Aroania (mountain)

Aroania, also known as Mount Chelmos, is a mountain massif in the northern Peloponnese region of western Greece. It is one of the higher mountain groups in the area and contains karstic terrain and high plateaus.

The massif offers mountain trails, alpine and subalpine landscapes, and karst features such as caves and sinkholes. A well-known site on its slopes is the Cave of the Lakes, visited for its multi-level pools and stalactite formations.

The area supports seasonal hiking and, in winter, local snow-related activities at higher elevations; views from the ridges take in neighboring valleys and the Gulf of Corinth on clear days. Trails connect traditional villages and pastoral land on the mountain’s lower flanks.

Human use of the mountain area has long included pastoralism and small-scale agriculture; modern conservation and outdoor recreation have increased since the 20th century. Infrastructure for visitors remains dispersed and village-based.

The massif lies in Achaea and parts of neighboring regional units in Western Greece, rising above the surrounding valleys of the northern Peloponnese and visible from parts of the Gulf of Corinth.

• Elevation range: The massif is often referred to by its modern name Chelmos as well as Aroania; summits exceed 2,300 metres, making it one of the higher ranges in the northern Peloponnese.

What to See #

• Cave of the Lakes: The Cave of the Lakes lies on the western slopes of the massif and is a notable karst feature visited for its cascading subterranean pools and geomorphology.