Trekking in Greece - Görögország túrakönyv

The Peloponnese and Pindos Way

Guidebook describing challenging treks in the mountains of Greece, traversing the Pindhos Range, near Athens, and the Peloponnese, plus a handful of shorter routes including Mount Olympus. The treks demand a high level of commitment and fitness due to their remoteness and difficult terrain, and boast stunning unspoilt scenery.

Seasons

June-Sept is the most settled period for weather, and not too hot in the mountains; snow Nov-April in the mountains.

Centres

Karpenísi, Métsovo, Ámfissa, Trípoli, Dhíakhofto, Sparta, Áyios Nikólaos

Difficulty

demanding rather than technically difficult; suitable for fit and experienced walkers; remote: navigation skills essential

Must See

traverse of the Pindos, Mt Olympus, Mt Khelmós, Mt Párnonas, beautiful scenery, rich flora and cultural interest

Contents

Introduction

Traditional mountain life

A little history

Flowers and wildlife

Navigation and maps

Sleeping and eating

Dogs

Getting on with people

Weather and when to go

What to take

Emergency services

Access to the mountains

Using this guide

Part 1 The Peloponnese Way

Section 1 Dhiakoftó to Trípoli

Stage 1 Dhiakoftó to Méga Spílio monastery

Stage 2 Méga Spílio monastery to Áno Lousí

Stage 3 Áno Lousí to Tourládha

Stage 4 Near Tourládha to Dhára

Stage 5 Nimfasía to Vitína

Stage 6 Vitína to Kardharás or Kápsia

Stage 7 Kardharás or Kápsia to Trípoli

Section 2 Trípoli to Pantazí beach

Stage 8 Psilí Vrísi to Áyios Pétros

Stage 9 Malevís convent to Vamvakoú

Stage 10 Vamvakoú to Paleogoulás

Stage 11 Mistrás to Anavrití

Stage 12 Anavrití to Taïgetos mountain refuge

Stage 13 Taïgetos mountain refuge to Árna

Stage 14 Árna to Pantazí beach

Part 2 The Píndos Way

Section 1 Ámfissa to Karpenísi

Stage 1 Ámfissa to Víniani and Reká ravine

Stage 2 Mt Ghióna: Víniani to Láka Karvoúni refuge

Stage 3 Láka Karvoúni refuge to Sikiá

Stage 4 Sikiá to Athanásios Dhiákos/Áno Mousounítsa

Stage 5 Mt Vardhoúsia: Athanásios Dhiákos/Áno Mousounítsa to Yiourtáki sheepfold

Stage 6 Yiourtáki sheepfold to Mt Oxiá/Sarádena refuge

Stage 7 Mt Oxiá/Sarádena refuge to Kokália obelisk/Rákhes Timfristoú

Stage 8 Kokália obelisk/Rákhes Timfristoú to Karpenísi

Section 2 Karpenísi to Mesokhóra

Stage 9 Karpenísi to Kerasokhóri

Stage 10 Kerasokhóri to Varvariádha

Stage 11 Varvariádha to Epinianá

Stage 12 Epinianá to Spiliá monastery

Stage 13 Spiliá monastery to Petrotó

Stage 14 Petrotó to Kalí Kómi

Stage 15 Kalí Kómi to Moskhófito

Stage 15A Kalí Kómi to Mirófilo

Stage 16 Moskhófito to Mesokhóra

Stage 16A Mirófilo to Mesokhóra

Section 3 Mesokhóra to Métsovo

Stage 17 Mesokhóra to Gardhíki or Athamanía

Stage 18 Gardhíki or Athamanía to Matsoúki

Stage 19 Matsoúki to Kalarítes

Stage 20A Kalarítes to Khalíki ridge route

Stage 21 Khalíki to Métsovo

Section 4 Métsovo to the Albanian border

Stage 22 Métsovo to Vália Kálda

Stage 23 Vália Kálda to Vovoúsa

Stage 24 Vovoúsa to Dhístrato

Stage 24A Link: Vovoúsa to Skamnéli

Stage 25 Dhístrato to Samarína

Stage 25A Dhístrato to Palioséli

Stage 26 Samarína to Dhrakólimni

Stage 26A Palioséli to Dhrakólimni

Stage 27 Dhrakólimni to Ayía Paraskeví/Kerásovo

Stage 28 Ayía Paraskeví/Kerásovo to Kefalokhóri

Stage 29 Kefalokhóri to Aetomilítsa/Dénsko

Stage 30 Aetomilítsa/Dénsko to Mt Grámos summit

Part 3 Zagóri and Mt Gamíla

Stage 1 Tsepélovo to Kípi via Kapésovo and Koukoúli

Stage 1A Tsepélovo to Kípi via Khadzíou bridge

Stage 2 Kípi to Monodhéndhri

Stage 3 Monodhéndhri to Pápingo via Víkos gorge

Stage 4 Pápingo to Astráka refuge

Stage 5 Astráka refuge to Tsepélovo or Kapésovo

Stage 5A Astráka refuge to Kónitsa

Stage 6 Skamnéli to Kónitsa

Part 4 Mt Olympus

Stage 1 Priónia to Spílios Agapitós/Refuge A

Stage 2 Spílios Agapitós/Refuge A to Mítikas and Yiósos Apostolídhis/Refuge B

Stage 3 Yiósos Apostolídhis/Refuge B to Priónia

Stage 4 Priónia to Litókhoro

Appendix A Route summary tables

Appendix B Glossary

Appendix C Further reading

Appendix D Useful contacts