Page Type: | Area/Range |
---|---|
Lat/Lon: | 39.50875°N / 21.36069°E |
Activities: | Hiking, Mountaineering, Trad Climbing, Sport Climbing, Toprope, Bouldering, Ice Climbing, Aid Climbing, Big Wall, Mixed, Scrambling, Via Ferrata, Canyoneering, Skiing |
Season: | Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
Elevation: | 8652 ft / 2637 m |
The actual geographic extent of the Pindos mountains is still contested in the scholarship, based on different demarcations of the area such as socio-economic, environmental and other. For the purposes of this page, the geological definition of the mountain range is used, while regional differences and unique aspects are delegated to smaller regional sub-ranges. Which you can find in other Summitpost pages.
Several sources consider Pindos to extend from Smolikas (2,637m) to Timfristos (2,315m), around 250km, yet this definition does not account for the geological similarity which continues all the way South to Githeio Cape. As shown in the figure to the left, the geological definition of the Pindos range is clear, being composed of Ionian, Pindos, and Gavrovo strata (II, IV & III).
Therefore, the Pindos range as a geological feature extends an extraordinary 442km from Grammos (2,520m) to Geitheio.
Ionian Zone
Pindos Zone
Gavrovo Zone
Image | Area Name | Highest Summit | Description |
Aoos Valley | Smolikas (2,637m) | This area begins at the Greek-Albanian border and includes the summits of Grammos, Timfi, Smolikas and, Avgo, among others, it ends in Metsovo & Ioannina. This region is dominated by dense old-growth forests populating the meandering low-slung hills around the larger massifs. With both high elevation and latitude, this area has one of the highest snowfall averages in the country; by springtime, the snowpack feeds into many small rivers and gorges, forming the Aoos river to the North as well as feeding the artificial lakes to the South. | |
Tzoumerka | Kakarditsa (2,429m) | Located South West of Metsovo, this region plays host to some of the largest and steepest mountains in the range. Unlike North Pindus (above), this area is dominated by valleys and long, tall, alpine ridges, featuring lesser forest cover and big headwalls. The region is renowned for its beautiful hikes, demanding rock, mixed and ice, climbing routes as well as some of the most extreme skiing terrain in the country. Therefore, it hosts several mountaineering refuges as well as well-marked trails. Year-round travel to the region may reward visitors with views of majestic waterfalls during spring and summer. Only the skiing area of 'Pertouli' is located here and its serviced terrain is smaller and peripheral to the highest peaks, Kakarditsa and Katafidi. | |
Agrafa | Karava (2,184m) | Located North West of Lake Plastira, the Agrafa mountain complex is renowned for its beautiful vistas, accessible terrain and friendly locals. Agrafa hosts a diverse range of forested and high elevation alpine terrain rising from deep valleys. The higher elevations of this complex, which is anything but the Eastern foothills around Lake Plastira, are less frequented and have extremely step approaches making them a tough hiking objective. | |
South Pindus | Giona (2,510m) | This section includes the mountains of Timfristos, Kaliakouda as well as Vardousia, Giona, Oiti and Parnassos. These mountains are different but generally can be described as being more spread out and having significant prominence from the surrounding area. Excluding Oiti, all other major summits have significant alpine sections. The terrain is usually defined by large open alpine areas and heavily forested valleys, which are fed by plentful snowfall during the winter months. | |
