Pindos

Page Type Page Type: Area/Range
Location Lat/Lon: 39.50875°N / 21.36069°E
Activities Activities: Hiking, Mountaineering, Trad Climbing, Sport Climbing, Toprope, Bouldering, Ice Climbing, Aid Climbing, Big Wall, Mixed, Scrambling, Via Ferrata, Canyoneering, Skiing
Seasons Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Additional Information Elevation: 8652 ft / 2637 m
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Page Duality

You can see that there exist two pages for the Pindos Mountains; here is the other. I have created this page since the other page has not been edited since April 25 2008. I have requested the page and so far have not gotten a response. That page and user have been inactive for a long time. Thus I took it upon myself to create a complete Pindos page.
Thank you.

Definition of Pindos

Geological Map of Greece
Geological Map of Greece

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

 

 

Mountain Range Regions

The Pindus mountain range spans the entire length of Greece, from the Albanian border to the South Aegean. In the interactive map (below) key features discussed on this page, such as summits, alpine lakes and snow centres are placed. From North to South, the range is divided into several sections. The map includes several secondary smaller summits of interest throughout the range. Some specific complexes and peaks are worth exploring in detail, which you can do by clicking on their page on SummitPost, the links will be provided where available.

Interactive Map


 
 
Image Area Name Highest Summit Description
Χωριά Ασπροποτάμου - Travel - Athinorama.gr 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.

List of Highest Mountains

Rank [1] Mountain Summit Elevation (m) Image Coordinates Difficulty [2]
2 Smolikas Smolikas 2,637m Smolikas and Drakolimni 40.0888N, 20.9252E Easy
4 Grammos Tsouka Petsik 2,520m undefined 40.3480N, 20.7794E Hard
5 Giona Pyramid 2,510m Pyramide 38.6472N, 22.2528E Medium
6 Timfi Gkamila 2,497m Timfi Peak 39.9880N, 20.8085E Hard
7 Vardousia Korakas 2,495m undefined 38.6799N, 22.1443E Medium
8 Parnassus Liakoura 2,457m Parnassos in Winter. 38.5343N, 22.6222E Medium
11 South Tzoumerka Kakarditsa 2,429m undefined 39.5271N, 21.2005E Hard
12 Taygetos Profitis Ilias 2,407m Profitis Hlias Summit Pyramd 36.9530N, 22.3504E Medium
13 East Tzoumerka Katafidi 2,393m undefined 39.4298N, 21.1478E Hard
14 Zireia Killini 2,376m Unnamed Image 37.9387N, 22.3956E Medium
15 Chelmos Aroania 2,340m
37.9717N, 22.2007E Easy
16 Varnous Gkarvani 2,334m undefined 40.8734N, 21.2429E Hard
17 Timfristos Velouchi 2,315m 38.9437N, 21.8243E Easy
18 Lakmos Tsoukarela 2,295m undefined 39.6838N, 21.1228E Medium
19 Vasilitsa Vasilitsa 2,249m Vasilitsa with snow 40.0344N, 21.0787E Easy
23 Nemertsika Dousko 2,207m 40.0674N, 20.4729E N/A
25 Agrafa Karava 2,184m undefined 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 undefined 39.4895N, 21.3835E N/A
35 Kaliakouda Kaliakouda 2,101m undefined 38.7959N, 21.7588E Medium
 
[1] Rank is derived from a list of Greece's highest mountains.
[2] The expected difficulty of the easiest route during the best possible hiking conditions. Please read more about each summit before attempting. 
 
 

List of Canyons & Valleys

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

Alpine Lakes

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

Notable Lakes

"Dragon lake" of Timfi, one of the most popular in Greece.

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" seasonal lake of Giona.

 

 

 

"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.

 

The Dragon Lakes

 

National Parks

 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.
 

Refuges & Camping

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.

The Pindos Way - Long Distance Trail

 

External Links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_parks_of_Greece
http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/#
http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/nature/canyons



Children

Children

Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. For example, the Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' The Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children.