The Ultimate Guide of Hiking and Mountaineering in Greece

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.

The climate is Mediterranean, very dry in summer with high temperature variations between day and night. Snow will be encountered in most of the mountains from November to June.

Few people know about the varied and extensive mountain regions of Greece. Apart from Mt.Olympus at 2917m, Greece has more than 30 mountain peaks above 2000m. Gifted with mild Mediterranean weather and sunshine, landscapes with amazing sea views, ragged gorges, crystal clear rivers, Greek mountains are a hidden paradise for trekking enthusiasts. One of the most “alpine” type of mountain range in Greece is Vardousia. Vardousia offers many different hiking and mountaineering routes, as well climbing and ice-climbing opportunities.

Almost all trekking activities can be combined with cultural visits in archaeological sites, such as Delphi bellow Parnassus Mountain, Sanctuary of Hera under the peak of Geraneia Mountain range.

One of the most common questions people from abroad Greece have, is where to find information, maps and guides about Greek mountains and trekking routes. There are some official online resources, but some of them are “work in progress“, some are not fully detailed and some other resources are only in Greek language (www.pezoporia.gr).

Maps, Digital Maps and GPX files of Greece

The best printed maps for Greek hiking are those of Anavasi, which include a superimposed GGRS87 (Greek Geodetic Reference System 1987) grid. If GGRS87 is not listed in your GPS device, then use the following settings (grid describes the transverse mercator projection from latitude-longitude to GGRS87 northing-easting coordinates, datum describes the Molodensky transformation from WGS84 ellipsoid to GGRS87 ellipsoid):

• User Grid: Longitude origin=+24.0E, Scale=.9996, False Easting=+500,000, False Northing=0
• User Datum: Dx=-199.87, Dy=74.79, Dz=246.62, Da=0, Df=0

Map Sources (Greece)

• Anavasi sells also digital maps of Greece, which can be used on the Etrex 20 GPS receiver as well as Iphone/Android.
• Another great source of digital maps of Greece is Pegasus. Pegasus offers free of charge maps of Greece and Cyprus which includes many detailed hiking trails. The Pegasus maps are not as detailed as the ones of Anavasi, but Pegasus is offering everything free of charge.
• OpenStreetMaps is one more open source and most of all free source of digital maps. For the ones having a Garmin device, can simply visit this website and download the digital map of their interest.
• This website offers general and hiking maps of Greece. Though, I have never purchased any of their products, thus, I can not provide any further information.
• Finally, one of the best map sources I ever came across is the old Soviet Army maps. The only minor issue of those maps is the Russian language used on the maps. Other than that, the Soviet Maps are perhaps the most detailed maps ever created.
• For the ones that already have digital maps installed on their device, a great resource of trails is WikiLoc. WikiLoc, currently has more than 17.000 registered trails on their system. You have see more here.

Mountaineering and Climbing clubs in Greece.

Greece has plenty of mountaineering and climbing associations and clubs. All the mountaineering associations are under the umbrella of the Greek Mountaineering and Rock-Climbing Association (Ε.Ο.Ο.Α.)

All necessary information on mountain routes and paths/trails, access to them, facilities, mountain shelters throughout the country, organized excursions and local conditions for hiking, mountain-climbing and rock-climbing is provided by the Greek Mountaineering and Rock-Climbing Association (Ε.Ο.Ο.Α.) and local hiking and mountaineering clubs.

E.O.O.A. also provides a great source of materials and library to its members. More about it on this following link.

In parallel with all mountaineering and climbing association in Greece, there are many private groups that organise hiking activities in Greece and not only. Those groups are mainly organised via Facebook or their own website. Therefore, a quick search on Google and/or Facebook will provide you a bigger insight on these private groups.

Mountain Refuges in Greece

Bellow a list with the most visited mountain refuges in Greece. A map of pretty much all mountain refuges in Greece can be found here. Bellow a list with detailed information of every mountain refuge.

