GUNUNG · Yunani

Smolikas

Σμόλικας (el)

Information

Elevation: 2.637 m
Country: Yunani (GR)
Location / Range: Pegunungan Pindus (Pindos) utara, unit regional Ioannina, Epirus
Mountain type: Gunung ofiolit (serpentinit)—gunung tertinggi kedua di Yunani (non-vulkanik)
Volcanic?: No (non-volcanic)
Coordinates: 40.0897, 20.9261
Difficulty: Menengah. Pendakian jalur (hiking) tanpa bagian teknis pada rute normal; hari panjang dengan tanjakan bertahap. Ketinggian 2.637 m, medan batu ofiolit, dan jarak menuntut kebugaran serta navigasi di bagian atas yang terbuka
Best Season: Akhir Juni–Oktober bebas salju; puncak musim panas (Juli–September) paling stabil. Musim dingin bersalju & bermedan es menuntut perlengkapan alpin. Badai petir sore hari mungkin di musim panas
Permits & Rules: Tanpa izin khusus. Bagian dari kawasan Pindus yang dilindungi (dekat Taman Nasional Pindus/Valia Calda dan jaringan Natura 2000); ikuti aturan setempat dan jangan berkemah/menyalakan api sembarangan dekat Drakolimni
Hazards: Cuaca berubah cepat & badai petir di punggungan terbuka, kabut yang menyulitkan navigasi di bagian atas, medan batu longgar (scree ofiolit), jarak & ketinggian yang melelahkan, serta sumber air terbatas di jalur atas

Description

Smolikas (Greek: Σμόλικας; 2,637 m) is the second-highest mountain in Greece after Mount Olympus, and the highest peak of the Pindus range. Located in the Ioannina regional unit of Epirus, it is built mainly of dark-greenish ophiolite (serpentinite) rock—remnants of ancient ocean floor—giving its slopes a distinctive geological character. Its main draw is the Drakolimni ('Dragon Lake') of Smolikas, an alpine lake at about 2,200 m inhabited by alpine newts and wrapped in a legend of dragons battling those of the Tymfi Dragon Lake. Unlike a technical peak, Smolikas is generally climbed as a long day hike: the popular route starts from highland villages such as Agia Paraskevi or Pades and passes a chapel, springs, the Drakolimni and the ridge to the summit. The surrounding Pindus area is rich in old black-pine forest, traditional stone villages, and wildlife including brown bears.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Rute klasik selatan: Palioseli → Refuge → Drakolimni → Puncak Geros

Menengah: jalur bertanda tanpa titik berbahaya khusus, tetapi panjang

±6 jam ke puncak (naik bertahap)

From the village of Palioseli (~1,080 m), the trail climbs about 2 h to the Smolikas refuge (~1,750 m), then continues to Drakolimni ('Dragon Lake', ~2,150 m) in roughly 4 h total, and up the open ridge to the Geros summit (2,637 m) in about 6 h. Non-technical but demanding on stamina; June–October recommended.

Source

Rute utara: Agia Paraskevi (Kerasovo) via jalur O3 → Drakolimni → Puncak

Menengah: bagian akhir ke puncak relatif ringan bila tanpa beban

8.00 km +1100 m ±5 jam ke Drakolimni, +1 jam ke puncak

From the Agia Paraskevi/Profitis Ilias side in the north, the O3 trail runs about 8 km with ~1,100 m gain to Drakolimni in around 5 h, then a short final push to the 2,637 m Geros summit. Suited to hikers who want to camp by the lake before summiting.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Smolikas draws hikers aiming for Greece's second-highest summit and the legendary high-altitude Drakolimni ('Dragon Lake'). The classic southern route sets off from the village of Palioseli to the Smolikas refuge, then on to Drakolimni before climbing the open ridge to the 'Geros' summit (2,637 m). An alternative northern route follows the O3 trail from Agia Paraskevi (Kerasovo). Documented experiences include Greek- and English-language ascent films, drone footage over Drakolimni, and blog reports of camping by the lake. Hikers generally describe the route as long but not technically dangerous, with a relatively easy final push to the summit when unladen.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.