"Mount Taygetos is a spectacular rock mountain comprising five peaks, the highest of which is an impressive pyramid, with an old stone chapel on top dedicated to the prophet Elija, hence the peaks name "Profitis Ilias". There is an annual pilgrimage on the 20th July to the top. It is very popular to sleep on the summit and to watch the sunrise with its magnificent pyramidal shadow. Perhaps the ancient greeks believed this was the chariot of Helios. When we climbed Mount Taygetos (Profitis Ilias peak) we had no intention of bivouacking on the top and opted for a light and fast day hike from Taygetos Mountain refuge(1550m) run by the local mountaineering club of Sparta. The refuge can be accessed by car on a rather rough and rocky dirt road. Some consider this cheating, and by doing this we missed by far the prettiest part of the route which climbs up steeply through beautiful pine forests from the Manganiari Springs 500m lower down. From the hut it took us just two and a half hours of steady walking to reach the top. The path is very rocky and it demands good footwork as well as study footwear! It is very well marked with red paint and even signposts. From the hut it climbs steadily..." — chrispatient • May 27, 2024

"A good hike from the refuge to the east (1550m). Starts in forest then exposed for the rest of the walk, the first half roughly NNW before switching back, eventually reaching the saddle between this and Athanati Rachi. Lots of varied geology. Saw small blue butterflies, and larger, yellow ones, plus some lizards and some unusual bugs. Plus a large bee with a bright green head. Some snow still in the hollows, compacted and a metre thick, I wonder how long it will last. Climb steep in parts, a couple of sections relatively flatter. The top of the peak has some stone-built shelters in various states of repair. Not many people for a popular peak, met three couples and a solitary guy. Same route on way back with a detour up the neighbouring Athanati Rachi. This was impressive as there is a steep drop on the part you don't see from Ilias, and a view deep into the range." — vygodski • Jun 21, 2023

"Climbed after Profitas Illias. Straightforward from saddle. Route actually marked with orange splodges on the rocks, but made my own way. A great view of lots of other great areas to explore." — vygodski • Jun 21, 2023

"Arrived at just over 2000m in a vehicle from the ski-base to southeast of the top on a very rough track. From here it was a straightforward if not guiltless trek to the top, pretty much directly up. Guilt, yes, but so out of shape, need to find my mountain legs again. Well marked trail mostly on loose gravel and small rock. Small shelter on top with concrete pillar, the adjacent high point looked higher, well it always does, doesn't it, so I checked that out, and confirmed it wasn't (unless the same logic applied in reverse that is, logic has a habit of that - damn Greeks). Back same way. " — vygodski • Jun 19, 2023

"Me and a friend we climbed Kyllini (Ziria) on a weekend trip from Athens. We started from Ziria ski center and spent the night by a clear gurgling streamlet, some half way up the mountain. We went up the summit on the next morning. The sky was foggy, so, unfortunately, we didn't get to wonder at the amazing view which we'd otherwise have, but the mountain was definitely enchanting as it was, and we also encountered a drove of wild horses high up the mountain. Complete Trip Report, Photos, Video, and Route Map: http://www.variouscuriousstuff.com/2017/06/13/trip-mount-kyllini/" — DimitriosFan • Jun 11, 2017