Parnassus is one of the most famous mountains in the world. In ancient times it was considered the sacred mountain of Apollo, where nymphs lived. This is one of the highest mountains in Greece.
Its highest point, Liakoura, reaches 2459 m. In winter, Parnassus and its surroundings are a popular ski resort, visited mainly by residents of Athens, which are located 180 km from Arachova, the center of the ski resort of Parnassus. 25 km from Arachova there is a lift that leads almost to the very top. In summer you can climb to the top of Parnassus. This is a very interesting hike for two or three days, in one day it is still tiring, although there were heroes. But it seems to me that without special sports training or without specially ordered transport, this ascent cannot be accomplished in one day.

To the top of Parnassus - Liakoura

To Parnassus by car

You can climb to the very top of Parnassus, Liakura, from July to the end of September, when it is practically devoid of snow. There are two ways - from Arakhova by car to the end of the road, and then to Liakuru for an hour and a half along a rocky path sharply upward. Of course, for such a road trip you need a four-wheel drive jeep.

To Parnassus on foot

The completely pedestrian route begins from a completely different direction - from the village of Tiforeya along the majestic Velitsa gorge. This journey will take about 8 hours one way, so it’s impossible to make it during daylight hours even at the end of June.

It is better to go slowly with a tent and walk the path from Tiphorea to Itea through.

In the Velitsa gorge you can see the huge Tsares waterfalls.

The elevation difference is more than 2400 m, the climb is very steep. This hike is not possible for me without a tent.

The village of Tiforea itself is easily accessible by public transport. Tiphorea is located on the Athens-Thessaloniki railway. Not all trains on this route stop at the small station of Kato Tiforea, so you need to find the right one and arrive the night before. From there it is about 5 km to the village itself. It's not that far - you can walk, though uphill.

In addition, Tiforea is located on the old Athens-Lamia national road, but unfortunately, most buses take a detour along the seashore.

Tiforea is divided into a station town - Kato Tiforea and a traditional village on the slopes of Parnassus with stone houses, ancient fortress walls, a castle and a traditional water mill. Ancient walls, castle and mosaic on the floor in the church of St. John dates back to the 3rd - 4th century AD. At the beginning of the Velica gorge there is an old water mill.

The churches of Avva Zosima and St. are also nearby. George and the Cave of Odysseus - there are signs everywhere.

Already from Kato Tiforei the beginning of the Velitsa gorge will be visible. From there, five km along flat terrain, avoiding only fields, and now you are already at the entrance to the gorge. At the entrance to the gorge there is the Church of St. Ilya among the majestic western slopes. Further along the path, which will end at the Church of St. Georg. There you need to turn to the stream, cross it and go to another church - St. John. Locals say that the journey there will take 1.5 hours. From the church you need to go up a little, and the trail will get better. This trail leads to Tsares Falls. It is said to be part of the E4 Trans-European Trail, which leads across Europe from Spain to Athens, and at this point the trail is visible and passable. It will take another two hours to reach the waterfall.

Whether you reach the top or decide to turn back earlier, this walk will be unforgettable - magnificent rocks, wild spruce trees, peace and quiet away from the city.

Descent to Delphi and Kirra along the E4 trail

Having climbed the E4 trail in Tiphorea, you can follow it down towards Delphi, because this trail also passes there. It goes out to the sea in the area of ​​Kirra, from where you can go to Patras, and then to Crete, where the trail actually leads but with a long transport break in trekking - a ferry trip. So, if you decide to go on a multi-day camping trip, plan your first campsite at the end of the forest on Liacourt on the Tiforea side. The next day you will reach the summit and begin your descent to Delphi. To do this, passing the highlands with its steppe and ski resort, you will find yourself in the village of Kalyvia Arachovas. Please note that there will be another attraction nearby just above the village of Kroki - the cave of Korikeo Andro, where the secret sanctuary of Pan was located, where there is an excellent place to stay for the night. The cave itself also deserves attention - you can go down into it and examine the stalactites. This is an even more ancient place than Delphi, perhaps. From there it is half a day's journey to Delphi. If you leave the cave in the morning, you can have time to see the ruins of the Delphic Oracle and the museum before they close. You will also have time to go down to the sea - down to Kirra.

