{"id":3538,"date":"2026-09-26T12:30:48","date_gmt":"2026-09-26T12:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/?p=3538"},"modified":"2026-09-27T07:42:29","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T07:42:29","slug":"moutsiala-arenes-lakes-epano-arena-direct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/en\/moutsiala-arenes-lakes-epano-arena-direct\/","title":{"rendered":"Moutsiala Arenes Lakes \u2013 Epano Arena (Direct)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns map-block is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-995f960e wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"553\" height=\"282\" src=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/map25.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3742 size-medium\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/map25.png 553w, https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/map25-300x153.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 553px) 100vw, 553px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Route map<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/map25.png\" data-type=\"URL\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6Oi7icMp\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\">View<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/map25.png\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6Oi7icMp\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\">Download<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns icons-data is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-995f960e wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i class=\"fas fa-route\"><\/i> <strong>Route type<\/strong>: Two-way<br><i class=\"fas fa-chart-line\"><\/i> <strong>Difficulty<\/strong>: 2\/5 (Moderately Difficult)<br><i class=\"fas fa-history\"><\/i> <strong>Duration<\/strong>: 1h 15min<br><i class=\"fas fa-arrows-alt-h\"><\/i> <strong>Length<\/strong>: 2,3km<br><i class=\"fas fa-exchange-alt\"><\/i> <strong>Equivalent length<\/strong>: 2,3km<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> <strong>Ascent<\/strong>: 455m<br> <strong>Descent<\/strong>: 9m<br> <strong>Maximum altitude<\/strong>: 2187m<br> <strong>Minimum altitude<\/strong>: 1734m<br> <strong>Drinking water<\/strong>: Yes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"the-high-and-glorious-peak-2520-or-as-the-locals-used-to-call-tsouka-petsik-is-the-summit-of-mt-grammos-and-the-fourth-highest-peak-of-greece-in-the-shape-of-a-pyramid-it-stands-in-the-middle-of-a-large-complex-of-peaks-and-ridges-of-eastern-grammos-and-it-can-be-reached-with-at-least-four-different-ways\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-palette-color-6-background-color has-background\">Of the two routes leading from the Arenes lakes to the summit of Epano Arena, the most impressive one sets out to tame the somewhat unfathomable eastern face. Far easier than one would imagine when measuring the slope, the route offers the climber a double satisfaction: arriving at a historic summit, rich in memories and views, and at the same time the joy of having subdued, with a little willpower and two feet, the awe that the mountain&#8217;s form once inspired.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The route begins smoothly from the lower lake. The eastern slope is steeply inclined, but nowhere precipitous, and the trail is somewhat demanding though not exposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_01-1.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6Oi7icMp\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"704\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_01-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1658\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_01-1.jpg 704w, https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_01-1-264x300.jpg 264w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 704px) 100vw, 704px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Geum coccineum, \u03c3\u03c0\u03ac\u03bd\u03b9\u03bf\u03c2 \u03ba\u03ac\u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u03ba\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c4\u03c9\u03bd \u03c5\u03b3\u03c1\u03ce\u03bd \u03b8\u03ad\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03bd \u03c3\u03c4\u03b1 \u03c5\u03c0\u03bf\u03b1\u03bb\u03c0\u03b9\u03ba\u03ac \u03bb\u03b9\u03b2\u03ac\u03b4\u03b9\u03b1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the upper lake (water at a rocky fountain) we climb rather persistently to a large shoulder. After enjoying the view eastwards, we continue on a very steep meadow. After a small detour into rockier, steeper terrain, we emerge onto a second shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_02-1.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6Oi7icMp\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"466\" src=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_02-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1659\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_02-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_02-1-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_02-1-768x447.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u0397 \u0393\u03ba\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03cc\u03b2\u03b1 \u03ba\u03ac\u03c4\u03c9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03b1\u03c0\u03b5\u03b9\u03bb\u03ae \u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 \u03b1\u03bb\u03bb\u03b1\u03b3\u03ae\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03c1\u03bf\u03cd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The summit is now close: a persistent but short ascent on broken rock will bring you into the middle of a large group of Civil War fortifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_03-1.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6Oi7icMp\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_03-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_03-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_03-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_03-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u039b\u03b5\u03af\u03c8\u03b1\u03bd\u03b1 \u03c4\u03c9\u03bd \u03bf\u03c7\u03c5\u03c1\u03ce\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 \u0395\u03bc\u03c6\u03c5\u03bb\u03af\u03bf\u03c5, \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03c4\u03b5\u03bb\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03c1\u03ac\u03c7\u03b7 \u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 \u03ba\u03bf\u03c1\u03c5\u03c6\u03ae\u03c2 2520<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After leaving your rucksack beside the small pillar, remember that these heaps of stones were, just a few decades ago, the swaddling clothes of the utopia of another world \u2014 and that this little summit became the unbearable, all-radiant place where the fighters of the Democratic Army tried to carve more gently the inevitable turn of an entire civilisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_04-1.