MOUNTAIN	PLACE	ELEVATION	BEDS	INFORMATIONS	TEL.
VARDOUSIA	Pitimaliko	1750	16	Ε.Ο.Σ. Άμφισσας	2265285777
VARDOUSIA	Pitimaliko	1800	20	Πεζ. Ομ. Αθηνών	2103634549
VASILITSA	Diaselo Gomaras	1900	12	Χ.Ο.Χ. Γρεβενών	.
VELOUXI	Diavolotopos	1840	40	Ε.Ο.Σ. Καρπενησίου	2237023051
VERMIO	Kato Vermio	1365	18	Ε.Ο.Σ. Ναούσης	2332028567
VERMIO	Seli	1450	60	Ε.Ο.Σ. Θεσ/νίκης	2310278288
VERMIO	Laka Mire	1450	80	Σ.Χ.Ο. Βέροιας	2331026970
VERMIO	Tria Pigadia	1450	35	Ε.Ο.Σ. Ναούσης	2332028567
VERMIO	Tria Pigadia	1470	60	Ε.Ο.Σ. Ναούσης	2332028567
VITSI	Vigla Pisoderiou	1650	60	Σ.Ο.Χ. Φλωρίνης	2385029939
VRODOY	Lai LIA	1500	100	Ε.Ο.Σ. Παπίγκου	2653241138
GAMILA	Diaselo Astrakas	1950	28	Πεζ. Ομ. Αθηνών	2103634549
GKIONA	Laka Karvouni	1950	30	Ε.Ο.Σ. Χαλκίδας	2221025230
DIRFI	Liri	1150	50	Ε.Ο.Σ. Αιγίου	2691025285
ZIRIA	Portes (Β΄)	1700	14	Ε.Ο.Σ. Κορινθίου	2741029970
ZIRIA	Oropedia (Α΄)	1550	20	Ο.Φ.Υ. Λαμίας	2231022814
KALLIDROMO	.	1000	30	.	.
KITHERONAS	Petalo (Vag. Tsakos)	1130	26	Ε.Ο.Σ. Ελευσίνας	2105546572
KISSAVOS	Kanalos	1600	35	Ε.Ο.Σ. Λαρίσης	2410220097
KOZIAKAS	(Xatzipetros)	1740	15	Ε.Μ.Ο. Τρικάλων	24310278500
WHITE MOUNTAINS	VOLIKAS (A’)	1340	35	Ε.Ο.Σ. Χανίων	2821044647
WHITE MOUNTAINS	KALLERGI (Β΄)	1680	50	Ε.Ο.Σ. Χανίων	2821044647
WHITE MOUNTAINS	SVOURIXTI (Γ’)	1950	25	Ε.Ο.Σ. Χανίων	2821044647
WHITE MOUNTAINS	TAURI (Δ’)	1200	40	Ε.Ο.Σ. Χανίων	2821044647
MENALO	Plateau Ostrakinas	1540	16	Ε.Ο.Σ. Τριπόλεως	2710232243
MITSIKELI	Vrisi Paleochori	1400	28	Ε.Ο.Σ. Ιωαννίνων	2651022138
ITI	Trapeza	1850	24	Ε.Ο.Σ. Λαμίας	2231026786
ITI	Pauliani	1030	36	Φ.Ο. Αθ. “ΦΟΙΒΟΣ”	2103234461
OLYMPOS	Stauros (Δ΄)	950	30	Ε.Ο.Σ. Θεσ/νίκης	2310278288
OLYMPOS	Vrisopoules (Β΄)	1900	50	ΚΕΟΑΧ Ολύμπου	2410228915
