We are super excited to be attending the 1st Climbing Festival at Nestani, Peloponnese, in a couple of weeks. Nestani is a great little mountain village near the city of Tripoli, less than two hours away from Athens, with limestone cliffs of high quality and a variety of well-bolted sport routes for climbers of all levels.
Read the complete festival press release below. For detailed info, photo-topos, and grades, see here (Greek) or here (English).
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PRESS RELEASE
EOS Tripolis Proudly Announces the 1st Climbing Festival at Nestani Climbing Park
In collaboration with the Municipality of Tripolis and the Progressive Cultural Association of Nestani, EOS Tripolis is excited to co-organize the inaugural Nestani Climbing Festival, a three-day celebration of climbing, culture, and community.
A Brief History of the Nestani Climbing Park:
Nestani Climbing Park was established in 2000 when EOS Tripolis funded the creation of the first 12 climbing routes. Despite the initial lack of local support, progress resumed in 2019 when the Progressive Cultural Association of Nestani sponsored the development of 8 more routes under the supervision of certified mountain guide Kostas Tsoukleidis. By 2022, the association also established Voulomeni Park, situated below the climbing area.
The expansion of the park accelerated in the summer of 2023, when the Municipality of Tripolis financed the development of 60 additional routes. These new routes were executed by Climb Greece, under the supervision of renowned mountain guide Aris Theodoropoulos, with support from EOS Tripolis.
Today, Nestani Climbing Park boasts 80 sport climbing routes of varying grade levels and 95 bouldering problems, making it a prime destination for climbers from across Greece and beyond.
About the Festival:
The 1st Nestani Climbing Festival is a significant opportunity to promote this vital project, both locally and internationally. The festival invites climbers of all levels and ages to experience rock climbing for free, guided by certified instructors. Beyond climbing, participants will enjoy activities that showcase the rich cultural, natural, and historical heritage of the region.
Festival Program:
Day 1:
- Climber registration and introduction to the Nestani climbing area
- Slackline
- Fingerboard competition
- Evening of traditional music by Fytili Band from Patras
- Local food offerings provided by the Progressive Cultural Association of Nestani, with participation from nearby village restaurants
Day 2:
- Yoga session led by Dimitris Liourdis
- Beginner climbing lessons with Kostas Tsoukleidis
- First aid seminar by the Hellenic Rescue Team of Arcadia
- Soap-making workshop by Soap n’ Goods
- Photography seminar and exhibition by 5ente Cooperative
- Electronic music party featuring DJ Insom, one of Greece’s top DJs
Day 3:
- Morning yoga session with Dimitris Liourdis
- Beginner climbing lessons with Kostas Tsoukleidis
- Hiking to Goulas Rock with mountain escort Aris Giannoukos
- Canyoning at Inachos Gorge led by NomadsPath
- Archery with 5ente Cooperative
- Pottery workshop by Techni’s Roi
Accommodation: Free camping is available at Voulomeni Park, equipped with basic amenities (water, toilets, and electricity). Please note, temperatures can drop significantly at night as Nestani is located at 680 meters above sea level, so warm clothing is essential. Affordable accommodations are also available at Mainalo Mountain Refuge.
Food: Food and drinks will be available at the park, with options to order from local restaurants.
Participation: Registration can be done online or on-site at the registration desk. Early registrants will receive commemorative gifts. Registration is open until September 29, and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
We look forward to welcoming you to this exciting event!