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6Oi7icMp\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"519\" src=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_04-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1661\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_04-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_04-1-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gramos_2520_gistova_04-1-768x498.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u03a3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03c4\u03b5\u03bb\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03c1\u03ac\u03c7\u03b7 \u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 \u03ba\u03bf\u03c1\u03c5\u03c6\u03ae\u03c2 2520<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps, after this thought, the view of Smolikas, Nemertsika and Gamila will seem to you more than simply breathtaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide col-charts is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-995f960e wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"oLATL\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Route walkability<\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"visualizer-front-container\" id=\"chart_wrapper_visualizer-1281-2024025172\"><style type=\"text\/css\" name=\"visualizer-custom-css\" id=\"customcss-visualizer-1281\">.locker,.locker-loader{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%}.locker{z-index:1000;opacity:.8;background-color:#fff;-ms-filter:\"progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(Opacity=80)\";filter:alpha(opacity=80)}.locker-loader{z-index:1001;background:url(https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/plugins\/visualizer\/images\/ajax-loader.gif) no-repeat center center}.dt-button{display:none!important}.visualizer-front-container.visualizer-lazy-render{content-visibility: auto;}.google-visualization-controls-categoryfilter label.google-visualization-controls-label {vertical-align: middle;}.google-visualization-controls-categoryfilter li.goog-inline-block {margin: 0 0.2em;}.google-visualization-controls-categoryfilter li {padding: 0 0.2em;}.visualizer-front-container .dataTables_scrollHeadInner{margin: 0 auto;}<\/style><div id=\"visualizer-1281-2024025172\" class=\"visualizer-front  visualizer-front-1281\"><\/div><!-- Not showing structured data for chart 1281 because description is empty --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"JYkDz\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Distribution over<br> altitudinal zones<\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"visualizer-front-container\" id=\"chart_wrapper_visualizer-1283-983427141\"><style type=\"text\/css\" name=\"visualizer-custom-css\" id=\"customcss-visualizer-1283\">.locker,.locker-loader{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%}.locker{z-index:1000;opacity:.8;background-color:#fff;-ms-filter:\"progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(Opacity=80)\";filter:alpha(opacity=80)}.locker-loader{z-index:1001;background:url(https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/plugins\/visualizer\/images\/ajax-loader.gif) no-repeat center center}.dt-button{display:none!important}.visualizer-front-container.visualizer-lazy-render{content-visibility: auto;}.google-visualization-controls-categoryfilter label.google-visualization-controls-label {vertical-align: middle;}.google-visualization-controls-categoryfilter li.goog-inline-block {margin: 0 0.2em;}.google-visualization-controls-categoryfilter li {padding: 0 0.2em;}.visualizer-front-container .dataTables_scrollHeadInner{margin: 0 auto;}<\/style><div id=\"visualizer-1283-983427141\" class=\"visualizer-front  visualizer-front-1283\"><\/div><!-- Not showing structured data for chart 1283 because description is empty --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"JYkDz\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Elevation profile<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"JYkDz\">Starting &#8211; ending point and maximum elevation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"621\" height=\"284\" src=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/diagramma_oreivasia-06.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1662\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/diagramma_oreivasia-06.png 621w, https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/diagramma_oreivasia-06-300x137.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 621px) 100vw, 621px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group panel-tips has-palette-color-4-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"tips\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Water at the two springs in Moutsiala (one at the lower lake and one at the upper).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trekking poles will prove particularly useful.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group panel-warnings has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"comments\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comments<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Although the area is now well-trodden, keep an eye out for old ordnance, especially inside the ruins of the guerrilla quarters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><i class=\"fas fa-arrows-alt-h\"><\/i> <strong>Length<\/strong>: 2,3km<br \/><i class=\"fas fa-history\"><\/i> <strong>Walking time<\/strong>: 1h 15min<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3718,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mountaineering"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":8}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3538","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3538"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3538\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3744,"href":"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3538\/revisions\/3744"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3538"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grammostrails.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}