Velouchi or Tymfristos (2313m) is the 17th highest mountain of Greece, which dominates the skyline above the city of Karpenisi, within Evrytania prefecture of Central Greece. Its highest peak is called Seintani, below which is the Velouchi Ski Center, the mountain hut, and alpine lake, while from its slopes spring, in part, the rivers Karpenisiotis and Spercheios.
The mountain foothills have been settled since before the Hellenistic period, with the Treasure of Karpenisi showcasing the skills of the local goldsmiths, as well as the wealth of the clients. According to mythology, Karpenisi was once ruled by King Evrytos whose bow was used by Odysseus to kill Penelope’s suitors.
Today Velouchi is primarily a destination for year-round nature tourism, with a focus on hiking but also other purely touristic activities. Today most popular is hiking on the routes leading to the mountain’s peaks alongside backcountry skiing and snowboarding, while there is a lack of developed sport climbing crags in the vicinity.
Access
Access to Velouchi is achieved mainly via Karpenisi, following the provincial road which ascends to the ski center. The most common approach for Karpenisi is from the east, following the Lamia - Karpenisis National Road and crossing the Rachi Tymfristou pass via a tunnel. Alternatively, access from West Greece is possible by the Agrinio - Karpenisi National Road via the Koryschades mountain pass.
Accommodation
At Diavolotopos, next to the ski center, and at an elevation of 1875m is the Velouchi mountain hut “A. Lefkaditis” which was refurbished in 2024 and has a capacity of 30 beds.
Climbing history
Velouchi is an emblematic Greek mountain which served as a center for the development of skiing and winter hiking, but which did not win over climbers and alpinists. Less than 10 routes have been recorded on the massif, which vary greatly in difficulty, from PD up to VI+, and in height, between 38m to 800m. The main face and headwall have a southern orientation while the rock type is limestone.
Velouchi offers mainly mixed winter terrain on the impressive rocky headwall of the huge couloir of the summit, as well as individual traditional rock-climbing routes on the Petra formation. The most characteristic natural like is the “Central couloir” (PD, 800m), whose difficulty and danger increase significantly depending on snow-cover. Similar problems can be found on modern routes such as “Nika - Koutsoumpi” (II PD+ M2+ 40°, 200m), due to their exposed exits. The safer and only dry conditions alternative is the route “Fall” (VI+, 38m) at Petra.
The rock quality at Velouchi is very poor and is characterized by difficulties in protection, as well as the high frequency of rock-fall, visible mainly at higher altitudes.
