The road to Mount Helmos is not for timid drivers
Mount Helmos is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.340m (7,677ft) above sea level, located in the Achaea regional unit of Western Greece. It's one of the highest roads in the country.
Where is Mount Helmos?
The peak, also known as Mount Chelmos, is located in the northwestern part of the Peloponnese peninsula, 130 km west of Athens and about 15 km from the city of Kalavryta.
What’s on the summit of Mount Helmos?
The summit is home to an observatory called Helmos Observatory, the National Observatory of Athens. It’s considered one of the darkest locations in Europe: at that altitude, the telescope remains free of light pollution emanating from the lowlands.
How long is the road to Mount Helmos?
The road to the summit is 8.3 km (5.15 miles) long starting from Kalavryta ski resort. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 635 m. The average gradient is 7.65%.
Is the road to Mount Helmos unpaved?
The road to the summit is fully unpaved. A high clearance vehicle is required and a 4x4 recommended. It has very narrow parts and steep sections. It's normal for your palms to sweat looking at those photos, imagine what it must be like before the barriers. But the tiny brick wall at the edge of the road is not going to stop your vehicle from going over.
Is Mount Helmos open in winter?
Set high in the Chelmos mountains, in the southern part of the country, between November and May the peak is usually covered by snow.
Pic: ΖΖΚ ΚΚ