Pinovon, Aetochori-Korfula 2154m-Visogrand 2150m-Mavros Vrahos 1965m ( Πίνοβο )

Pinovo Mt, Aetochori-Korfula 2154m-Visogrand 2150m-Mavros Vrahos 1965m-Aetochori

Text in English ( Κέιμενο γραμμένο στην Αγγλική. Τυχόν περίεργες φράσεις και συντακτικά λάθη οφείλονται στην αυτόματη μετάφραση ).

A beautiful hike to the two highest Summits of Mt Pinovon and also to a lesser peak, Mavros Vrahos. Please note that the route is long and with a respectable altitude gain.. Starting point is the small main square of Aetochori village ( meaning village of the eagles ). The route is marked with dense, yellow-red signs. If only an ascent on the highest peak of Pinovo - Korfula 2154m is intended, the route will be smaller in numbers, 23.1 km and +1540m altitude gain.

Description:

Starting off from the village we follow a dirt road. At 1.4 km on a tight turn we leave the dirt rd for the trail to the west. Soon the trail leads to a distinct Triangular Rock overlooking the Almopian valley. A WWI era tunnel, serving as a protected observation post, has been dug at it's foot.

Heading west, we follow the dirt road again. We soon reach a creek crossing and enter the trail again heading NW. At start we cross through dense low water vegetation and then through dense harsh, low tree forest. We reach a short scree traverse. Reaching a small clearing, we continue into a dense beech forest. The trail which at this point is wide and plain, passes under the forest canopy in a beautiful scenery. Passing by, a couple of seasonal springs, we reach at 1500m altitude, where the forest line is situated.

Following the grassy brook slope heading north, we reach a rock plateau with big boulder rocks, just between two steep rocky peaks. There is a sign marking a spring, at the foot of a big triangular rock, at 1650m approx. The water is drinkable. We continue ascending north, aiming at the col between Visogrand and Kalogeros peaks. Just before reaching it, the trail turns west to the Visogrand traverse. It gradually gains altitude and crossing over two small cols, it reaches the main ridgeline of the mountain. This point is marked with a numbered concrete pillar, since it' s situated on the border line, between Greece and Fyrom.

The route for Korifula peak which is now visible, follows the broad ridge line, heading SW. Using the clear WWI era trails, it crosses through a plateau and finally reaches the summit, marked with a topographic pillar and a sign. The view from Korfula summit, 2.154m, is quite impressive and Olympus Mt far south, is visible.

On the way back, a quick ascent to Visogrand Peak 2.150m ( meaning Wall of rock in slavic ) from the afore mentioned border pillar, is well worth. Visogrand peak is also marked with a topographic pillar and a sign. On this recording instead of returning to the point with the border pillar, a quite steep but quick descent to the main trail ,was chosen. This part descents on a grassy slope and then on rocky ridge.

Reaching the main trail on a small col, a small 10min, an ascent to the lesser peak Mavros Vrahos 1965m, is possible.

Total distance 24.4 km, 2.040m cumulative ascent.

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