Profitis Ilias summit
1,981 m
Greece
Also known as Οστρακίνα, Ostrakina; Mainalo (Menalon), +2Also known as
Οστρακίνα · Ostrakina; Mainalo (Menalon) · Προφήτης Ηλίας · Profítis Ilías
- Elevation
- 1,981 m
- Prominence
- 1,217 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- May–Jun
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The most popular walk in central Mainalo: a short, well-marked climb of about 400 m from the road-accessible 'Panos Alexopoulos' refuge (1,600 m) on the Ostrakina plateau, traversing the west slope to the saddle between the two Ostrakina tops and on to the summit trig point at 1,981 m.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 1.8 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +431 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,981 m
- Time Up
- 1h 40m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 1h 05m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Start at the EOS Tripolis refuge 'Panos Alexopoulos' (1,600 m), beside the Mainalo ski centre on the paved mountain road between Kardaras and Vytina; there is a car park next to it. Follow the service track towards the mobile-phone masts; at the first bend a wooden sign marks the paths to Levidi and to the summit. The path drops into a hollow where the red-square route to Levidi branches left; continue straight on the yellow-square path. After an easy section the path nears the Ostrakina ridge and turns right. Above the trees the marks are on tall cairns. It traverses a fairly steep slope (about 300 m long) to a gentle fold below a small rock outcrop, turns left and climbs a series of easier and steeper steps to the saddle between the two highest points of Ostrakina. The main summit is to the left: a small flat top with a trig pillar, a Greek flag and a shrine. Descend the same way. The direct line down the west slope looks shorter but is less pleasant and should be avoided in winter. In winter the long traverse below the summit holds snow that can be icy because of its westerly aspect; carry an ice axe and crampons and stiff boots. Snow loading on the lee (east) side has caused fatal avalanches.
Start
Mainalo refuge car park1,547 m
- Buses run from Athens to Tripoli; no public transport to the refuge was found, so a car or taxi is needed for the mountain road.
- Parking at the trailhead
Waypoints
- Parking: Mainalo refuge car park1,547 m
- Hut: Panos Alexopoulos refuge1,572 m
- Summit: Ostrakina (Profitis Ilias)1,981 m
Key Passages
- Traverse of the west slope below the summit (icy in winter)
- Steps up to the saddle between the two Ostrakina tops
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
Ostrakina, or Profitis Ilias (1,981 m), is the highest point of Mainalo in central Arcadia. A short, well-marked path climbs 400 m from a staffed club refuge beside the Mainalo ski centre, but the friendly-looking cone has a serious winter record.
Mainalo is the mountain of central Arcadia, rising north-west of Tripoli between Levidi, Vytina and the villages of the Gortynia gorges. Its highest point is the conical summit of Ostrakina, usually called Profitis Ilias after the chapel that once stood there; two piles of rough stone on the top suggest its remains. Below it, on the Ostrakina plateau, are the Mainalo ski centre and the EOS Tripolis refuge, both on the paved mountain road from Kardaras to Vytina.
From the refuge the summit is a short climb of about 400 m on a waymarked path, with a trig pillar, a flag and a shrine at the top and views to Parnonas and Taygetos. Fir forest covers much of the mountain, and the Menalon Trail and the E4 cross its lower slopes, so the summit is often combined with longer walks, for example from Levidi.
In summer it is an easy half-day outing for any walker. Winter is the busy season on Mainalo, and conditions then are very different: the west-facing traverse below the summit is often icy, cornices form on the ridge and the lee slopes can avalanche.
Climbing Notes
In summer no special skills are needed: sturdy shoes, water and a windproof are enough for the 400 m climb from the refuge, and the waymarks (yellow square on white, plus tall cairns above the trees) are consistent though faded. The refuge is staffed at weekends and on holidays, serves meals and has 35 beds, so a night there makes an easy base for longer walks.
In winter treat it as a proper mountain. Carry an ice axe and crampons and wear stiff boots for the icy 300 m traverse below the summit; the north ridge above the traverse may carry less snow but has small rock steps and possible cornices. Ask the refuge keeper about conditions, return by the ascent route and stay off the lee (east) slopes after snowfall.
History
The refuge 'Panos Alexopoulos', named after a former president of EOS Tripolis, was completed in 1969. On 13 February 2005 a party of 28 climbers from EOS Athens, descending from the summit after heavy snowfall and in strong southerly wind, tried to traverse the sheltered east face instead of returning along the ridge; a cornice broke off and set off an avalanche, and five of them (three men and two women) were killed.
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
- Winter conditions; icy traverse, avalanche risk on lee slopes; ice axe and crampons
- Feb
- Winter; the fatal 2005 avalanche happened in February
- Mar
- Snow likely; winter equipment usually needed
- Apr
- Spring snow on the upper slope
- May
- Usually snow-free; spring flowers
- Jun
- Good conditions
- Jul
- Hot; go early
- Aug
- Hot; go early
- Sep
- Good conditions
- Oct
- Good conditions
- Nov
- Shorter days; first snow possible
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Refuge 'Panos Alexopoulos' (EOS Tripolis): open and staffed every weekend and on public holidays, other days by arrangement; reservations by phone (+30 697 222 1361). Bring sheets and pillowcases; blankets are provided.
- Getting There
Tripoli; the villages of Levidi and Vytina are closer
Athens International (ATH); Kalamata (KLX)
- Drive to the refuge and ski centre on the paved mountain road between Kardaras and Vytina; there is a car park beside the refuge
- Buses connect Athens and Tripoli; no public transport to the refuge was found
Hazards
- Avalanche
- Cornices
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,600 m
Panos Alexopoulos refugeRefugeStaffedBooking required
35 beds · All year; staffed every weekend and on public holidays, other days by arrangement