Lagada

Peloponnese, GR

The crag of Lagada is hidden high amongst the alpine meadows and pine forests of majestic Mt Taygetus (pronounced ta-EE-yeh-toss), the highest mountain in the Peloponnese (2407m). The main crag is just above the meandering road in a mountain setting so crisp it’s easy to forget how far south in Greece you actually are. The cone-shaped summit of Taygetus itself, with rock faces as high as 250m, is a constant temptation in the background, along with many other spectacular caves and potential crags waiting to be bolted. The crag at Lagada is near the legendary Sparta, now a small, modern city with little remaining of its glorious past. But move towards the mountains, take in the rugged scenery, drink cold water and fill your lungs with fragrant air, and you will see why the ancient warriors chose this place to call home. Routes, approach paths, a wooden cabin and a toilet were created in 1999 through EU funding. The Sparta Alpine Club was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. Routes were mostly set by Yiannis Torelli and Nikos Hadjigeorgiou, with additional routes by Aris Theodoropoulos, Spiros Kouthouris, Stavros Psirropoulos, Dimitris Poulopoulos, Vanias Mavropoulos, George Kopalides and George Malamas. Climbing: Very solid, featured limestone with holes, tufas and small edges in a stunning alpine-meadow setting. Climbing is primarily on ‘old-school’ smooth slabs full of pockets, but also on insanely overhanging caves with stalactites and tufa snakes. Routes are reasonably well-equipped with stainless steel bolts.
CRAG STATISTICS
86
Routes
12609
meters climbed
483
Zlags
7a
average grade

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Family friendly
Very safe
Slabs
Vertical
Overhanging
Roof
Exposition
3 min.

GALLERY