Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mount Parnassós and around
For a taste of the Greek mountains, Parnassós , rising imperiously above Delphi, is
probably the most convenient peak, though its heights no longer rank as unspoilt
wilderness, having been disfigured by the ski-station above Aráhova and its
accompanying trappings. The best route for walkers is the one up from Dhelfí to the
Corycian cave (practicable April-Nov, but not in midsummer without a dawn start; see
box p.208). For further explorations, Road Editions' 1:50,000 map no. 42, or Anavasi
Editions' 1:55,000 map no. 1, both entitled Parnassos , are wise investments, though
neither is infallible.
Aráhova
Arriving at ARÁHOVA , just 11km east of Delphi, you are well into Parnassós country.
The peaks rise in tiers, sullied somewhat by the wide asphalt road built to reach the ski
resort - the winter-weekend haunt of well-heeled Athenians. The town centre tends to
trendy, chic and pricey, rather like a Greek Aspen, with its comprehensive après-ski
boutique commercialization. A small number of houses in Aráhova retain their
vernacular architecture or have been restored in varying taste, flanking narrow, often
stepped, lanes twisting north up the slope or poised to the south on the edge of the
olive-tree-choked Plistós Gorge. The area is renowned for its strong purplish wines,
tsípouro , honey, candied fruits and nuts, cheese (especially cylindrical formaélla ), the
egg-rich noodles called hilopíttes , and woollen weavings, now mostly imported from
elsewhere and/or machine-loomed.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
3
ARÁHOVA
By bus Buses pull in at a stop on the platía at the west end
of town.
Destinations Athens (4 daily; about 3hr 30min); Dhelfí (4
daily; 20min).
Tourist o ce The municipal tourist office (Greek-signed
as DETPA; 9am-9pm; T 22670 31630, W arachova.tripod
.com) is close to the bus station.
Services The post office is a few paces from the bus stop.
There are several bank ATMs, and wi-fi is available
throughout the village.
ACCOMMODATION
In the summer, most people just stop for a meal and to souvenir shop, so finding accommodation is easy, even though
several establishments close down. In winter, particularly at weekends, rooms are at a premium in all senses, with prices
more or less doubling.
Ì Lykoreia T 22670 31180, W likoria.gr. Huge standard
balconied doubles, plus a few suites, with designer baths and
wi-fi. Other amenities include a terrace garden, pool, gym/
sauna and buffet breakfast served in the cos y sal on; easy
parking (it's 250m west from the main square). €75
Apollon Inn T 22670 31057, W apollon-inn-arachova
.gr. At the Delphi end of town, the last street to the right,
stands this handsome though simple option whose pine
and whit e-til ed en-suite rooms are rather spartan but
spacious. €35
SKIING ON PARNASSÓS
There are two main skiing areas developed on the northwest flank of Mount Paranassós:
Kelária (23km from Aráhova) and Fterólakka (29km). The top point for each is about 2200m,
descending to 1600-1700m when conditions permit; the twenty or so runs are predominantly
red-rated, making this a good intermediate resort, and served by fourteen lifts, of which about
half are bubble-chair type. Most facilities (and the biggest car park) are at Kelária, but
Fterólakka has longer, more challenging runs.
Equipment is rented on a daily basis at the resort, or for longer term in Aráhova (which teems
with seasonal sports equipment shops). The main problem is high winds, which often close
the lifts, so check the forecast before setting off. The skiing season is generally from mid-
December to April, rarely into May.
 
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