Koumpi (1877m) is one of the most famous secondary peaks of Velouchi and is an extremely popular destination for hiking, mountaineering and ski mountaineering, offering impressive views towards the highest peak of the mountain and the surrounding area of Karpenissi. At the southern foot of the peak, there is the limestone formation of Petra, which is of climbing interest.
Petra (1413m) is the only crag suitable for summer rock climbing in the broader area of Velouchi. Behind the crag of Petra, at an elevation of 1350m, is a limestone mining facility.
There is only one known route on Petra, traditionally protected, graded at VI+ and a height of 38m. With a maximum height less than 100m, along with a southern orientation, Petra is ideal for year-round climbing while the quality of the rock is unknown.
Access
The formation of Petra is north of the settlement of Lefka, and south of the peak of Koumpi (1877m), about 6Km east of the center of Karpenisi.
The fastest access to Petra is made possible via the provincial road of Rachi Tymfristou, with a northern heading up, until the chapel of Agioi Apostoloi at the col before Koumpi. From there, we continue onto the dirt-road to the left and follow a southwest heading until the base of Petra.
Climbing history
There is only one known route at Petra, named “Fall” (VI+, 38m), established by K. Chouliaras - V. Mitsiou in 1988 and since then there have been no new (or old) published routes on this formation.