Chelmos (2355m) or Aroania Mountains is the 15th highest mountain of Greece and the 3rd of the Peloponnese. It is on the south-eastern boundary of Achaia prefecture, its largest settlement is Kalavryta, and its highest point is Psili Koryfi (2355m). Located on its slopes is the popular Kalavryta Ski Center, which is benefited by the glacial topography of the massif. The rivers Vouraikos and Krathis both spring from the mountain while the polje of Loussoi and Feneos are also fed by its meltwater.
Chelmos was of great importance to the Ancient Greeks who built temples on its slopes and believed its waters to contain life-giving qualities. In the myth of Achilles, he got his immortality by being bathed in the Waters of Styx, the waterfall which flows on the east face of Neraidorachi (2341m), and which they believed to be the gate of the underworld.
In recent years, the extreme elevation differences of the mountain also drew the attention of mountaineers and climbers who opened several classic alpine routes on the poor-quality limestone. Examples of such routes include “Chtenia Chelmou” (AD+, 800μ), “Kopsi tis Neraidorachis” (V, 900μ) and “Makrinari” (IV 4 M4-, 1000μ). The unique natural beauty and cultural heritage of the area with points of interest such as the Cave Lakes, Spilaio Monastery, Vouraikos Gorge and the cog-railway, as well as lakes Tsivlou and Feneos had as a result the characterization of the area as a UNESCO Geopark.
Access
Access to the mountain is possible from three points. The most common and fastest is via Kalavryta in the valley of Vouraikos while there is also possible access via the village of Peristera in the valley of Krathis. In both cases the best approach is from the North using the National Road Athens-Patras and exiting in Trapeza and Akrata respectively. Approaching the massif from the South for ascents to the peaks of Nisi (2080m), Madero (2130m) and Gardiki (2182m) is possible via the “Diaselo tou Kynigou” Which separates Chelmos (2355m) from Ntourntouvana (2107m) and is accessible from the village of Feneos on the homonymous polje via a medium quality dirt-road.
Route overview
Chelmos is known for its challenging and long routes on the imposing east face of Neraidorachi (2341m), which is one of the largest in Greece with a height of 1000m. Besides this one, and maybe due to the poor quality of the terrain but also winter conditions, few other summits above 2000m have seen similar successes. The mountaineering route “Chtenia Chelmou” (AD+, 800μ) is an exception among alpine climbs which can be done in dry conditions. At a lower altitude there are opportunities for sport climbing at the crag “Tarsos” which features 16 routes of length between 15m and 85m and of difficulty 5b to 7b on the unique alluvial sediments of the area. Near the crag there is also the chapel of “Panagias tou Vrachou” with both it and the crag being accessible via the village of Ano Tarsos in the region of Feneos.
Locations: (3)
Routes: (1)
The unknown west aspect of Chelmos during Winter.
Neraidorachi and Neraidalono. In the center, the Waters of Styx shine in the sun, while the observatory can be seen at the top.
The peak of Psili Koryfi of Chelmos.
J. Raisis climbing at the Tarsos crag.