2 Days Hiking mount Taygetos summit at 2407m

A full-day hiking adventure at the highest peak of mount Taygetos at 2407m

Mount Taygetos is the highest mountain in the Peloponnese boasting a height of 2407 meters. Beautiful forests covering the sub-alpine area, gorges, and ravines shaded by plane trees are features of an incredible landscape. Walking the trails of Taygetos, a hiker can witness the geological history of 200 million years. The highest peak of 2407m, a solid limestone forms an almost perfect pyramid considered a sacred place from ancient times. Hiking the highest peak was an important achievement for the ancient Spartans and still is today.

Our hike to the highest peak of 'Prophet Elias' starts from the refuge of the Sparta mountaineering club at 1550m. Reaching the alpine meadows the smell of the fragrant shrubs and wildflowers dominate our senses where most important the endemic herbal tea is dominant. On our way, we stop to enjoy the spectacular vistas the mountain generously offers. We continue uphill to the so-called ''Portes'' meaning gates, a split of the ridge that marks our entry into the final part of our hike to the summit. Soon we will be walking the so-called ''immortal ridge''. A few more steps and we touch the summit plateau ''conquering'' the highest peak of the mountain at 2407m. The view from the top is breathtaking to all corners of the horizon. After tasting a delicious picnic that will get our batteries charged, we take the way back.

Two-day program:

Saturday

• 12:00 – Meeting at Magganiari Springs to get to know and organize the group
• 13:00 – Start of activity, Hike to the camp at 1550m
• 15:00 – Arrival at the Camp
• 15:30 – Camp preparation, afternoon coffee, and walk to a nearby cave
• 16:30 – Walking and exploring around the camp, free time
• 19:00 – Dinner

Sunday

• 02:30 – Quick morning coffee and team preparation
• 03:00 – Start of night ascent
• 06:00 – Arrival at the top
• 06:15 – The "Pyramid Effect", Sunrise
• 07:00 – Breakfast at the top
• 08:00 - Departure and return to the camp
• 10:30 – Arrival, rest
• 11:00 – Gathering camp
• 11:30 – Return to the springs of Manganiari
• 12:00 – End of program, departure

Overnight:

Our overnight stay on Saturday night will be camping comfortably and idyllically with our tents near Mt. shelter where we will have the possibility to use the WC facilities or to get a snack, drink, or bottle of water. You are free to use your own camping equipment. However, there is a possibility from our side to provide free camping equipment to those who do not have it.

Meals:

We provide 1 light lunch of sandwiches and fruit during the first day's activity. 1 full-cooked dinner with salad and wine (Saturday evening). 1 hearty breakfast (Sunday morning) and 1 fruit snack (Sunday afternoon).

4X4 Support Vehicle:

The support vehicle is a key part of the two-day as it will transport all your luggage, camping equipment, outdoor kitchen, and outdoor restaurant to the campsite. On Sunday it will be available to transport hikers from the camp 1550m to the parking area at the Manganiari springs 950m.