Of course, the difference in altitude, and therefore temperature, should be taken into account. In some gorges the snow does not melt even in summer. It is necessary to have closed windproof clothing. You should also take care of insulation for the evening, since as soon as the sun sets behind the slope, the northern cold reigns even on the hottest days of the year. If you are planning to spend the night on the mountainside, then you need to take even more clothes. Take a reliable flashlight with you, preferably two.

Greece is an ancient country, replete with not only visually beautiful, but also historically remarkable places. One of them is Parnassus, a mountain that has not lost its significance to this day, although it has changed its role in the life of Greece.

Why is the mountain called Parnassus?

The etymology of the name of one of the greatest Greek landmarks is very interesting. Disputes between scientists have not subsided to this day. The overwhelming majority of them believe that the mountain received the name “Parnassus” in the pre-Greek era and has Hittite roots. In the language of this people, the word “parna” meant “home, refuge, comfort.” However, some researchers insist that the mountain got its name from the Greek word Παρνόπιος. It can be translated as “locust” - this is one of Apollo’s nicknames: his statues were placed in places suffering from attacks by these insects, in the hope that God would protect the crops.

Historical landmark

At one time, Mount Parnassus was considered the favorite peak of the gods, which they visited for recreation and from where, with the highest probability of an answer, one could contact one of the inhabitants of Olympus. The ancient Greeks called this place the navel (center) of the Earth. On its slopes there was located (and to a certain extent still preserved) the world-famous Delphic sanctuary, which received the oracle of Apollo - the Pythia. A miraculous spring is also located here, and at the foot of it were carried out, glorified by ancient Greek authors. Moreover, when Zeus was angry and decided to flood the earth to destroy humanity, Deucalion, the son of Apollo, on the advice of his father, built a ship (there is an analogy with Noah, however, besides Deucalion there was only his wife) and after ten days of travel he landed at the top of Parnassus. The sacrifices made to Zeus appeased the god, and the human race was revived.

Parnassus is a mountain that has been considered since ancient times the refuge of muses and the inspiration of poets, even after the extinction of Hellenic culture. With its mention, the study of ancient Greek in schools began until the 19th century.

Modern value of Parnassus

To begin with, we note that it is now considered not a single peak, but the entire chain to which it belongs. In modern times, Parnassus is a mountain on which a national park with an area of ​​3.5 thousand hectares is located. On the territory of Greece it is the largest and oldest, with the richest collection of fauna and flora.

Since 1976, Mount Parnassus has been an attractive and wonderful ski resort. It is named after its location and is the largest and best equipped in Greece. The ski season here is open from early December to mid-April. The ski center offers twenty pistes. Of these, 20% are difficult, which even some professionals cannot overcome, and the rest are approximately equally divided into easy, for beginners, and moderate, for fairly experienced skiers. It is curious that the prices for a day of skiing are quite affordable: for an adult - 15 euros, for children 5-17 years old - 14, and for old people and children - just one euro.

A special feature of the resort is the absence of hotels. This nuance in some way makes it even more attractive: for an overnight stay, people go to the historically and aesthetically attractive Delphi or the very curious resort village of Arachova, which is famous, in addition to its lively nightlife and cuisine for all tastes, for its hand-made carpets and exclusive cheeses and wines.

Where is Mount Parnassus located?

The current starting point is the resort of the same name, which is very much loved by the capital’s residents: it is located only 150 kilometers from Athens. In general, Mount Parnassus in Greece lies on the northern coast and acts as a natural border between Locris, Phocis and Boeotia. Geographically, this mountain range belongs to central Greece.

A funny geographical fact is that Mount Parnassus also exists near St. Petersburg. Moreover, there are two of them in this area. One, since 1755, has been located in and the second - on the Pargolovskaya manor, where even the metro station near the St. Petersburg version of the Greek mountain is called “Parnassus”. Despite the fact that they are not located in Greece, they are tourist attractions and are visited by visitors from all over the world.

