Taygetus Mountain Autumn Ascent (Greece)

While we are approaching winter, we have decided to visit once again one of our favourite mountain ranges of Greece, Taygetus (Taygetos).

Taygetus, is a mountain range in the Peloponnese peninsula in Southern Greece. The highest mountain of the range is Mount Taygetus, also known as the “Profitis Ilias”, or “Prophet Elias”. The name is one of the oldest recorded in Europe, appearing in the Odyssey. In classical mythology, it was associated with the nymph Taygete. During Byzantine times and up until the 19th century, the mountain was also known as “Pentadaktylos” which means “five fingers” in Greek. The name was related to the 5 tops of the mountain range.

For full review with many more photos feel free to see here: https://olympusmountaineering.wordpress.com/2017/11/06/taygetus-mountain-autumn-ascent-via-athanati-rachi/

The Taygetus (Taygetos) Massif is about 100 km (62 mi) long, extending from the center of the Peloponnese to Cape Matapan, its southernmost extremity. It contains the tallest mountain in the Peloponnese, the Profitis Ilias summit, reaching 2,407 m (7,887 ft); this is probably the classical Mount Taléton mentioned by Pausanias.The summit is an ultra prominent peak.

The mountain provides plenty of hiking routes which are well signposted and attract a lot of travellers during the summer period. At the winter the snow makes the climbing quite difficult and special equipment is necessary. One of the most rewarding experiences is reaching the top of the mountain with the chapel of Prophet Elias and the breathtaking view of Peloponnese.

Taygetos Mountain Shleter – Athanati Rachi – Profitis Elias Peak 2.407 m.

For this ascent, we wanted to explore a more difficult and slightly more dangerous route. This route is via Athanati Rachi. Athanati Rachi is one of Pentadaktylos peaks and in order to reach it one has to climb a rather exposed rock face. The climb is considered 5th degree scrambling, but it is very exposed and therefore once should climb carefully.

Details of the climb:

• Location: Taygetos (Greece)
• Starting Point: Maganniaris Spring
• Ending Point: Profitis Elias Peak 2.407 m.
• Minimum Elevation: 980 m
• Maximum Elevation: 2.407 m.
• Elevation Gain: 1.427 m.
• Total Distance: 17.8 km
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Water Features: None during summer and early Autumn

For full review with many more photos feel free to see here: https://olympusmountaineering.wordpress.com/2017/11/06/taygetus-mountain-autumn-ascent-via-athanati-rachi/

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Thanks for sharing!

I love Greece :) Thank you for sharing your Greek adventures along with the wonderful photographs. I'm planning to go on a trip to Nikiti (Greece) this winter (end of January til February). Can`t wait! Should we just grab a taxi, book Nikiti Taxi Transfer ahead of time from a private company (suggestions on one?) or just do metro?  Do you have any advices to give?

Martin Malkov wrote: I love Greece :) Thank you for sharing your Greek adventures along with the wonderful photographs. I'm planning to go on a trip to Nikiti (Greece) this winter (end of January til February). Can`t wait! Should we just grab a taxi, book Nikiti Taxi Transfer ahead of time from a private company (suggestions on one?) or just do metro?  Do you have any advices to give?

Hi Martin, 

On that period of time, Greece is not very busy in terms of tourism and therefore I don't think you will have any issues to find taxi just our from the airport.
Having said that, if you want/wish to have a higher service, then private transfer companies are good too.

Will you be going for some climbing and/or other mountaineering activities while in Greece?