Northern & Central Peloponnese | Killini (2,374m) | The area of the Northern Peloponnese, including the summits of Kilini (2,374m), Chelmos (2,355m), and Mainalo (1,981m). The Northernmost mountains are dominated by their large rocky faces which are a result of the earthquake activity in the nearby rift of the Halcyon Islands. The Northern aspects of these mountains are more temperate due to proximity with the sea, however, to the South, including Mainalo, the conditions are cooler and wetter, making it an area of extensive forest cover and abundant wildlife. | |
Taygetos | Taygetos (2,407m) |
The mountain range of Tygetos (2,407m) begins South the city of Tripoli in the center of the Peloponnese and continues all the way to Gytheio Cape. It is dominated by the imposing Taygetos ridgeline traversing N-S and has thick warm weather forests of pine and fir at lower elevations. Taygetos is one of the dryest mountains in Greece, but can often be inundated by winter storms. |
Rank [1] | Mountain | Summit | Elevation (m) | Image | Coordinates | Difficulty [2] |
2 | Smolikas | Smolikas | 2,637m | 40.0888N, 20.9252E | Easy | |
4 | Grammos | Tsouka Petsik | 2,520m | 40.3480N, 20.7794E | Hard | |
5 | Giona | Pyramid | 2,510m | 38.6472N, 22.2528E | Medium | |
6 | Timfi | Gkamila | 2,497m | 39.9880N, 20.8085E | Hard | |
7 | Vardousia | Korakas | 2,495m | 38.6799N, 22.1443E | Medium | |
8 | Parnassus | Liakoura | 2,457m | 38.5343N, 22.6222E | Medium | |
11 | South Tzoumerka | Kakarditsa | 2,429m | 39.5271N, 21.2005E | Hard | |
12 | Taygetos | Profitis Ilias | 2,407m | 36.9530N, 22.3504E | Medium | |
13 | East Tzoumerka | Katafidi | 2,393m | 39.4298N, 21.1478E | Hard | |
14 | Zireia | Killini | 2,376m | 37.9387N, 22.3956E | Medium | |
15 | Chelmos | Aroania | 2,340m | 37.9717N, 22.2007E | Easy | |
16 | Varnous | Gkarvani | 2,334m | 40.8734N, 21.2429E | Hard | |
17 | Timfristos | Velouchi | 2,315m | 38.9437N, 21.8243E | Easy | |
18 | Lakmos | Tsoukarela | 2,295m | 39.6838N, 21.1228E | Medium | |
19 | Vasilitsa | Vasilitsa | 2,249m | 40.0344N, 21.0787E | Easy | |
23 | Nemertsika | Dousko | 2,207m | 40.0674N, 20.4729E | N/A | |
25 | Agrafa | Karava | 2,184m | 39.3116N, 21.5574E | N/A | |
26 | Lygkos | Avgo | 2,177m | 39.9252N, 21.0957E | N/A | |
27 | Agrafa | Delmidi | 2,163m | 39.2187N, 21.5606E | N/A | |
28 | Agrafa | Voutsikaki | 2,154m | 39.2802N, 21.6304E | N/A | |
30 | Oiti | Pyrgos (Tower) | 2,152m | 38.7919N, 22.2552E | Hard | |
31 | Agrafa | Avgo | 2,148m | 39.4895N, 21.3835E | N/A | |
35 | Kaliakouda | Kaliakouda | 2,101m | 38.7959N, 21.7588E | Medium |
Due to its extensive network of snow-capped mountains and, high levels of precipitation, the Pindos range is home to several imposing Gorges including the world-famous Vikos Gorge in the North, providing excellent conditions for activities such as canyoneering, rafting, climbing and hiking.
Name | Image | Description | River | Mountain | Rafting |
Aoos Gorge | The Aoos Gorge flows E-W north of Timfi and south of Smolikas near the Greek border city of Konitsa. While less popular and accessible by car, unlike Vikos, it is still one of the most imposing and naturally diverse valleys in the country. | Aoos | Timfi & Smolikas | No | |
Vikos Gorge | Widely regarded as one of Europe's most imposing gorges, with the 'Voidomatis' (Blue-eyed) river, named after its beautiful hue, flowing through it towards the NW. The gorge is one of the deepest and narrowest in the world at certain points. The gorge walls reach a height of 1,300m from the gorge bottom, with a width of fewer than 5 meters. Visitors can engage in all sorts of activities in and around the gorge, such as hiking, rafting, climbing and swimming. | Voidomatis (Voje) | Timfi | Yes | |
Aspropotamos Valley |
The valley and gorge of Aspropotamos, starting from the village of Chaliki, on the foothills of Lakmos, is one of the most remote and unexplored valleys in the country. Nestled in the center of the Pindos Mountains, access is difficult and cumbersome. For those willing to make the trek, the gorge and valley offer exceptional views into the geology of the Pindos unit. |
Acheoloos | Lakmos | No | |
Arachthos Gorge |
