Megale Tourla
1,935 m
Greece
Also known as Μεγάλη Τούρλα, Megali Tourla; Parnon (Parnonas)Also known as
Μεγάλη Τούρλα · Megali Tourla; Parnon (Parnonas)
- Elevation
- 1,935 m
- Prominence
- 1,116 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- May–Jun
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: B (Greek club grading) (EOS Acharnon, refuge–summit–Moni Malevi traverse)
The standard ascent of Parnon's highest summit: from the EOS Sparti refuge 'George Pierce' (1,420 m), reachable by road, a red-waymarked path through fir forest to a shepherd's hut, then a steep, unmarked final half-hour up the conical summit (1,935 m). About 2.5 hours up and roughly 520 m of ascent.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 6.0 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +673 m
- −164 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 1,935 m
- Time Up
- 3h 19m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 38m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
The refuge stands on the Arnomousga hill at about 1,420 m, above the village of Vamvakou in Laconia; it can be reached by road, or on foot from Vamvakou (about 5 km and 3 hours with 600 m of ascent, per EOS Acharnon). From the refuge walk back along the access road for about 500 m to a signpost, then follow the red waymarks into the forest. The path first descends, then climbs, follows a dirt road for a while and re-enters the forest, which thins out as you gain height. About an hour or more from the refuge a shepherd's hut stands on the left; it is roomy enough to shelter in if the weather turns. From here the summit is roughly half an hour away, and this is the hardest part: the waymarks give out and the slope is very steep. Keep to the path until a sign points to the summit of Megali Tourla (1,935 m). Return the same way (allow about 2 hours), or traverse north past the chapel of Profitis Ilias and descend north-west through cedar and fir forest to the monastery of Malevi (about 900 m). As a refuge–summit–Malevi day this is about 16 km with 850 m of ascent and 1,250 m of descent, about 9 hours with stops (EOS Acharnon).
Start
Parnon Refuge George Pierce1,427 m
- No public transport to the refuge was found; drive via Vamvakou (Laconia) or arrive on foot from Vamvakou.
- Parking at the trailhead
Waypoints
- Hut: Parnon Refuge George Pierce1,427 m
Car park beside the refuge
- Summit: Megali Tourla1,935 m
Key Passages
- Steep, unmarked final half-hour above the shepherd's hut
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 60%Overview
Megali Tourla (1,935 m) is the conical high point of Parnon, the most extensive mountain range of the Peloponnese, on the Arcadia–Laconia border. A half-day climb from the road-accessible EOS Sparti refuge leads through fir forest to a steep, unmarked summit cone.
Parnon (Parnonas) is the largest mountain complex of the Peloponnese by area. It never reaches 2,000 m, but spreads over a huge upland of fir and black pine forest, meadows and springs between the Laconian plain and the Argolic Gulf. Its highest summit, the cone of Megali Tourla, stands at the northern end of the range above a broad plateau; from there a long forested crest runs south towards the Leonidio–Sparta road.
The climbing interest of northern Parnon centres on two places: the EOS Sparti refuge on the Arnomousga hill (1,420 m), once an important advanced base, and Megali Tourla itself, whose steep sides and conical shape make it stand out. Paths reach the foot of the summit from Sitaina, from the monastery of Malevi and from the refuge.
The usual ascent from the refuge is an easy-to-moderate forest walk with a short, steep and unmarked final climb. Many clubs make it a two-day traverse: walk up from Vamvakou to the refuge, summit next morning and descend north past the chapel of Profitis Ilias to Moni Malevi.
Climbing Notes
Fitness for a 4–5 hour round trip from the refuge, or a 9-hour traverse to Moni Malevi, is enough in summer. The lower path is well waymarked in red; the last half-hour above the shepherd's hut has no marks and is steep, so carry a map or GPS track, especially in cloud. Clubs list boots, poles, a waterproof, warm layers, hat and gloves and a headlamp.
The refuge has 34 places, a fireplace, a stove, a gas kitchen and indoor toilets. Water is carried from the Arnomousga spring about 10 minutes away. Club groups report dinner and breakfast being provided when it is staffed; check with EOS Sparti before relying on it. In winter snow can lie on the summit cone, and crampons and an ice axe are then needed on the steep final slope.
History
The EOS Sparti refuge, a large stone building, was built with a donation from the Greek-American George Pierce (Georgios Papatheodorou) in the early 1970s and opened in 1973. In 2010 local clubs in Sparta waymarked a network of trails on the mountain.
Season
Best May–Jun- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Good
- April: Good
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Snow possible on the summit cone; winter equipment
- Feb
- Snow possible; winter equipment
- Mar
- Late snow on the cone
- Apr
- Spring; snow patches high up
- May
- Good conditions
- Jun
- Good conditions
- Jul
- Hot; forest shade helps; start early
- Aug
- Hot; start early
- Sep
- Good conditions; popular with clubs
- Oct
- Good conditions
- Nov
- Cooler, shorter days
- Dec
- Winter conditions possible
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Parnon refuge 'George Pierce' is managed by EOS Sparti (Sparta mountaineering club); contact the club in advance to arrange a stay.
- Getting There
Sparti (Sparta); Tripoli to the north; nearest village Vamvakou
Kalamata (KLX); Athens International (ATH)
- Drive to the refuge on the mountain road above Vamvakou (Laconia); there is parking beside it
- Alternatively walk up from Vamvakou (about 5 km, 3 hours, 600 m of ascent)
- No public transport to the refuge was found
Hazards
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,420 m
Parnon Refuge George PierceRefugeUnstaffed
34 beds · Opened by arrangement with EOS Sparti