OLYMPOS	(Sp. Agapitos Α΄)	2100	80	Ε.Ο.Σ. Λιτοχώρου	2352081944
OLYMPOS	Plateau Mouson  (Kakalos)	2650	15	Ε.Ο.Σ. Κατερίνης	2351023102
OLYMPOS	Plateau Mouson   (Giosios Apostolidis)	2740	80	Σ.Ε.Ο. (Θεσ/νίκης)	2310224710
OKSIA	Karvounolaka	1700	40	Ε.Ο.Σ. Λαμίας	22310224710
OXI	Kastanologgos	1030	20	ΟΕΣΕ	2224022378
PAGGAIO	Vlahika Kalivia	1550	25	Ε.Ο.Σ. Καβάλας	2510835952
PAGGAIO	Koilada Orfea	1750	.	Ε.Ο.Σ. Καβάλας	2510835952
PAIKO	Tourkiki Vrisi	1450	40	Β.Α.Ο. Θεσ/νίκης	2310270379
PANACHAIKO	Psarthi	1500	40	Ε.Ο.Σ. Πατρών	2610273912
PANACHAIKO	Prasoudi	1800	10	Ε.Ο.Σ. Πατρών	2610273912
PARNASSOS	Saradari	1900	20	Ε.Ο.Σ.Αμφίκλειας	2234022640
PARNITHA	Varibobi	600	12	Ε.Ο.Σ. Αθήνων	2103212429
PARNITHA	Bafi	1160	50	Ε.Ο.Σ. Αθηνών	2103212429
PARNITHA	Flabouri	1160	40	Ε.Ο.Σ. Αχαρνών	2102461528
PARNONAS	Arnomousga	1450	35	Ε.Ο.Σ Σπάρτης	2731022574
PILIO	Zagora	480	16	Ε.Ο.Σ. Βόλου	2421025696
PILIO	Chania (Pileus)	1200	33	Ε.Ο.Σ. Βόλου	2421025696
PILIO	Chania	1250	40	Φ.Ο.Βόλου	2421024290
PILIO	Agrioleukes	1350	80	Ε.Ο.Σ. Βόλου	2421025696
PIERIA	Ano Milia	1050	62	Ε.Ο.Σ. Κάτερινης	2351023102
PIERIA	Bara	1900	100	Σ.Ε.Ο. Κοζάνης	2461025909
PIERIA	Lagomana	1460	40	Ε.Ο.Σ. Κοζάνης	2461025600
PIERIA	Sarakatsana	1680	80	Σ.Ε.Ο. Κατερίνης	2351031311
PIERIA	Giourtia	1435	40	Ο.Σ. Βελβενδού	2464031884
TAIGETOS	Varvara	1600	28	Ε.Ο.Σ. Σπάρτης	2731022574
FALAKRO	Bardiseva (Α’)	1140	16	Ε.Ο.Σ. Δράμας	2521023054
FALAKRO	Kiouri (Γ’)	1400	16	Ε.Ο.Σ. Δράμας	2521023054
FALAKRO	Xoros (Β’)	1700	20	Ε.Ο.Σ. Δράμας	2521023054
HELMOS	Pouliou Vrisi	2100	16	Σ.Ο.Χ. Καλαβρύτων	2692022346
HORTIATIS		1000	45	Σ.Ε.Ο. Θεσ/νίκης	2310224710
PSILORITIS	Prinos	1100	14	Σ.Ο.Χ. Ηρακλείου	2810227609
PSILORITIS	Toubotos Prinos	1500		Ε.Ο.Σ. Ρεθύμνου	2831022710

