Xerovouni
1,660 m
Greece
Also known as Херовуни, Ξεροβούνι, +2Also known as
Херовуни · Ξεροβούνι · Ксировуни · Xerovoúni
- Elevation
- 1,660 m
- Prominence
- 1,041 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- May–Jun
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1An unmarked walk from Anogeio (about 1,100 m), the highest village in Preveza prefecture, onto the bare limestone crest of Xerovouni and east to its 1,660 m high point where Preveza, Arta and Ioannina meet. About 600 m of ascent over stony pasture with shepherds' huts and no paths or waymarks; allow 3–4 hours up.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 6.3 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +600 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,660 m
- Time Up
- 2h 52m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 14m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Anogeio sits at about 1,100 m on the south-western slopes of Xerovouni, the long, narrow limestone ridge north of Filippiada between the Louros and Arachthos rivers. Above the village the mountain is bare: stony fields, sheepfolds and seasonal stone huts, with occasional wells but no reliable springs. The old shepherds' path up the Chalasmeni stream leads to the Konnaris huts and the Laka Bilonitsa pasture basin below the Kipos top, from where the crest can be followed. The high point lies about 5 km east-north-east of Anogeio, on a broad, stony crest surrounded by a funnel-shaped central basin and several tops of 1,550–1,650 m. There is no marked trail; the walking is not technical, but navigation by GPS track is essential, especially in cloud. The Nezis mountain encyclopaedia (2010) gives about 4 hours from Anogeio; a recorded winter loop that started above the village climbed about 600 m in about 2¾ hours. Descend the same way. Other published approaches start from Dafnoti (about 500 m) on the Arta side, from Platanoussa, from Sklivani (730 m) on the Ioannina side, or from Kalentzi and Ravenia further north.
Start
Anogeio1,093 m
- None to Anogeio; drive from Filippiada or Preveza
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anogeio → Xerovouni | 6.3 | 600 | 33 | 2h 52m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Anogeio1,093 m
- Summit: Xerovouni1,660 m
Key Passages
- Stony, pathless crest between Laka Bilonitsa and the high point
Equipment
0/4 packedDownloads
Route confidence 40%Overview
A long, bare limestone ridge in southern Epirus where Preveza, Arta and Ioannina meet, rising to about 1,660 m between the Louros and Arachthos rivers. Unmarked and little visited: a stony, pathless walk across shepherds' pastures from the high village of Anogeio.
Xerovouni (also Xirovouni, 'dry mountain') is a narrow ridge about 25 km long, a western outlier of the southern Pindus north of Filippiada. The Louros drains its western side and the Arachthos its eastern side; Tomaros rises to the north-west and the Athamanika (Tzoumerka) to the north-east. Forests cover the lower slopes, but above about 1,100 m the limestone is bare, with dry grassland, stony fields, sheepfolds and stone huts around a central funnel-shaped basin ringed by tops of 1,550–1,650 m.
Villages climb high on its flanks: Anogeio at about 1,100 m is the highest village in Preveza prefecture, Platanoussa and Dafnoti lie on the Arta side and Sklivani on the Ioannina side. Despite its name the mountain has rivers, villages and wells, but water is scarce on the crest. Vultures and Egyptian vultures are seen over the ridge.
There are no huts or waymarked summit routes, and the mountain sees few walkers beyond local clubs. In return it offers wide views over the Tzoumerka, the Amvrakikos Gulf and the mountains of Valtos.
Climbing Notes
Allow a full day: about 600 m of ascent from Anogeio but 3–4 hours each way on stony, pathless ground. Good boots, a GPS track and plenty of water are essential, and the bare crest is very hot in summer and exposed to wind and cloud. Shepherds and their dogs use the high pastures from late spring to autumn; keep a respectful distance from the flocks.
The best months are May–June and September–October. In winter the crest often carries snow; the access roads to the high villages may be icy. EOS Arta and EOS Preveza include the mountain in their programmes from time to time, which is a good way to go with someone who knows the ground.
History
The mountain has been suggested as the ancient Mount Polyaenos, and the 4th-century BC Molossian site of Orraon lies near Ammotopos on its flanks. For centuries Sarakatsani and Tzoumerka shepherds drove their flocks along its foothills between summer and winter pastures. In July 1943 the EDES resistance headquarters for Xirovouni fought occupation forces around Anogeio. The Plaka bridge over the Arachthos, on the eastern side of the mountain, was built in 1866.
Season
Best May–Jun- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Good
- April: Good
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Possible
- August: Possible
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Snow likely on the crest; icy village roads
- Feb
- Snow likely on the crest
- Apr
- Snow patches possible high up
- Jun
- Start early
- Jul
- Very hot, no shade or water on the crest
- Aug
- Very hot, no shade or water on the crest
- Nov
- Short days
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- No huts. Stay in Filippiada, Arta or Preveza.
- Getting There
Filippiada; Arta
Aktion / Preveza (PVK); Ioannina (IOA)
- By car from Filippiada on mountain roads to Anogeio (about 1,100 m); other trailheads are Dafnoti and Platanoussa (Arta side) and Sklivani (Ioannina side)
- No practical public transport to the trailhead villages
Hazards
- Weather
- Remoteness