Frygani sits amidst the hospitable plateaus of Mount Kyllini, west of Corinth, on the Peloponnese peninsula. The area has none of what people usually associate with Greece. There is no blue-and-white here; instead there are soft greens, yellows, and browns. There is no Aegean Sea; instead there are lakes, wetlands, and stunning mountain peaks. There is no dramatic limestone dropping into the water; instead there are gentle waves of smooth, ultra-compact conglomerate. There is no dry, infertile soil; instead there are rolling hills, exceptional microclimates, and generously fertile soil, where almost everything grows in abundance.

Frygani is part of a region called Oreini Korinthia (“Mountainous Corinthia”). It is Aris’s home turf. When he was growing up in Xylókastro, a small coastal town west of Corinth, the cliffs of Frygani were the ones nearest. Together with his parents, he explored Mount Kyllini at practically the same time he learned how to walk. They picked herbs and tea and wild greens, and spent entire weekends in the mountain sleeping in a makeshift tent under the stars.

During the first half of this year, Aris went back home a lot—this time to help care for his elderly dad, whose life was coming full circle. With his childhood home as the base, a small group of friends joined Aris over several weeks to clean, bolt, and climb new routes and sectors in and around Frygani. As a result, nearly 60 new routes were added, both at the main cliff and at three new sectors, including some new multi-pitches up to 160m long.

Beautiful, well-bolted climbing surrounded by an active, friendly community and vineyards, orchards, plateaus, and lakes, all less than two hours from Athens? Yes, please.

This is Frygani.