Greece, Mount Parnassus.

1 600 - 2 300 m.

Parnassus- a mountain range in Central Greece. On its slope are the ancient Delphi - the “navel of the Earth” - with the temple of Apollo, where the mysterious priestess Pythia predicted fate on behalf of God himself. The Kastalsky spring, dedicated to the muses, originates here. Parnassus is the mountain of muses and a symbol of poetic art.

The Parnassus center is a favorite holiday destination for residents of the Greek capital, as it is located only 180 km from Athens. The ski season lasts from December to April.

Modern ski lifts will allow you to reach the highest points in 5 minutes, from where you can go down 20 ski slopes (including those with FIS classification) with a length of 600 to 4,000 m. The ski area at Parnassos Mountain is located at altitudes with a drop of 1,600 – 2,300 m, and this is the largest and best organized ski center in the country.

Construction of the Ski Center here began in 1975 and was completed in 1976. And in 1981 construction work was completed in Kellaria. Six years later, the “Hermes” lift connecting the regions of Fterolaca and Kellaria began operating. For now, Parnassos remains a favorite ski destination for Athenians. Skiers and snowboarders, especially during the weekend, come here in their hundreds. And this is not surprising, since the Center has twenty trails with a total length of 14 km. 16 of them are from 600 m to 4 km, with 13 for beginners and advanced skiers, and 3 “black” for masters. At the same time, its infrastructure (cafe, service, rental, first aid stations at Fterolaca and Kellaria stations) is such that it provides quick service to a large number of visitors. Another advantage of the Center is the daily operation of all services with a lower ski pass. The center offers traditional food and spirits in Fterolaka and Kellaria with convenient self-service in restaurants and coffee shops.

There are no hotels in the ski area. The Greeks explain their absence by the needs for the development of adjacent Communities and Municipalities, so skiers go to nearby villages for the night (maximum distance - 20 km) with very good hotels and cottages. For example, in the resort town of Arahovo, where tourists usually stay, there is a very interesting nightlife. In cafes, bars, and nightclubs you can not only eat delicious food, but also listen to music for every taste: from folk to jazz. You can combine an unusual winter trip with an excursion to the capital - Athens, to explore the world-famous ancient architectural monuments.

Although the local nature cannot be called untouched, since there is a ski station above Arachova and all the associated facilities. The best route for hiking is from Delphi to the Corycian Cave (from April to November, but not in mid-summer, you can go out not at dawn) and the more difficult climb to the top of Llacoura (only from May to October).

If you intend to explore the mountain in more detail, it is worth purchasing Road Editions map No. 42, called “Parnassus,” or Anavasi map No. 1, also called “Parnassus,” such an investment will pay off, although neither map is free from errors. Attached to the “Road” map is a brochure describing the route to the Corycian Cave.

From Delphi to Corycian Cave (Greece)

You will have to devote a whole day to the enterprise - the climb to the cave will take four hours, the descent to Delphi will take a little less time - and you will also need to take with you more food supplies. To get to the trail - to the starting point of the route - you (if you are moving from the side) will first need to find a street going up through the entire village of Delphi - officially Apollonos. Having climbed along its right side to the highest point - at the church, turn right onto the road leading back to the house-museum (daily except Tuesday and Wednesday 8:30-15:00), in which the poet Angelos Sikelianos once lived - look for At home there is his bust and the grave of his first wife, Eva Pamer.

The exhibition in the museum is mainly dedicated to the revived Delphic festival - this festival was organized by the couple in 1927-1930. From the museum, continue up the winding gravel road until you reach the highest point of the enclosure surrounding the sanctuary ruins. The path will end at a gate, but you don’t need to go inside the fence - it’s better to turn onto the path on your left: at the beginning it is marked with black and yellow rectangles on a white background. Beyond the small peak the trail continues and is clearly visible, but the markers change to black and yellow metal diamonds: this is section of the European Long Distance Trail No. E-4.

