Mount Kyllini

2,374 m

Greece

Also known as Kyllini, Kyllini (Ziria), +6

Kyllini · Kyllini (Ziria) · Κυλλήνη (Ζήρεια) · Cilene · Κυλλήνη · Monte Cillene · Килини · Kylléne

Elevation: 2,374 m
Prominence: 1,870 m
Difficulty: 2/10; Hike
Best Season: May–Jun
Routes: 1

Routes

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SACT2HikeNormal route

The standard ascent of Megali Ziria: from the ski-centre car park on the Ziria plateau (about 1,500 m), 6 km above Ano Trikala, across the plateau to the EOS Korinthou Refuge B at Portes (1,680 m), then up a stream bed to a col and over open slopes to the 2,374 m summit and its HMGS trig pillar. Red waymarks throughout; 2½–3 hours up.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 4.8 km; one way
Ascent: +871 m; start → summit
High Point: 2,374 m
Time Up: 3h 31m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 2h 20m; DIN 33466 · same way back

The asphalt road from Ano Trikala Korinthias reaches the Ziria ski centre at the southern end of the plateau. From the car park head west towards the chapel of the Panagia and the Megali Vrysi spring, the only reliable water on the route. Then turn south on a dirt track to the edge of the plateau and the first, gentlest gully of the summit massif. Leave the sheepfold on the right (cars can reach it on the rough track when there is no snow) and climb a stream bed on the red-marked path to Refuge B 'D. Loukisas' at Portes, about 30 minutes from the ski-centre car park or 15 minutes from the sheepfold. Above the refuge continue up the stream bed, pass a prominent rock on the left and come out on a col with a clear view of the summit slope. Follow the col to an old dirt road, go right briefly on it following the marks, then climb the open slope to the summit, marked by a Hellenic Military Geographical Service trig pillar. Refuge to summit takes 1½–1¾ hours. The view takes in the Feneos plateau, Chelmos, Mount Dourdouvana, Mikri Ziria, the Flambouritsa valley and the Gulf of Corinth. Descend the same way. In winter this is a popular first snow ascent, but it needs crampons, an ice axe and avalanche awareness on the upper slopes.

Start

Χιονοδρομικό Κέντρο Ζήρειας1,500 m

No bus to the plateau; suburban trains from Athens reach Kiato on the coast, then taxi via Trikala to the plateau.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Χιονοδρομικό Κέντρο Ζήρειας → Κυλλήνη	4.8	871	0	3h 31m

Waypoints

Parking:
Χιονοδρομικό Κέντρο Ζήρειας1,500 m
Ski-centre car park at the southern end of the Ziria plateau; elevation approximate
Parking:
Στάνη1,568 m
Sheepfold at the edge of the plateau; nearest parking to the refuge by rough dirt track when snow-free (EOS Korinthou)
Hut:
Καταφύγιο "Δ. Λουκισας"1,658 m
Refuge B (Δ. Λούκισας) at Portes, EOS Korinthou
Summit:
Κυλλήνη2,374 m

Key Passages

Megali Vrysi spring on the plateau
Stream bed up to Refuge B at Portes
Col above the refuge
Open summit slope

Equipment

0/6 packed

Technical

Crampons and ice axein winter and spring snowRequired

Safety

Sun hat and sun protectionno shade above the refugeRequired
Avalanche transceiver, probe and shovelwinter ascents and ski touringRecommended

Footwear

Hiking bootsstony stream bed and slopesRequired

Clothing

Windproof and warm layersexposed summit slopesRequired

Other

Waterfill up at Megali Vrysi; refuge water is not drinkableRequired

Downloads

Route confidence 80%

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Overview

Mount Kyllini, or Ziria (2,374 m), is the second-highest mountain of the Peloponnese, a bare limestone massif in western Corinthia that myth makes the birthplace of Hermes. From the ski centre on the Ziria plateau above Trikala, a waymarked path passes a small club refuge to the summit in about three hours.

