Ochi
1,398 m
Greece
Also known as Όχη, Oque, +3Also known as
Όχη · Oque · Oche mons · Охи · Ókhi
- Elevation
- 1,398 m
- Prominence
- 1,287 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Apr–May
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The classic ascent of southern Euboea's highest peak: from the village of Myloi above Karystos past the half-cut marble columns of the Roman quarry at Kylindroi, up the cobbled Kakia Skala and the chestnut woods to the Ochi refuge (about 1,050 m), then on rough ground to the summit chapel and the ancient Dragon House. About 1,100 m of ascent; 4 hours up.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 7.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,211 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,398 m
- Time Up
- 5h 02m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 25m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Park at the upper edge of Myloi, about 2 km north of Karystos, at around 300 m, where the waymarked path starts. It follows the gully, then winds up towards the cliffs of the ravine's east side to the ancient quarry of Kylindroi, where about ten huge monolithic marble columns lie where they were abandoned (about 40 minutes). The path runs along the foot of the cliffs and climbs north to a narrow pass, where it becomes the cobbled Kakia Skala ('wicked stairs'), crosses the ridge and a stream bed eastwards and meets the dirt road from Metochi. Follow the road uphill for about 2 km through the Kastanologos chestnut forest to a narrow plateau; the Ochi refuge stands about 200 m higher, above it (about 2¼ hours from the quarry). A spring near the refuge provides drinking water. From the refuge a rough path climbs north for about 20 minutes to a weathered saddle, then up the west side to the old chapel of Profitis Ilias on the summit ridge; the Dragon House, a megalithic building of huge unmortared stone blocks, is just beside it at the summit (about 1¼ hours from the refuge; fit walkers take less). Descend the same way, or continue down the Dimosaris gorge to Kallianos beach (about 4½ hours more). The route is waymarked for most of its length but steep, stony and often very windy; take care in strong wind or low cloud.
Start
Myloi186 m
- Ferry from Rafina to Marmari, then bus or taxi to Karystos; taxi or a lift to Myloi, about 2 km
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Myloi → Ochi | 7.9 | 1,211 | 0 | 5h 02m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Myloi186 m
- Feature: Kylindroi Roman quarry523 m
- Feature: Kakia Skala719 m
- Hut: Ochi refuge1,066 m
- Summit: Ochi1,398 m
Key Passages
- Kakia Skala cobbled path
- Rough ground from the refuge to the summit saddle
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The highest mountain of southern Euboea (1,398 m), rising straight above Karystos. A waymarked path climbs past an abandoned Roman marble quarry and a club refuge to a summit with a chapel and the best-preserved of Euboea's mysterious megalithic 'Dragon Houses'.
Ochi stands about 6 km north-east of Karystos at the south-eastern tip of Euboea, with a prominence of about 1,280 m. Most of the massif is grassland and scrub, with forests on its northern slopes, the Kastanologos chestnut wood below the refuge and the Dimosaris gorge running down to Kallianos beach. Strong winds from the Aegean are frequent, and cloud often caps the summit.
The ascent combines a mountain walk with archaeology. Above the village of Myloi, at Kylindroi, about ten huge monolithic marble columns lie half-cut where Roman quarrymen left them. Higher up, the summit ridge carries the old chapel of Profitis Ilias and, beside it, the Dragon House (Drakospito): a building of enormous unmortared stone blocks, the best-preserved of the 'dragon houses' of southern Euboea.
The normal route from Myloi gains about 1,100 m on a steep, stony, waymarked path in about 4 hours, with a refuge at about 1,050 m. A dirt road from Metochi brings cars close to the refuge, and a long traverse continues over the summit and down the Dimosaris gorge to Kallianos beach.
Climbing Notes
Allow 7–8 hours for the return trip from Myloi (about 1,100 m of ascent), or about 1–1¼ hours each way from the refuge if you drive up via Metochi. The path is waymarked for most of its length but steep and stony; boots, a windproof and plenty of water are essential, and the upper section can be disorienting in cloud. In summer start at dawn: the lower half is hot and exposed.
The full traverse from Myloi over the summit and down the Dimosaris gorge to Kallianos beach takes about 8½ hours (up to 10 for less experienced walkers) and needs transport arranged at the end. The refuge sleeps up to 25 and is booked for groups (minimum 10) through its keeper; it has water, a fireplace and an oil stove but no fridge.
History
Ochi (Latin Oche mons) has been quarried for marble since antiquity; the abandoned monolithic columns at Kylindroi come from a Roman-era quarry. The dragon houses, built of huge stone blocks without mortar in remote places, are of unknown date and purpose and are not mentioned in ancient literature; the first written description is by the British geologist John Hawkins in the 18th century.
Season
Best Apr–May- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Good
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Good
- July: Possible
- August: Possible
- September: Good
- October: Best
- November: Best
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Cold, wet and very windy; occasional snow
- Feb
- Cold and windy
- Apr
- Spring flowers
- Jun
- Hot on the lower half; start early
- Jul
- Hot; strong summer winds on the summit
- Aug
- Hot; strong summer winds on the summit
- Dec
- Wet and windy
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Ochi refuge: 18 beds plus loft space (up to 25), groups of at least 10, book about 10 days ahead with the keeper (contact details on karystion.gr).
- Rules
- The Dragon House and the Kylindroi quarry are archaeological sites: do not climb on or remove stones
- The summit chapel is a place of worship
- Getting There
Karystos
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)
- Ferry from Rafina to Marmari, then by road to Karystos and on to Myloi, about 2 km north of Karystos
- By car to the refuge: from Karystos through Kato Aetos and Metochi to the telecom masts (about 11.5 km), then concrete and dirt roads to a plateau below the refuge
Hazards
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,042 m
Ochi refugeHutUnstaffedBooking required
18 beds · By arrangement; groups of at least 10