The valley and gorge of Arachthos River, East of Tzoumerka, is an impressive, important, and popular, natural wonder. With Arachthos being one of the largest rivers in the country by waterflow, the accompanying gorge is cut within sheer limestone rock, creating massive cliffs. It is as narrow as 15m in some places, and can be traversed on popular rafting expeditions, taking around 5 hours. Its Southern-end, near the Bridge of Plaka – Greece’s second largest arched bridge, was the border between Greece and the Ottoman Empire for 40 years, claiming the name of the Iron Gates of Epirus. |
Arachthos | Tzoumerka | Yes | |
Agrafiotis Valley | Agrafiotis | Agrafa | No | ||
Panta-Vrexei Gorge | Krikeliotis | Kaliakouda | No | ||
Megali Kleisoura Canyon | Akarnian Mountains | No | |||
Reka Gorge | Reka | Giona | No | ||
Vouraikos Gorge | Vouraikos | Chelmos | No | ||
Flambouritsa Valley | Flambouritsa | Zireia | No | ||
Lousios Gorge | Lousios | Mainalon | Yes | ||
Rintomo Gorge | Rintomo | Taygetos | No |
Name | Elevation | Coordinates | Type | Mountain | Area |
Gistova Lake | 2,350m | 40.3643N, 20.7905E | Permanent | Grammos | 8.000sqm |
Dragon Lake Smolikas | 2,200m | 40.0900N, 20.9091E | Permanent | Smolikas | 3.500sqm |
Mosia Lake | 2,150m | 40.0894N, 20.9586E | Permanent | Smolikas | 5.000sqm |
Verliga Lake | 2,050m | 39.6729N, 21.1283E | Seasonal | Lakmos | up to 10.000sqm |
Timfi 'Drakolimni' | 2,050m | 39.9940N, 20.7866E | Permanent | Timfi |
8.500sqm
|
Vatheia Laka | 1,950m | 38.6519N, 22.2586E | Seasonal | Giona | N/A |
Flenga Lakes | 1,950m | 39.8756N, 21.1218E | Permanent | Mavrovouni | 5.000sqm |
Padi Lake | 1,900m | 39.3172N, 21.5631E | Seasonal | Karava | 10.000sqm |
Velouchi Lake | 1,870m | 38.9428N, 21.7989E | Seasonal | Timfristos | 3.000Sqm |
Distrato Lake | 1,750m | 40.0553N, 21.0704E | Permanent | Vasilitsa | 8.000sqm |
Arenon Lake | 1,740m | 40.3074N, 20.9133E | Permanent | Grammos | 15.000sqm |
Arvanitsa Lakes | 1,450m | 39.9533N, 20.8851E | Permanent | Timfi | 9.000sqm |
Stefaniada | 700m | 39.2647N, 21.4954E | Permanent | Delmidi | 130.000sqm |
The most popular greek alpine lake is the permanent "Dragonlake" on Timfi mountain, located at 2000m, right on the cusp of large north-facing cliffs. A 2-hour hike from the Timfi refuge, providing incredible views of the Aoos Valley, the lake has become an international hiking destination. Its name is derived from the species of Alpine Newts which resides in the lake. Due to its elevation and placement, the lake successfully freezes during the winter with it being possible to ice-skate on its surface during cold spells.
"Vathia Laka" of Giona is one of the most impressive. Forming right under the 500m tall pyramid North aspect, the dramatic views complement the seasonal lake which forms from April till July/August. Unlike permanent lakes certain alpine lakes, including this one, create run-offs of drinkable water (always check for contamination by yourself) which make excursions into the range during warmer days easier.
Greece currently has 12 national parks, 5 of which are part of the Pindos mountain range.
National Park | Established in | Area (ha) | Go for | Image |
Prespes Lakes | 1974 | 19,740 | Birdwatching, history & culture. | |
Vikos-Aoos | 1973 | 12,600 | Hiking, Climbing, rafting and general outdoor activities. | |
Oiti Mountain | 1966 | 7,210 | Hiking, mountaineering and cat skiing. | |
Pindus Mountains | 1966 | 6,927 | Hiking, mountaineering, and general outdoor activities. | |
Parnassus Mountain | 1938 | 3,513 | Hiking & mountaineering. |
You can camp freely anywhere in the range, although try to avoid camping under the treeline during summer since there is a high fire risk. It is recommended that you camp above the treeline and don't leave any trash.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_parks_of_Greece
http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/#
http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/nature/canyons