Vasilitsa (2,248m) [P-724]
Summited On: August 26, 2025
Region: Simixi, Grevena, Western Macedonia, Greece.
Overview
Vasilitsa (2,248m) [P-724] is a well known 2,000er in Grevena prefecture of Western Macedonia, known as the neighbor of Smolikas (2,637m) [P-1736], and hosts one of Greece’s snowiest ski-centers. The mountain is located at the NE boundary of Pindos National Park and is often overlooked as a hiking objective compared to the neighboring giants of Smolikas (2,637m) [P-1736] and Timfi (2,497m) [P-1257]. However, it still features many of the things that make a good outing such as beautiful terrain, exceptional views, and significant prominence. The lack of technical difficulty and the mild elevation gain for the summit made it an excellent peakbagging objective for one of our trips’ longest days.
Timfi (2,497m) N aspect, “The Greek Dolomites” as seen from Vasilitsa (2,248m).
Since we had all but driven by just once, Vasilitsa (2,248m) [P-724] was already on my 2,000er short-list, and with its easy access it made an obvious contender for one of our longest driving days. We would ascend Vasilitsa (2,248m) [P-724] on Day 5 of our Prespes 2025 - Triethnes+ Trip, during which we drove from Samarina to Prespes and hiked two (2) peaks.
Route
Leaving the hotel at dawn, around 06:30, the cold was palpable for the first time, up here summer was already on its way out. We quietly drove the short 20 minutes from Samarina to Vasilitsa Pass (1,775m), indulging on the soft colors of the sunrise to the East. The weather was stable, the clouds seemingly few, but the cold bit even harder once we arrived at the Pass. Gearing up quickly we looked forward to warming ourselves up through our ascent. Ominusly the few clouds collected above us on the high summits of Vasilitsa (2,248m).
We stepped off the asphalt and begun following the tracks of the T-bar lift uphill, markings few and far between far to our right pointed the way. The runnels on the ophiolitic slope allowed for various way of movement and both Terry and myself chose somewhat different paths, but generally to the right of the lift itself. From here the views were somewhat limited due to the cloud-cap but the clear view of Timfi (2,497m) [P-1257] which we got was good enough for me. As the incline increases towards the end we traversed all the way to the left, reaching the top-station at 2,002m under a light fog.
Terry starting the ascent on Vasilitsa (2,248m).
A vibrant sunrise on Vasilitsa (2,248m)
After a well earned break we headed back towards the summit following the access road / ski slope which runs up to the top lifts, at every step we got ourselves deeper and deeper into the fog. Luckily the route at this section is very easy with a wide dirt-road track and snow-stakes with reflective tape - a real T1 tail in Greece! The going was pleasant and kept us occupied from the cold, but the lack of views was nonetheless disappointing. Soon the snow-barriers and signs signalled that we had reached the top-station of the chair-lift, infrastructure was over from here on up. That being said, lift installations in the summer always have something alien and desolate about them, more so under the thick cover of Pindos fog.
The snow-stakes mark the way - as seen on the descent.
The ghostly chair-lift top-station in the fog.
Continuing on the obvious ridge past the top-station, we now find ourselves on the summit-ridge proper, and finally Ophiolite blocks crest our route to the left. Below them the exposure varies from 10m to 30m and thousands of meters below us lay the lush foothills of Grevena. To our right would be an arguably even more splendid sight as the limestone teeth of Timfi (2,497m) stand across the solemn dark soils of Smolikas (2,637m). We would see none of this, as the fog continued to thicken, forcing me to wear a headlamp in order to safely lead more than 100m ahead of Terry. Alas it was maybe the incredible humidity which had the effects of rain that was most memorable about that ridge. Unluckily for us the Northern winds would begin picking up adding another factor to our troubles. In either case it was no match to modern equipment and thoughtful packing, so up we went.
Low visibility on the summit ridge.
Continuing uphill on the ridge.
The ridge seemed to go on forever, as these things tend to do in such conditions; as every crest looked like the summit. The emotional rollercoaster of expecting the summit at every new sight took its toll but before too long the ridge gave way to flatter, wider wider terrain and we knew we must be close. Through the fog the plateau of the summit opened up in front of us, the trig. point standing lonely at its center, a pile of rocks a few meters away marked the true summit. After a couple of the usual summit photos we quickly turned back down, seeking one of the small stone-build wind-barriers in order to have our light snacks before starting the descent.
The summit of Vasilitsa (2,248m), true summit is a few meters ahead.
A chocolate was all I could muster to eat before the cold, wind, and rain signaled it was time for us to leave, after all, a large breakfast would be waiting for us at the hotel if we got back in time! Descending the ridge we passed the familiar sights, still with a limited view in the dense fog. The solemn chair-lift top station looked spookier than before as the fog thickened and a slight drizzle begun. Turning down the access road, the snow-stakes led our way as wind-speeds continued to increase, as we descended they fleetingly parted the clouds, giving us a look far below us. As we crested the turn before the T-bar top-station we finally exited below the clouds, reveling in our newfound dryness. The light of the day was still rather dim as we begun the steep descent down the ski slope. In a similar manner to the ascent we chose different routes, but this time all the way to the right, where trees and runnels created a smoother incline.
The alpine lake on Vasilitsa (2,248m) as seen from above.
Terry descending the first few meters after the T-bar.
Our return was quick, although hazy on account of both the visibility and our own urgency to make our breakfast deadline. In the end we made it back with time to spare, enough that I indulged on a cigarette before leaving. As I went on to light it, still damp and cold, a shepherd and his hundreds of goats slowly made their way uphill. I waved good morning, he waved back, the unmistakable sound of the bells rang around us; I am just transient in his beautiful world.
Interactive Map
Logistics
This was the third summit of our 2025 Prespes - Triethnes+ Trip in which we travelled across most of Central Greece. To find out more about our logistical planning for this ascent read the following Trip Report.