2-day Hiking at Grammos Mountain on Sep. 14-15

Grammos, with its highest peak at 2,520 meters, is the fourth highest mountain in Greece. It is located a few kilometers from the city of Kastoria and "unites" the Prefecture of Kastoria with the Prefecture of Ioannina as well as Western Macedonia with Epirus and also Greece with neighboring Albania.

The Aliakmonas and Sarantaporos rivers flow from its slopes. Steep ravines, mixed forests, subalpine lakes, dense vegetation and rare species of the animal kingdom (brown bear, deer, wild boar, wolf, otter, ibex, woodpecker, golden eagle, bald eagle, birds of prey and other species of wild fauna) make up the majesty of the mountain which is among the most beautiful regions of Europe.

On its outskirts, surrounded by green areas, flowing waters and rare natural wealth, a landscape of unique beauty is formed – an ideal destination for those looking for unforgettable experiences in the majestic nature. After recent records of the rich flora and fauna as well as the rare types of ecosystems it hosts, Grammos was included among the most important bird and bear sanctuaries and is part of the European Union's Natura 2000 Network.

It is worth mentioning the fact that the environmental organization Arktouros has included the wider massif as one of the most important areas in the world for the brown bear (a protected species in Greece and Europe).

Its highest peak is called Čuka Petsik and reaches a height of 2,520m. Without snow it is quite easy to approach as the climb does not require special mountaineering knowledge but with snow things change radically.

Due to the short length of days during winter, in order to reach the summit and return with the sunlight back, one must start the ascent at night. Two of the most famous villages in the area are Aetomilitsa which is located below the peaks of Gesos and Kiafa, as well as the village of Grammousta (Grammos) which is located further north. From the last village, which is even more difficult to reach, it is easier to reach one of the largest alpine lakes in Greece, Lake Gistova.

However, Grammos, apart from its natural beauties, is also known for the battles fought on its slopes between the national army and the rebels (DSE). The national army with a firepower of 90,000 men had to face the 4,500 rebels of Grammos and another 7,500 on Mount Vichy. In collaboration with the Americans, who even dropped test napalm bombs on Grammos, they managed to occupy the entire mountain mass with the last hill being Kamenik, which marked the end of the war phase of the civil war.

Thanks to the very large area of the Grammos complex, the tour possibilities are unlimited. However, the mountainous geography puts many limits on the asphalt road network, and most connections between the valleys are made by dirt roads, often impassable or covered with snow in winter. And so Grammos, in addition to being a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers everywhere, also becomes the favorite place of the off-roaders community.

1st day

Our meeting will take place in the village of Grammos or Grammousta which is built at an altitude of 1,380 meters on the slopes of Mount Grammos and is one of the most mountainous settlements in Greece. We get settled in the guesthouse and prepare for our ascent to the fourth highest mountain in Greece and the peak of Tsouka Petsik or "2520".

Our route on a combination of dirt roads and paths follows a series of smooth meadows to the ridge and from there climbs to the top. From the top we can see Smolika and Tymfi and of course the Greek-Albanian border and get lost in the magic of the area.

Return to the hostel and rest because the next day the exploration of the long-suffering Grammos continues.

8 – 9 hours of hiking.

2nd day

Breakfast at the foot of Grammos and with our cars we head to the village of Aetomilitsa. Our route today will follow an easterly direction through thick vegetation with black pines and beeches, to the subalpine plateaus, where there are two ponds.

These lakes communicate with each other with a 60-meter stream and are known to everyone as Moutsalia lake and are located at an altitude of 1730 m. Then our route climbs with the goal of reaching the top of Arena with an altitude of 2196 m.

The route combined with the dense forests and the relative isolation of the region give us a unique landscape that cannot be found in any other region of our country.

Return to the village for restoration full of special images.

5 hours of hiking

Cost 165 euros / person