Mountain Refuge Regulations in Greece.

• 1. The mountain refuges are not Tourists’ Kiosks, Hotels or Centres of Amusement. They were built in order to serve mountaineering and Skiing in the expeditions to the White Mountains
• 2. In the mountain refuges IT IS NOT ALLOWED:
• a) to enter with your climbing shoes on (in the lobbies you can find slippers)
• b) to bring food or refreshments in the dormitories
• c) to gamble
• d) to drink alcohol
• e) to smoke in the dining rooms and the dormitories.
• f) to use the cooker ( the appliances can only be used by the leader or any other person who has the permission to do so)
• g) to enter the refuge with hunting guns, other arms, game or dogs
• h) to use transistor radios, cassette players etc (on the contrary a lot of singing is allowed)
• 3. The time of sleeping and relaxation is 10pm. The leader has the right to change it, depending on the program of the next day.
• 4•The generator (where there is one), is turned off at 10 pm.
• 5•Whoever stays in the mountain refuge, no matter his position, age or sex, has the same obligations to keep the place clean, and implement the regulations of the refuges.
• 6. The mountain refuges were built with great personal effort. Everything inside them has been transported and made with hard work and a lot of money is spent.

That’s why they need your care and your love, to keep them always ready to receive the friends of the mountain.

TOP 10 Highest Mountains in Greece

Peak	Height		Mountain range	Regional unit
	m	ft
Olympus	2,917	9,570	Olympus	Larissa, Pieria
Smolikas	2,637	8,652	Pindus	Ioannina
Kaimaktsalan	2,524	8,281	Voras	Florina, Pella
Gramos	2,520	8,268	Pindus	Ioannina, Kastoria
Giona	2,510	8,235	Pindus	Phocis
Tymfi	2,497	8,192	Pindus	Ioannina
Vardousia (Korakas)	2,495	8,186	Pindus	Ioannina, Trikala
Parnassus	2,457	8,061	Pindus	Boeotia, Phthiotis
Ida (Psiloreitis)	2,456	8,058	Ida	Rethymno
Lefka Ori	2,452	8,045	Lefka Ori	Chania

Mountaineering/Climbing Equipment Stores in Greece

In Greece there are not many dedicated stores for mountaineering and climbing activities. Most of the “heavy duty” Greek mountaineers shop from the internet or when they go abroad on mountaineering expeditions. This is happening because the local stores do not provide a large selection of products. The range of products they have is rather small and relatively more expensive compared to other countries. Nevertheless, bellow a list of the most interesting stores that provide mountaineering, climbing and hiking clothing and equipment.

• Alpamayo Pro
• Xtreme Pro
• The Wall
• V15 store
• Polo Store

Search and Rescue in Greece

The Hellenic Rescue Team (H.R.T.) is a Non Governmental Search and Rescue Organisation, whose members have participated voluntarily in operations since 1978, while it has functioned as an association since 1994.

With a workforce of more than 2,500 volunteers throughout Greece, the Hellenic rescue team participates in search and rescue operations in emergency situations and mass destructions, wherever they take place, both in Greece and abroad, and is staffed by volunteers with professional conscience and excellent training.

On an operational level there are two Directorates – Operations and of Training – which have their headquarters in the Central Administration of the HRT in Thessaloniki, while, simultaneously, specialised departments operate in each branch throughout the Greek territory.

Operations Centre (24 hours) call 0030 2310 310649

Fire Fighters Rescue team (24 hours) call 199

112 is the common emergency telephone number that can be dialed free of charge from most mobile telephones and, in some countries, fixed telephones in order to reach emergency services (ambulance, fire and rescue, police). 112 is a part of the GSM standard and all GSM-compatible telephone handsets are able to dial 112 even when locked or with no SIM card present.

Weather and Climate in Greece

The climate in Greece is predominantly Mediterranean. However, due to the country’s unique geography, Greece has a remarkable range of micro-climates and local variations. To the west of the Pindus mountain range, the climate is generally wetter and has some maritime features. The east of the Pindus mountain range is generally drier and windier in summer. The highest peak is Mount Olympus, 2,918 metres (9,573 ft). The north areas of Greece have a transitional climate between the continental and the Mediterranean climate. There are mountainous areas that have an alpine climate.

In this climate, the winter is harsh with abundant snowfalls, while the summers are cool with frequent thunderstorms. This climate is to be found on high mountains, like Pindus and Rhodope. Few meteorological stations are in areas with a truly Alpine Mediterranean climate in Greece and these are not available online.

• Abs. minimum temperature: −27.8 °C (−18.0 °F), Ptolemaida.
• Abs. maximum temperature: 48.0 °C (118.4 °F), Elefsina and Tatoi.

 

This post provides an almost ultimate guide on online and not only sources of information for mountaineering (hiking, trekking, climbing) activities in Greece. If you have questions, feel free to get in touch with us. Equally, if you have any suggestions or you would like to provide us additional information on this post, we will be happy to hear from you via the contact form.