Ntrisinikos (1866m) is the highest peak of the Vourinos massif, with its impressive 4Km long ridgeline situated right at the center of this wild mountain. The eroded ophiolitic rocks of the summit offer steep slopes which exceed 600m in height, and on which there are recorded adventure routes of alpine character.
On Ntrisinikos there are two established traditional climbing routes and one mixed winter climb with difficulties from II 60° up to V and a height of 80m to 400m, on the east and west faces. Due to the elevation conditions for winter climbing are nowadays infrequent, while to repeat any of the rock routes the ideal period is spring and autumn. The overall rock quality is average.
Access
Ntrisinikos rises above the central group of Vourinos which is enclosed by the Mesiano Nero valley to the east and drops rapidly into the drainages of Exarchos to the west. Access to the east face is possible via the refuge to the north, or the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle at Chromio to the south, and in both cases approaching the face from the elevated plateau between Ntrisinikos and Asprovouni.
For the base of the routes of the west face, we follow the road from Exarchos to the chapel of Agios Athanasios at an altitude of 895m.
Climbing history
The first modern climb established on Vourinos massif was the 1998 mixed route “The bear's tracks” (II 2+, 400m) by T. Karantonas - V. Katsemakidis - A. Maroulas - G. Peolidis on the steep central couloir of the east face cirque.
Although imposing, the summit of Ntrisinikos did not attract additional winter climbing interest, probably due to its altitude. As such it took 15 years until the first rock climbing routes were added, this time on the much wilder west face. With movement on spectacular aretes on the unique for Greece serpentine Harzburgite, the routes “Great ridge of Bourinos” (IV-, 350m) and “Ridge of Bourinos” (V, 80m) are classic options for moderate alpine adventures.