Kyllini (ancient Cyllene; in modern usage usually Ziria) rises in the west of Corinthia between the Gulf of Corinth and the Stymfalia and Feneos basins, close to the old boundary of Arcadia and Achaea. The Flambouritsa valley, a Natura 2000 site where the Sythas river rises, divides it into Megali Ziria, with the 2,374 m main summit, and Mikri Ziria (2,117 m). The mountain is unusual in Greece for the number of tops above 2,000 m. Its upper slopes are bare and rocky; below about 2,000 m they are largely forested, and the high plateau above Trikala Korinthias carries meadows, sheepfolds and a small ski centre.

The skeleton's 2,374 m comes from Wikidata and OSM; Wikipedia's article gives 2,376 m. Golden eagles hunt over the Flambouritsa valley, and the plateau is grazed in summer. From the summit the view covers much of the north-eastern Peloponnese: Chelmos, Lake Doxa and the Feneos plateau, Mount Dourdouvana, Mikri Ziria and the Gulf of Corinth.

This is not a technical mountain. The gentle slopes, short approach from the road-head and well-marked path make it an ideal first summit and a good training ground for winter outings, with the villages of Trikala Korinthias as an easy weekend base.

Climbing Notes

In summer and autumn the ascent from the ski-centre car park is an easy 5–6 hour round trip with about 900 m of ascent; good shoes, a windproof and water (fill up at Megali Vrysi) are enough. Refuge B (16 beds, equipped kitchen, no meals service reported) allows an overnight start; contact EOS Korinthou in advance. From December to April the upper mountain is under snow: crampons, ice axe and avalanche awareness are needed, and the road to the plateau may need chains. The summit slopes are fully exposed to wind and thunderstorms. Strong parties can traverse the long main ridge or combine Megali and Mikri Ziria.

History

In Greek mythology Hermes was born in a sacred cave on Kyllini, hence his epithet Kyllenios, and the Pleiades were also said to have been born here. Pausanias, in the 2nd century CE, described the highest mountain of Arcadia with a dilapidated temple of Hermes Kyllenios on its summit, housing a juniper-wood statue about eight feet high. Refuge B at Portes was built in 1955 and is maintained by the Hellenic Mountaineering Club of Corinth (EOS Korinthou).

Season

Best May–Jun

January: Possible
February: Possible
March: Possible
April: Good
May: Best (best window)
June: Best (best window)
July: Good
August: Good
September: Best
October: Best
November: Good
December: Possible

Jan: Snow; winter ascent with crampons and ice axe
Feb: Snow; winter ascent with crampons and ice axe
Mar: Spring snow; ski touring
Apr: Snow patches high up
May: Flowers on the plateau; late snow possible in gullies
Jul: Hot and exposed; start early
Aug: Hot and exposed; start early
Oct: Clear autumn days
Nov: First snow possible
Dec: Winter conditions

Access & Permits

Hut Booking

Refuge B 'D. Loukisas' (1,680 m, 16 beds, equipped kitchen, oil stove, non-potable tank water): contact EOS Korinthou (info@eoskorinthou.gr, +30 27410 29970) or the refuge warden (+30 698 274 4065) in advance.

Fees

Overnight charge at Refuge B (EOS Korinthou)

Rules

The Flambouritsa valley is a Natura 2000 site: stay on paths and do not disturb wildlife

Getting There

Trikala Korinthias (Xylokastro on the coast)

Athens (ATH)

Car: Athens–Patras motorway to Xylokastro or Kiato, then up to Trikala Korinthias and 6 km of asphalt from Ano Trikala to the Ziria plateau and ski centre
Train: suburban railway from Athens to Kiato; no public transport to the plateau, taxi required

Hazards

Weather
Avalanche

Huts & Shelters

Καταφύγιο "Δ. Λουκισας"RefugeUnstaffedBooking required
16 beds
Website of Καταφύγιο "Δ. Λουκισας"
1,680 m