Mt. Hymettus: Ilioupoli-Sfittos
Mt. Hymettus: Ilioupoli
Ilioupoli-Sfittos
From the bus terminus of Ano Ilioupoli ascend a bit and reach the end of the asphalt (or you can park your car near the guards of Volunteer Fire guards of Ilioupoli), pass the entrance gate (closed to vehicles) and enter the dirt road. Int the junction near a large plastic tank catch clear path (at the beginning without signs) which passes next to the ancient quarry (and more recently small climbing area) of Gouva. Intersect a dirt road and enter the marked path that leads to the Mihailidis memorial. The whole ascent is on rocky ground, with dense but faded yellow signs, some stones on the edges of the path and some cairns. From the memorial, catch a good and marked trail up to the ridge. We cross the rocky plateau Isoma with a faint trail (marks with different colours) and we begin the long descent to the Sesi plateau by a dirt road.
After crossing the Sesi plateau with a combination of roads and trails, catch the bare slopes of Prophitis Ilias. On the summit, our effort will be rewarded: besides the view Mesogeia, we have the opportunity to visit the ancient quarry (800 m in a faint but very well marked trail, a roman quarry with two columns of gray limestone, in situ).
We descend on a good path to the location where nests the Prophet Elias chapel, a single-aisle church, built next to the 8th c. altar in honour of Zeus Omvrios (= bringer of rain) and Proopsios Apollo (=bringing the light of day).
A steep pathway will bring us to the Doukas ravine. We can walk down to Koropi, passing by the hill of the acropolis of Sfittos.
topoguide Greece
A guide to Mt Hymettus
Mt Hymettus topoguide is available for Android devices as one of the dozens of available region of Greece via the topoguide Greece application. Mt Hymettus topoguide is a member of the Attica group. Get the Mt Hymettus guide as an in-app purchase through the app.
Mt Hymettus topoguide is also available for iOS (iPhone & iPad) devices via the application Topoguide Greece. Get the Mt Hymettus guide as an in-app purchase through the app, found in the Attica group.
topoguide Greece offers active navigation along the trails, as well as a comprehensive guide to the geography, the nature and the culture of the area.