Ypsario
1,206 m
Greece
Also known as Ипсарио, Ipsarion, +4Also known as
Ипсарио · Ipsarion · Υψάριο · Ipsario · Ypsarion · Ypsário
- Elevation
- 1,206 m
- Prominence
- 1,206 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Apr–May
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The popular route up the highest mountain on Thasos: a cobbled mule path and dirt roads west from the village of Potamia, then a steep path up a ravine to the saddle below Spitoudia and the Thasos Mountaineering Club refuge (about 960 m), and a marked trail to the 1,206 m summit. About 1,050 m of ascent and 3–4 hours up.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 6.5 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,091 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,206 m
- Time Up
- 4h 27m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 01m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the western edge of Potamia (about 150 m) a large sign, 'Mountainous Trail to Ypsario', marks the cobbled path heading west. After 1.1 km it meets a dirt road: follow it west, keep straight on (west) along the rough ridge road at a crossroads about 900 m further, and after another 400 m turn left (south). After 300 m the path proper starts, climbing steeply up the slope and the ravine, with potable running water at several points before the refuge. After 1.9 km you reach the saddle between Spitoudia (1,048 m) and Ypsario; turn left (south) on the rough dirt road and after 400 m reach the Yiannis Panagiotou refuge of the Thasos Mountaineering Club, from which the whole route up is visible. From the refuge a marked trail climbs to the summit. Travel.gr gives both 'half an hour, 1,000 m' and about 1½ hours up and 1 hour down for this section, so allow up to 1½ hours. In total the article gives 6.1 km and about 4 hours one way; other descriptions give 2½–3 hours to the summit. Descend the same way, using poles on the steep section into the ravine, or arrange a pick-up at the refuge, which is reachable by a rough dirt road. Other ascents start from Theologos (old footpath) and, more demandingly, from Maries.
Start
Potamia119 m
- KTEL bus from Thasos town (Limenas) to Potamia or Skala Potamias; walk up from Skala Potamias if needed.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potamia → Ypsario | 6.5 | 1,091 | 5 | 4h 27m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Potamia119 m
- Feature: Spring (340 m)334 m
- Col: Spitoudia saddle948 m
- Hut: Yiannis Panagiotou Refuge979 m
- Summit: Ypsario1,206 m
Key Passages
- Steep path up the ravine to the Spitoudia saddle
- Marked trail from the refuge to the summit
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 70%Overview
The 1,206 m high point of Thasos, a broad summit rising straight out of the sea above Potamia and Golden Beach. A long, steep but straightforward day hike of about 1,050 m from the village, with a club refuge at mid-height.
Ypsario (also Ipsario or Ipsarion) is the highest mountain of Thasos, the northernmost large island of the Aegean, off the coast of Eastern Macedonia near Kavala. The mountain fills the centre of the round island; its east flank drops to the village of Potamia and the long sandy bay of Golden Beach, while pine forests and ravines descend on the other sides towards Theologos and Maries. The upper mountain is open, rocky ground above the pine forest, with wide views over the North Aegean.
The usual route climbs from Potamia (about 150 m) by cobbled mule path, dirt roads and a steep ravine path to the saddle below Spitoudia and the Yiannis Panagiotou refuge of the Thasos Mountaineering Club at about 960 m, then by a marked trail to the summit: about 6 km and 3–4 hours one way. The refuge can also be reached by a rough dirt road, which turns the summit into a short walk.
Waymarking on Thasos is inconsistent, and the total height gain makes this a full day; start early in summer to avoid the heat.
Climbing Notes
You need good fitness for about 1,050 m of ascent and descent and 5–6 hours of walking, but no technical skills. Carry plenty of water even though there are springs in the ravine, wear boots, and use poles for the steep descent. The TERRAIN 1:35,000 Thasos map (also on Avenza) is recommended. For a shorter day, arrange a lift to the refuge with the Thasos Mountaineering Club or drive the dirt road and walk from there. In winter the summit can carry snow; check conditions locally.
Season
Best Apr–May- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Good
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Good
- July: Possible
- August: Possible
- September: Good
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Possible snow on the summit; short days
- Feb
- Possible snow
- Jun
- Hot; start early
- Jul
- Very hot on the lower slopes; wildfire risk
- Aug
- Very hot; wildfire risk
- Nov
- Rain and shorter days
- Dec
- Winter weather
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- The Yiannis Panagiotou refuge belongs to the Thasos Mountaineering Club; no public booking system was found.
- Getting There
Potamia (Limenas, Thasos town, for services)
Kavala International Airport (KVA)
- Ferry from Keramoti (near Kavala airport) to Limenas, or from Kavala to Prinos
- KTEL island bus from Limenas to Potamia / Skala Potamias
- Car: coastal ring road to Potamia; a rough dirt road reaches the refuge
Hazards
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 956 m
Yiannis Panagiotou RefugeRefuge