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Ziria, Korinthos

Mount Kyllini, commonly referred to as Ziria, is the second highest summit of the Peloponnisos. Is is the closest alpine peak to Athens, only one and a half hours by car. The ancient Greeks believed that the Olympian god Hermes was born in a cave near the base of the mountain. In fact, in ancient times, a temple dedicated to the god was built on the summit. Ziria was also the birthplace of the seven Pleiades, daughters of the Titan god Atlas. After their birth, the sisters moved up into the heavens, where they formed the constellation of stars that bears their name. The mountain today has a small ski center on the lower slopes, next to the cave of Hermes. The basic infrastructure in place for the ski center makes Ziria an ideal destination for quick day trips from Athens, for mountain enthusiasts of all ability levels.

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Chelmos, Kalavryta

Chelmos, elevation 2,355m, above the village of Kalavryta, has more human development than the other mountains in the Peloponnisos, but still is primarily a wild sanctuary. The ancient Greeks believed that here was the source of the river Styx, the infamous river which flowed beneath the earth to the underworld of Hades. The mother of the bronze age warrior Achilles was believed Continue reading Chelmos, Kalavryta