Ilioupoli – Karea

Rock Climbing on Hymettus

93 routes · 6 sectors · a century of climbing on Athens' western slopes

A Brief History

The climbing areas of Ilioupoli and Karea, on the western slopes of Hymettus, have attracted climbers since the 1920s. Systematic activity began in the 1950s with pioneers Giorgos Michaelidis and Prodromos (Makis) Idosidis, both residents of nearby neighbourhoods.

Sporadic activity is recorded for 1960-63 and 1976-79, while between 1989 and 1994 there was an explosion of new routes opened by D. Titopoulos, P. Bailey, Chr. Kouniakis, G. Aligiannis and others.

From October to December 2017, SPAY together with the Municipality of Ilioupoli and E.O.S. Ilioupolis, under the auspices of EOOA, refurbished and maintained 93 routes across 6 sectors using 830 stainless-steel 316L UIAA-approved bolts/hangers and 210 belay rings.

The Sectors

Karea

9 routes

Makis' Wall (Toichos tou Maki)

IV – VII- Shaded morning to 14:00

Compact wall above Karea Monastery, ideal for top-roping. Several historic routes opened by Idosidis–Martzoukos in 1963.

Karea

19 routes

Long Wall (Makrys Toichos)

IV – VI+ Shaded morning to 17:00

The longest training crag of Karea, with routes from the 1950s pioneers Michaelidis & Idosidis up to modern bolted lines.

Ilioupoli

10 routes

Green Crag (Prasini Pista)

V- – VIII- Shaded until 12:00

Sustained vertical wall with technical face climbing. Bolted by Kouniakis & Bailey in 1990–1991.

Ilioupoli

33 routes

Red Crag (Kokkini Pista)

V – VIII Shaded morning + 11:00 onwards

The largest sector on Hymettus with routes ranging from beginner-friendly to a famous overhanging roof first climbed by Idosidis in 1960.

Ilioupoli

15 routes

Perforated Rock (Trypios Vrachos)

IV+ – IX+ Main mass shaded until 16:00

Multi-pitch terrain with the hardest routes on the crag including ASE (IX+) and Moutampa (IX-). 70m rope recommended.

Ilioupoli

16 routes

Gouva (Pit)

IV – VII Variable shade — quarry-like setting

Compact crag opened by Karagiannis–Florian–Sotirakis. Mixed limestone and marble, ideal for after-work sessions.

Download Guides (PDF)

Routes grading

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Σύντομη ιστορική αναδρομή των αναρριχητικών πεδίων μας

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Source: Ilioupoli Mountaineering Club 2018 · Refurbishment: D. Titopoulos (Oct–Dec 2017).

Access

Ilioupoli: From Sofoklis Venizelou Avenue, past the metal gate, walk up 150m and follow the marked path. ~10 min to Kokkini Pista.

Wikiloc track

Karea: From the Hymettus ring road, turn towards Karea and the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Karea. The marked trail starts next to the entrance. 5 min to Makis' Wall.

Wikiloc track

Important Notes

• Always wear a helmet — the area has been affected by the 1999 & 2015 wildfires and loose rock is common.
• Routes marked yellow are top-rope only (no permanent anchor).
• On Trypios Vrachos a 70m rope is required.
• Please do not remove old pitons — kept for historical reasons.
Shade hours vary per sector — see cards above.