At first very steep, the path soon levels out on a grassy knoll above the stadium, after which it goes along a ridge and reaches a line of charred cypress trees. You will soon reach an ancient cobblestone road to an enclosed area, Kaki Skala, which zigzags up the slope above a wide arch. The cobblestones end at the two concrete guarded structures that supply Delphi with water, which are an hour's walk above the village, on top of the Phedriades rock. In ancient times, those accused of blasphemy were thrown from one of several nearby rocks, hence the name Kaki-Skala - the ladder of the unfortunate.

Trail markers for trail no. E-4 are also visible in the valley ahead, where the route extends along a gravel road to the northeast, but you don't go there, but follow the metal sign to the cave, take a right at the fork near the Kroki spring and the water chutes to the complex of summer houses remained on your right. This road, paved in places, passes through picnic areas and the Chapel of St. Paraskeva within 15 minutes. After a 40-minute descent from the chapel, you will come to another sign for the cave as you emerge from the fir forests (2 hours 40 minutes from Delphi) and views open to the east and ahead to Yerondovrachos Peak (2367 meters) and the Parnassus Massif.

• Corycian cave in Greece

After 15 minutes you will come to the second Holy Trinity Chapel on the left, where there is a spring and a picnic area. To the left rises a steep mountain, on the left slope of which is the Corycian cave. Ignore the sign (in Greek only) behind the chapel, which is on the old bad road, and walk a few more minutes to the white bilingual sign for the new road, marked with orange spots and red triangular signs. After a 40 minute climb you will reach another dirt road, turn left and walk for about 5 minutes, the road ends just below a clearly visible cave entrance at an altitude of 1370 meters.

The Corycian cave has been known since ancient times, in which it was dedicated to Pan and the nymphs - these deities dominated Delphi during the winter months. In November, rituals were performed in the cave; nymphs were portrayed by women who, with torches in their hands, made the long ascent from Delphi along Kaki Skala. The cave itself is gloomy, but if you shine a flashlight and look closely, you can see ancient inscriptions at the entrance. Without a powerful source of artificial lighting, visibility is poor - no further than 100 meters ahead. Near the entrance there is a stone with a round depression - probably this is an altar on which libations were poured.

The peak of Lyakura in Greece

Lyakura is the highest and most beautiful peak of the Parnassus massif (2457 meters). You can start the ascent either from Delphi or from the southeastern foot of the mountain. The second option is better: the starting point is Titorea, but to get to the trail, you need to go by bus or train, and then take a taxi - and you’ll probably have to spend the night on the mountain. If you want to look at Parnassus, but don’t really want to suffer, then it’s probably easier to start from Delphi, building a route as a continuation of the foray to the Corycian cave: spend the night after the cave in the village of Kalyvya on the Livadi plateau - it’s a 45-minute walk from the cave to the village. The village has plenty of chalet hotels for skiers and taverns, although many of these establishments are closed in the summer.

More energetic people can try to jump over the entire massif in a day, starting a long hike at dawn to Zemeno, between Arachova and Oedipus Tripath, and descending to Ano Titorea - or vice versa. After Zemeno, where there are a couple of affordable hotels and restaurants, the trail, initially signposted as part of local trail 22, climbs 1,200 meters to Baitanoraha, and then passes a pass known as Sideroporta before joining the mountain path. , coming from Titorea. However, it would be wiser to take with you food for the day, two liters of water per person, and at least the essentials for spending the night in nature: bad weather does not warn of its arrival, there are many springs, but they are scattered over a vast area and are rarely encountered along the road , and the tourist centers for climbers at the top are either closed or very poor.

• To Lyakura - from Titorea through the Velitsa ravine (Greece)

The main route through the virgin Parnassian nature is not complete without a train or bus - otherwise you will not get to Kato Titorea. Then you will need to climb to a village 6 kilometers higher, it is called Titorea and the easiest way to overcome the climb is by taxi. Expect more than six hours, which will take the ascent with a backpack on your shoulders, and the return journey will take about 4.5 hours. The village itself is indescribably beautiful: stone houses dotted with patches of the ancient wall (including a carefully built tower), and in the Church of St. John the Evangelist there are luxurious ancient Christian mosaics preserved under glass. There are many taverns near the picturesque platia; you can rent a room in Tithorea.

