2days Hiking in Giona on Jul. 19-20

In the heart of Roumeli - in the prefecture of Fokida - between the bustling Parnassos, the steep Vardousia and the playful Oiti stands the imposing and majestic massif of Giona.

Its highest point, the Pyramid, reaches an altitude of 2,510 m, which ranks it as the fifth highest mountain in Greece after Olympus, Smolika, Vora or Kaimaktsalan and Grammos, and the highest mountain in Greece south of Olympus .

In Giona is also the famous steep slope of Plaka, near the village of Sykia. It is the largest and most beautiful of the Balkans, with an altitude difference of approximately 1,100 m.

On this vertical slope, as on others of the mountain, important climbing routes have been opened, of various degrees of difficulty and techniques. The climbing routes in Giona are among the most difficult in Greece and attract interest from abroad as well.

In ancient times it was called Aselenon Oros. According to mythology, the Moon went to meet Endymion, son of Pyrrha and Deucalion, on the slopes of Giona, thus leaving the world without a moon. This is how the highest mountain of Roumeli got its name.

Giona, with a purely alpine character, forms part of the southern end of the Pindos mountain range and joins Parnassos to the east, the Vardousia mountains to the west and Oiti to the north. To the south it joins the low hill complex called the Lidoriki Mountains.

Its sides towards Lidoriki are overgrown with firs and cedars (junipers), in the ravines there are maples, while in the clearings there are wild flowers and wild roses. In its forests live wild animals, wolves (it is the southernmost point of their distribution in Greece), wild boars, deer and wild goats, while on its steep slopes birds of prey such as vultures and golden eagles fly. It also has many pastures that support sheep and goats. Although the combination of the meadows with the vertical vertical slopes mainly in the west, compose a distinct landscape aesthetic and are a refuge for wildlife, on the north, east and south sides of the mountain there are bauxite mining mines that affect the image of the mountain.

Giona is divided in two by the deep ravine of Reka that enters the main body of the mountain from the east, while the ravine of Lazo runs through the mountain from north to south, parallel to Morno, in the west. Giona, compared to Vardousia across from it, could be described as an arid mountain. It has no rivers, the springs are relatively few and many of them dry up in the summer, especially in the east and south.

1st day

Our meeting will take place at 09:00 in the village of Kalskopi and from there with our cars we will try to approach the site of the monuments 1350m altitude (if the condition of the road network allows it) from where we will start our hiking excursion.

Time to load our backpacks and camping equipment and start our ascent to Vathia Laka at about 1840 m. In the first km of our hike we walk through the fir trees and then the alpine landscape makes its appearance with the stream accompanies even the place where we will camp.

It's time to start setting up our tents and enjoy the Pyramid under the starlight.

4 – 5 hours of hiking.

2nd day

Morning coffee in the meadow of Vathia Laka with the top of the Pyramid waiting for us to discover it. We take the necessary things for our ascent to the top and walk to Diaselo Platyvounas-Pyramidas at about 2175m altitude.

From this point our path becomes more uphill and rocky but with the view it gives us it becomes pleasant and will take us to the top of the fifth highest mountain in Greece at 2510 m.

The view from the top is panoramic and able to compensate even the most demanding climber. Back for some rest at the campsite and then down to our cars full of unique mountain experiences.

6 – 7 hours of hiking

Cost 165 euros / person