Tsal
1,415 m
Greece
Also known as Achladovouno, Руян, +3Also known as
Achladovouno · Руян · Αχλαδόβουνο · Τσάλ (Αχλαδόβουνο) · Ahlat Çal
- Elevation
- 1,415 m
- Prominence
- 1,040 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Mar–May
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The direct ascent of Tsal (Achladovouno, about 1,400 m), the mountain above Xanthi: from the hamlet of Gerakas in the Kosynthos valley (about 375 m) a steep path cleared and waymarked by EOS Xanthi climbs the Gerakas stream and the north-east flank to the summit chapel of Agios Georgios. About 1,000 m of ascent in roughly 3 hours.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 4.6 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,055 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,415 m
- Time Up
- 4h 07m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 44m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Drive north from Xanthi up the Kosynthos valley to the turn for Gerakas, a small hamlet on the north-east side of the mountain. The path starts on a track just west of the hamlet (about 375 m), crosses the Gerakas stream and climbs south-west up the flank of the mountain. The climb is relentless: about 1,000 m of ascent in a little over 3 km, with one section that EOS Xanthi describes as the hardest 100 m of the route. The Kavala club took 3 hours to the summit. The path reaches the summit ridge next to the chapel of Agios Georgios, which gives the summit its other name, and the top a short walk to the east. Descend the same way, or follow the waymarked trails south-east towards Makario and Xanthi or west and north to Lykodromio on the Xanthi–Stavroupoli road; a dirt road also runs from the antenna site on Mikro Tsal down to Lykodromio. Arrange transport for a traverse.
Start
Gerakas stream trailhead373 m
- Local buses run from Xanthi up the Kosynthos valley to some villages; no confirmed service to Gerakas. A taxi from Xanthi is the practical option.
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerakas stream trailhead → Τσάλ (Αχλαδόβουνο) | 4.6 | 1,055 | 13 | 4h 07m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Gerakas stream trailhead373 m
Track just west of the hamlet of Gerakas (Γέρακας)
- Feature: Gerakas stream crossing452 m
- Feature: Upper north-east flank1,169 m
Steepest part of the climb
- Feature: Άγιος Γεώργιος1,396 m
Summit chapel
- Summit: Τσάλ (Αχλαδόβουνο)1,415 m
Key Passages
- Gerakas stream crossing
- Very steep middle section on the north-east flank
- Summit chapel of Agios Georgios
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 50%Overview
Tsal, or Achladovouno ('pear mountain', from the Turkish Achlat Tsal), is the steep, rocky mountain that rises straight above Xanthi to about 1,400 m. Local hikers call it Xanthi's little Everest: every approach gains around 1,000 m from the valleys, ending at the chapel of Agios Georgios on the summit.
Achladovouno is the southernmost spur of the central Rhodope in Thrace, overlooking the city of Xanthi from the north-west. It is bounded by the Kosynthos river to the east, the Nestos gorge to the west, the Lykodromio pass to the north and the Xanthi plain to the south. The highest summit, Tsal or Agios Georgios after its chapel, is given as 1,415 m (Wikipedia, OSM) or 1,402 m (club and hiking sources); other tops include Karpouzi (about 1,280 m) and Pyramida (1,170 m).
The mountain is steep on all sides, with forest on the lower flanks and rocky, open ground higher up. Small villages sit on its slopes, and old paths link ruined settlements and abandoned Muslim cemeteries. An antenna site stands on the subsidiary top of Mikro Tsal, served by a dirt road from Lykodromio.
Local clubs, notably EOS Xanthi, maintain a network of waymarked trails from Gerakas, Lykodromio, Makario and Xanthi itself, and run regular winter ascents. It is a hard, satisfying day hike directly above the city.
Climbing Notes
Every route involves about 1,000 m of ascent on steep, often rocky paths, so this is a full day for fit hikers rather than a stroll. The direct path from Gerakas takes about 3 hours up; traverses to Xanthi or Lykodromio take 7–9 hours. Carry plenty of water, since springs are scarce. The low altitude makes it a good objective from autumn to spring, when local clubs climb it in winter; summer heat on the open southern slopes is the main problem. Carry a GPS track because many paths and tracks cross the mountain.
Season
Best Mar–May- January: Good
- February: Good
- March: Best (best window)
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Good
- July: Possible
- August: Possible
- September: Good
- October: Best
- November: Best
- December: Good
- Jan
- Club winter ascents; snow possible on top
- Feb
- Snow possible on top
- Mar
- Good conditions
- Apr
- Good conditions
- May
- Good conditions; warming up
- Jun
- Hot on the lower slopes; start early
- Jul
- Very hot; little water
- Aug
- Very hot; little water
- Sep
- Still warm; start early
- Oct
- Good conditions
- Nov
- Good conditions
- Dec
- Cold; snow possible on top
Access & Permits
- Getting There
Xanthi
Kavala (KVA)
- Car: from Xanthi north up the Kosynthos valley to Gerakas (about 10 km)
- Lykodromio trailhead: on the Xanthi–Stavroupoli road, about 15 km from Xanthi
- Some trails start on the northern edge of Xanthi and can be walked from town
- Xanthi has train and long-distance bus connections
Hazards
- Weather