From the main square of Titorei, head north-west and, after passing a church with several graves next to it, go through another, smaller, Andrutsu square (with a bust of the Greek revolutionary for whom it is named - this figure was hiding nearby). Continuing along the stone-paved path, past the last village houses, you come to a red-on-white diamond on the sign, behind which there is a semicircular platform paved with paving stones with a plane tree, a fountain and a cement proskinitario, and behind the square the huge Velitsa ravine opens up.

The further route mostly passes through the forest, but water will appear only when you have gone more than half the way to the Tsares spring. Just after, the route intersects with the route to Baitonorahi from Zemeno, shortly after the base on Llyakura peak. On the last part of the climb, you climb to the top in about twenty minutes without much difficulty, moving more or less along the edge of the ridge. If the day turns out to be clear, then, especially after rain, you will see in the north, the Aegean Sea in the east, and the Ionian Sea in the west, and filling the entire south.

In Hellenic Greece, there were many myths and legends dedicated to the twelve Olympian gods, their servants or heroes. As a result of these beliefs, a large number of different temples were built, and individual natural objects were elevated to the rank of sacred. For example, there are only three sacred mountains in Greece: Olympus, where, according to ancient Greek mythology, the gods led by Zeus lived, Parnassus - the favorite mountain of the god Apollo and his muses, as well as Athos (this mountain became sacred after being adopted by Greece Orthodoxy, on its territory there is a so-called Autonomous Monastic State).

Geographical location of Mount Parnassus

Mount Parnassus in Greece is the “center of the earth.” According to legend, two eagles met near this mountain, released by Zeus simultaneously to different parts of the world. The stone over which they met was called omphalos and was preserved in the temple of Apollo at Delphi on Mount Parnassus.
Strictly speaking, Mount Parnassus is not exactly a mountain, but a whole mountain range, which is an integral part of the Pindu mountain range and extends in the direction from south to east. The highest point of the Parnassus mountain range is Mount Liacoura, whose height is 2457 m above sea level.
At an altitude of 570 meters above sea level on the southeastern side of Mount Parnassus is the city of Delphi. Small, with an area of ​​only about 315 sq. km and a population of no more than 2.5 thousand people, the city of Delphi is nevertheless world famous and is even on the World Heritage List, due to the fact that in its place are the ruins of the Temple of Apollo (as well as many other ancient buildings) and the famous Delphic oracle. The Pythian Games were previously held in the Delphi region of Mount Parnassus, which, according to legend, was started by Apollo himself.

Journey to Mount Parnassus

When going on a tour of Greece and planning a trip to Delphi, Mount Parnassus, you should not limit your visit to this area to one day. Mount Parnassus makes an indelible impression, so you can stay longer here, especially if the trip is organized in winter.
Of course, the main historical attractions are concentrated in the area of ​​the Delphi settlement on Mount Parnassus, but, having enriched yourself with cultural knowledge and impressions, you can also explore natural attractions. In 1938, a national natural park of Greece was organized on Mount Parnassus; its territory covers a huge area - more than 3.5 thousand hectares. Wonderful relict trees and plants covering the slopes of the mountain are preserved here, as well as a rich fauna: many species of birds of prey, wolves, wild boars, foxes, weasels, etc. There are also a large number of caves, beautiful waterfalls and springs, the most famous of which is the Castalian spring, located in the Delphi region of Mount Parnassus.
In addition to Delphi, traditional Greek villages located on Mount Parnassus are also interesting to visit, where you can learn more about the life of the population, which in these parts has changed little over the centuries.

Mount Parnassus - for risk lovers

For those who like to have an active holiday, a ski resort is organized on Mount Parnassus, which operates from December to early May. The resort is located near the highest point of Mount Parnassus at an altitude of 1600 - 2250 meters. Every year hundreds of people come here to ski and snowboard at an amateur and professional level.
You can also take hiking tours along the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Various routes with difficulty corresponding to category E4 have been developed and tested here.