, Sport Climbing has undergone a remarkable transformation – evolving from a niche activity into a global sensation.
This exhilarating surge has also taken hold here in Greece, reshaping the landscape of the climbing scene. As a thrilling consequence, an abundance of fresh climbing havens has emerged across mainland Greece, sprouting up like enchanting mushrooms. These captivating sites are not confined solely to the mainland but have also extended their allure to the Greek islands, most notably the renowned Kalymnos. Yet, it’s the Peloponnese that has witnessed a spectacular surge, with numerous novel climbing destinations being carved into its terrain. Imagine climbing in Corinth, conquering the cliffs in Leonidio, embracing the challenge in Ermionida, finding your ascent in Nafplio and Asini, and now, a new frontier emerges near Kandia.
Greece, renowned for its idyllic beaches and ancient ruins, holds a secret that calls out to thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. Nestled within its borders lie the Greek mountains, a haven for adventure enthusiasts craving breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences. In this post, we embark on a journey through various Greek mountain ranges.
From the legendary heights of Mount Olympus, where the Barbala’s Ridge beckons with its awe-inspiring beauty, to the serene shores of Verliga Alpine Lake, we delve into the hidden treasures and untamed wonders of Greece’s mountainous landscapes. Brace yourself for the heart-pounding adventures that unfold as we traverse the challenging trails of Mount Tymfi, immersing ourselves in the untamed corners of Pindos.
Greece, a land of ancient history and captivating natural landscapes, beckons adventurous families to explore its diverse hiking trails. Beyond the sun-drenched beaches and iconic ruins, Greece boasts an array of family-friendly hiking routes that showcase its breathtaking terrain, cultural heritage, and geological wonders.
From cascading waterfalls to historic landmarks, these trails offer an immersive experience where families can forge unforgettable memories while discovering the hidden gems of Greece.
In this blog post, we present the top 10 family-friendly hiking routes in Greece, delving into their historical significance, geological marvels, and the best time to visit for optimal hiking adventures.
The past few years, there has been developed numerous new climbing areas such as: Agios Andreas, Agios Petros, Arcadia/Repodina and Voulomeni/Nestani. The most visited area for climbing activities is Leonidio, but certainly paying a visit to Agios Andreas was a great idea.
This new crag was developed near the village of Agios Andreas in Arcadia region, Peloponnese, Greece.
It has been quite some time since the last post here on Olympus Mountaineering, and the reason was the full blown lockdown that was imposed in Greece due to the Covid-19.
Many people that enjoy the outdoor activities were forced to stay indoors, basically in their homes for almost 2 months. Though, since few days, the severe lockdown measures have been partially lifted and therefore I did not loose the chance to go and enjoy the mountains once again. My first choice was Artemisio mountain, which offers stunning landscapes a nice trail to the peak and also some fun if one goes via the Arête of Artemisio.
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.
Continue reading “Hiking in Artemisio Mountain – Artemisio Arête – Post Covid-19 Lockdown”
First time I have visited Mount Kyllini (Ziria), it was during the first snow-fall of 2016. It was a very exciting day, and since then I have visited this mountain various other times but I was always reaching the highest point of Mount Kyllini (Megali Ziria), Simio.
During the last winter season, I had spotted a very nice alpine route on a lower peak of Mount Kyllini, Profitis Elias Peak (2.257 m.). As I always like to explore new alpine routes, and due to the fact I did not find any relative info for that part of mount Kyllini, I have decided to set up my gear and to go and explore the climbing possibilities of the North-West face of Profitis Elias Peak (2.257 m.).
Continue reading “A mixed climbing attempt on Profitis Elias 2.257 | Mount Kyllini (Ziria)”
It is again this time of the year that winter is about to kick in and one of the best ways to explore and enjoy the outdoors is to go for a nice day-hike. Greece, is a very mountainous country and there are plenty of peaks of about 2.000 meters of altitude.
Although we have already been in Mount Parnon previous times, we have decided to visit again this beautiful mountain, once again from a different route. We hiked a steep but beautiful trail which starts from Sitena (Sitaina) village, passes Russa Petra and via the South-to-North ridge we reached Megali Tourla (1.935 m.) which is the highest peak of mount Parnon.
It was around 5.30 in the morning when I woke up in this beautiful landscape, right bellow Madero and Gardiki peaks. As soon I opened my eyes I enjoyed the stunning rock that was just above us. It was from there we abseiled the night before. The moon was just above that rocky face and from the east I could see the first sun beams of this new day.
See Part 01 of Traverse of Arête of Chelmos here
It was very silent with a lovely morning breeze and while I was enjoying the views, I was thinking our wonderful moments of the previous day.
The previous couple of months I was extremely busy and therefore, besides some rock climbing I was not able to dedicate enough time to new mountaineering adventures.
Though, in my calendar, I had booked a specific date that the Mountaineering Club of Athens (EOS Athinon) would organise the famous long Traverse Arête of Chelmos (Aroania)
Aroania, also known as Helmos or Chelmos, is a mountain range in Achaea, Peloponnese, Greece. At 2,355 m elevation, Aroania is the third highest mountain of the Peloponnese, after Taygetus and Kyllini, and the highest in Achaea. The largest town near the mountain is Kalavryta. The municipal unit Aroania took its name from the mountain.
Olympus Mountaineering 