Distance

3.0 km to summit

8.2 km total

Elevation

290 m start

Vertical

360 m gain

Time

2 hr 10 min to summit

4 hr 40 min total

rom the track off the road between Pogonia and Plagia at 38.82535N, 20.80134E. I took the grit track up the ridge, escaping a dog near some farm buildings. Higher up a path leaves the track before it descends, to reach the summit in the midst of the 5th Century BC fortifications. There is a cylindrical trig, with a deep ancient cistern nearby. The lay-out of the fort can clearly be seen.

Rather than take the easy route back with the possibility of another dog encounter, I decided to follow the path shown on maps along and down the SW ridge. This proved to be long and slow, picking my way along the quite narrow ridge in tough bouldery karst terrain. Route finding was not always easy, but following goat tracks allowed slow progress.

Eventually I emerged on a small plateau, weaving down between thorn bushes, at 38.79948N, 20.76898E. From there I picked my way down the steep north flank of the hill, eventually emerging on the road, at 38.80333N, 20.76937E. I did not escape a good selection of thorn scratches on the descent.

I then hiked the road north-east into the ruined village of Plagia, where my wife picked me up.
Hot and sunny.
A fine mountain, not to be under-rated in difficulty, despite its modest height, if doing the full traverse, as I did.

Route to summit

From Pogonia - Plagia road

loop
Obstacles

routefinding

Key gear

trekking poles, GPS device