Description
Poikilo Oros (465m) is a small -rather insignificant- hill in the west side of Athens. The mountain is known for its severely degraded ecosystem, the result of chaotic building plots, forest fires, mining and the establishment of a major landfill and heavy industries on its foothills.
However, and despite these ominous facts, Poikilo is host to Iera Odos (aka Latsoudorema), a truly special crag hidden and isolated from the surrounding misery in one of the last wild pockets of the otherwise ravaged mountain. The place never fails to amaze first-time visitors, resembling something of a “lost world” of red / grey limestone faces, mountain flora and occasionally passing birdlife.
In terms of quantity, quality, height and bolting, Iera Odos is one of the best choices for sport climbing on easy and moderate grades in Athens. At the same time, it is probably the warmest crag in the city. On a sunny winter day it is not uncommon to climb in a summer outfit.
Access Issues
The path from Petroupoli, is **exposed** towards its end. Fixed ropes and rungs have been placed to assist descending. Be careful not to throw any rocks, as the path traverses right above the climbing routes!
If accessing from Aigaleo ring road, note that car brake-ins have been reported.
Approach
By Private Vehicle:
Coming from Attiki Odos highway, take exit #5 towards Egaleo ring road (ΠΕΡΙΦ. ΑΙΓΑΛΕΩ). Follow the road for 6,5km and after passing a small roadside parking, take a sharp descending right turn on small downhill road following a small
commercial sign “EVAL”.
Turn left and park your vehicle after 300m in front of the small grocery store (to avoid possible car break-ins). Continue on foot passing under the bridge and after 200m turn right (see map). Follow the ascending dirt road until the point where the big concrete train bridge meets with the dirt road and the tunnel. Cross the train tracks (beware of the trains!!) and you will spot the footpath (faint red marks) which starts on the other side. A further 8-10 minutes walk will lead you to the crag.
Total walking distance 800m, walking time: 16min, total positive altitude: 130m.
History
Considering its environs and its isolation, it’s hardly surprising that only a few bothered to look at the direction of Poikilo Oros for climbing crags. The place remained quiet till the early nineties. The first recorded climb here is “Kopsein” climbed by Nikos Latsoudis in 1990 with natural protection (now fully bolted). The same, along with members of a small climbing circle aptly named by the climbing scene of the era as “Latsoudoparea” (P. Terlegkas, N. Sakelariou, A. Patzetegos, K. Skoinas et. al.) remained active in the area, during the 90s and climbed many more lines all in trad style.
In 2004 the secret was finally out. H. Orfanoudakis, followed by D. Titopoulos, visited the place and bolted the first sport lines. The new ethics and meticulous cleaning allowed the establishment of the first lines on the red wall which now constitutes the main attraction of the crag. In the following years, the place earned publicity, gradually
becoming one of the most popular climbing spots in Athens. Interestingly enough, Iera Odos is probably the most variably named crag in Athens as well. A dispute of names has become part of its short history.
After interchangeably using at least a dozen names over the years, the climbing community seems to have nowadays settled for “Iera Odos” (chosen by the route establishers to commemorate the ancient “Sacred Way”, a road of ancient religious significance that used to pass nearby). However, more than a few climbers still prefer to use the more mischievous “Latsoudorema” (Greek for “Latsoudis gully”- named after N. Latsoudis who discovered the place -climbingwise- in the 90s). As reported by D. Titopoulos the crag was named Iera Odos with the concent of N. Latsoudis and N. Sakelariou.
