Olenos
2,223 m
Greece
Also known as Ωλενός, Olonos; Erymanthos, +1Also known as
Ωλενός · Olonos; Erymanthos · Ωλενός (ή Γρανίτης)
- Elevation
- 2,223 m
- Prominence
- 1,204 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Sep–Oct
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The classic ascent of Erymanthos: from the village of Micha (about 950 m) up through Greek fir forest past the Roumeliotiki and Lapata springs to the Barba sheepfold, across the high plateau to the emergency shelter (1,830 m) on the Olenos–Moungila saddle, then a steep, cairned 400 m climb up the east slope to the summit. About 14 km and 1,300 m of ascent there and back.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 9.1 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,345 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,223 m
- Time Up
- 5h 42m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 58m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Micha (also signed Micha–Tsapournia), 42 km from Patras and 35 km from Kalavryta, is the usual starting point. A sign near the Micha Scout Centre marks the path, which heads south-south-east up the north side of the mountain, crossing and briefly sharing a dirt road in the first kilometre. Above about 1,200 m it steepens through dense Greek fir forest to a saddle at 1,451 m with the first view of Mikri Moungila and Olenos. The path drops slightly to the Roumeliotiki spring, then follows waymarks to the spring at Lapata, where the forest thins and the alpine section begins on rock and scree. The Barba sheepfold is about 1 km further; this is the last water. From Barba it is about 2.5 km to the foot of Olenos, including a section where a landslide has damaged the path; it can be bypassed by a short, easy scramble. The small stone emergency shelter stands on the plateau at the Olenos–Moungila saddle (about 1,830 m), usually open with a closing door. From the shelter cross the stream and climb the east slope of Olenos, about 400 m of ascent. The old paint marks are faded; follow the cairns. The ground is steep and stony but not technical. Descend the same way. Some parties split the route over two days with a night in the shelter. Fog forms easily on the upper mountain.
Start
Micha919 m
- No practical public transport to Micha was found; a car or taxi from Patras or Kalavryta is needed.
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Micha919 m
Start by the Micha Scout Centre sign
- Bivouac: Erymanthos emergency shelter1,832 m
- Summit: Olenos2,223 m
Key Passages
- Landslide-damaged path section between Barba and the plateau
- Steep, cairned east slope above the emergency shelter
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 65%Overview
Olenos (2,224 m) is the highest summit of Erymanthos, the rugged mountain of the Erymanthian boar on the Achaea–Elis border. A long day from the fir forests above Micha leads to a steep, cairned summit cone with views to the Ionian islands.
Erymanthos is a sprawling, poorly defined massif in the north-western Peloponnese, about 40 km south of Patras, and the fourth-highest mountain of the peninsula after Taygetos, Kyllini and Chelmos. Its top, Olenos, sits on the border between Achaea and Elis and is steep on all sides; neighbouring tops include Moungila (2,169 m), Profitis Ilias (about 2,125 m) and Psili Tourla. A southern summit, Granitis, is often mistaken for Olenos on maps. The mountain feeds the Pineios, Selinountas, Erymanthos, Peiros and Parapeiros rivers.
The lower slopes carry Greek fir forest; the upper mountain is open grass, schist, rock and scree, grazed by flocks whose sheepfolds hide in remote hollows. Old shepherds' paths and passes cross the range, but the waymarking is patchy and the area feels remote. On clear days the summit view takes in Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Ithaca.
The usual ascent from Micha on the north side is a strenuous but non-technical day of about 1,300 m of ascent. There are no staffed huts on Erymanthos; a small stone emergency shelter on the plateau below the summit allows a two-day trip. In winter the steep summit slopes make it a serious snow climb, which gives the mountain a particular standing among Greek mountaineers.
Climbing Notes
Fitness for a 6–7 hour day with about 1,300 m of ascent on rough ground is the main requirement. Fill up with water at the springs (Roumeliotiki, Lapata) and the Barba sheepfold, as there is none above. Navigation needs care: the forest section is well marked, but above the tree line the paint marks are faded and fog forms easily; carry a map or GPS track and follow the cairns on the summit cone.
A two-day trip with a night in the emergency shelter on the Olenos–Moungila saddle (about 1,830 m) is an option used by some clubs; bring a sleeping bag and stove. From December to April the summit slope is usually snow-covered and steep enough to need crampons, an ice axe and winter skills. Late spring and autumn give the best conditions; midsummer is hot in the forest but fine on top with an early start.
History
In myth Erymanthos was home to the Erymanthian boar, captured by Heracles as one of his Labours, and to the centaur Pholus; Homer's Odyssey has Artemis roaming 'Taygetus or Erymanthus, delighting in the boars'. The name Erymanthos is pre-Greek. In antiquity the mountain lay between Arcadia and Achaea, with the cities of Tritaia, Lasion and Psophis on its fringes; in the Middle Ages its passes were guarded by castles such as Grevenos and Nezera. Two magnitude 5.5 earthquakes struck the area on 5 February 2008.
Season
Best Sep–Oct- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Good
- June: Best
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Best (best window)
- November: Possible
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Winter climb; snow on the steep summit slopes
- Feb
- Winter climb for experienced parties
- Mar
- Snow cover; crampons and ice axe
- Apr
- Spring snow above the forest
- May
- Snow patches; spring flowers
- Jun
- Usually snow-free; springs running
- Jul
- Hot in the forest; start early
- Aug
- Hot; springs may run low
- Sep
- Good conditions
- Oct
- Stable autumn weather is common
- Nov
- Short days; early snow possible
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- No staffed huts. The unstaffed stone emergency shelter on the Olenos–Moungila saddle cannot be booked and is usually open.
- Rules
- Erymanthos is a Natura 2000 site (GR2320008, GR2320012)
- Getting There
Kalavryta (35 km from Micha); Patras (42 km from Micha)
Araxos (GPA) near Patras (seasonal); Athens International (ATH)
- Drive from Patras or Kalavryta to Micha (Micha–Tsapournia) on the north side of the mountain
- No practical public transport to the trailhead was found
Hazards
- Weather
- Remoteness
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,830 m
Erymanthos emergency shelterBivouacUnstaffed
All year; unstaffed emergency shelter, usually open