Flambouro
2,188 m
Greece
Also known as Phlampouro, ΦλάμπουροAlso known as
Phlampouro · Φλάμπουρο
- Elevation
- 2,188 m
- Prominence
- 1,176 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jun–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The shortest approach to Flambouro, highest point of the Pieria Mountains: from the mountain village of Katafygi (about 1,440 m) the E4 climbs through pine forest and the Katsarathka meadows to the SEO Kozani refuge (1,946 m), then crosses alpine meadows below Avdella and follows a track to the saddle and the boulder-strewn summit (2,188 m).
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 6.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +784 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,188 m
- Time Up
- 3h 30m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 31m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Katafygi is reached by a narrow, winding paved road from Velventos (Kozani). From the village square head east past the church of Agios Nektarios and the water tank to a roadside shrine where the E4 continues. The path crosses open pine forest to a ridge and a forest road, then follows wide paths and the road to the meadows of Katsarathka. The SEO Kozani refuge is visible on the col to the south-east: cross the meadow east to a spring on the road, follow the road south for 200–300 m and take a path south through the forest to the refuge (1,946 m). A small alpine pond lies next to it. An 8.5 km dirt road also runs from Katafygi to the refuge, but it is rough and suitable only for high-clearance vehicles. From the refuge climb the slope south, steep at first, past the rocky top of Avdella (2,130 m), descend briefly to a track and follow it for about 700 m to the saddle below the summit. The final climb onto Flambouro is short and easy, ending in a field of huge granite boulders with a summit marker and a register. Return the same way. From the summit the view reaches Olympus, the Polyfytos reservoir, Vermio and, in clear weather, the northern Pindus.
Start
Καταφύγι1,411 m
- None. Katafygi is reached by car from Velventos or Kozani.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Καταφύγι → Φλάμπουρο | 6.9 | 784 | 11 | 3h 30m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Καταφύγι1,411 m
Katafygi village square; E4 continues east past Agios Nektarios
- Hut: Καταφύγιο ΣΕΟ Κοζάνης1,957 m
SEO Kozani refuge on the col; end of the dirt road from Katafygi
- Shoulder: Αβδέλλα2,138 m
Path passes the rocky top of Avdella before dropping to a track
- Summit: Φλάμπουρο2,188 m
Key Passages
- Katsarathka meadows below the refuge
- Steep slope above the SEO Kozani refuge
- Summit boulder field
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 55%Overview
Flambouro (2,188 m) is the highest summit of the Pieria Mountains, the granite range between Olympus and the Aliakmonas valley. A rounded alpine top ringed by huge boulders, it is reached on a short hike from the SEO Kozani refuge or a longer one from the village of Katafygi on the E4.
The Pieria Mountains (Pieria Ori) rise north of Olympus between Katerini to the east and the Polyfytos reservoir and the Aliakmonas valley to the west. Unlike most Greek mountains the summit area is granite, with deep beech and black-pine forests on their flanks and wide alpine meadows above about 1,900 m. Flambouro, usually given as 2,188–2,191 m, is the highest point; neighbouring tops include Avdella, Tourla, Drosos and Lapousi.
The summit is a gentle dome capped by a jumble of huge boulders, with a summit marker and a register. From the top the view takes in Olympus close to the south-east, the Thermaic Gulf, Vermio, the Polyfytos reservoir and, in clear weather, the peaks of the northern Pindus.
The mountain is little visited compared with Olympus. The easiest ascent starts from the SEO Kozani refuge on a col north-east of the summit; most hikers either drive there on a rough dirt road or walk up from Katafygi, a mountain village on the western side. Longer approaches come from Velventos on the E4, from Fteri in the south and from the Elatochori ski centre in the north-east.
Climbing Notes
From the SEO Kozani refuge the summit is a short walk with a steep start, suitable for any fit hiker in summer; from Katafygi allow a half-day round trip, and a full day from Velventos (about 1,700 m of ascent). Navigation can be confusing on the network of forest roads and tracks, especially in fog, so carry a GPS track.
Water is scarce above the forest: fill up in Katafygi or at the spring on the road at Katsarathka. The refuge's entrance room is reported to be permanently open for shelter, but the refuge itself is rarely staffed. In winter the high meadows are good ski-touring terrain; the access roads are snowbound and the mountain becomes a serious, remote winter objective.
History
No record of a first ascent is known. Parts of the pine forest on the southern slopes below Tourla burned in a fire in 2007.
Season
Best Jun–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Good
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Possible
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; access roads snowbound
- Feb
- Winter; ski touring for experienced parties
- Mar
- Ski touring on the high meadows
- Apr
- Snow on the upper mountain
- May
- Alpine flowers; snow patches possible
- Jun
- Good conditions
- Jul
- Best season; afternoon storms possible
- Aug
- Best season
- Sep
- Stable weather
- Oct
- Autumn colours in the beech forest; cold summit wind
- Nov
- First snow likely
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- The SEO Kozani refuge is run by the Kozani mountaineering and ski club (SEO Kozanis); its entrance room is reported to be always open. Contact the club for use of the refuge.
- Getting There
Velventos
Thessaloniki (SKG)
- Car: Kozani–Velventos, then a narrow winding paved road to Katafygi
- An 8.5 km dirt road from Katafygi to the SEO Kozani refuge is rough and suitable only for high-clearance vehicles
- Southern approach by road from Katerini or Elassona via Fteri
- No public transport to Katafygi
Hazards
- Weather
- Remoteness
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,946 m
Καταφύγιο ΣΕΟ ΚοζάνηςRefugeUnstaffed
Entrance room open all year; main refuge by arrangement