Giona

Giona is the fifth highest mountain in Greece and the highest in Sterea. With the highest peak the Pyramid at 2,510 meters and in ancient times Giona was considered a part of Parnassus and was called Mount Aselenon, a name that comes from Greek mythology. Giona, has alpine characteristics and is part of the southern end of the Pindos mountain range, is located in the center of the prefecture of Fokida, northwest of the Amfissa valley, it joins Parnassos to the east, the Vardousia mountains to the west and Oiti to the north.

It has the largest vertical slope in the Balkans, Plaka tis Sykia, with an altitude difference of approximately 1,100 meters. The flora of the mountain consists of firs and cedars, maples can be seen in the ravines, while in the clearings there are wild flowers and wild roses. Wolves, wild boars, roe deer and wild goats live in its forests, while birds of prey such as vultures and golden eagles fly over its steep slopes. It also has many pastures that support sheep and goats. To the west and to the north of the mountain, the vertical slopes create a unique aesthetic landscape and are a refuge for wildlife, to the southeast there are bauxite mining mines.

Giona is divided in two by the deep gorge of Rekas which penetrates the main body of the mountain from the east, while the ravine of Lazo runs through the mountain from north to south, parallel to Morno, in the west. The highest peaks of the mountain are Perdika 2,484 m, Tragonoros 2,456 m, Platyvouna 2,317 m, and Prophet Ilias 2,298 m,

According to the related legend, a shepherd, Endymion, lived on the mountain, and when the demigoddess Selene went to meet him, at the edges of the mountain, she left the world without a moon.

The mountain has contributed significantly to the freedom struggles of the Greek nation, initially during the years of Turkish rule, Giona was a stronghold of thieves and the theater of historical conflicts during the Greek Revolution of 1821. And during the period of the second world war with the German occupation in Greece, from there the organization and implementation started with the resistance groups of Napoleon Zervas and Aris Velouchiotis for the blowing up of the Gorgopotamos bridge.

Giona has a number of hiking and walking trails as well as a mountain refuge. Giona is a mountain that provides a multitude of activities such as mountain biking, mountaineering, climbing, hiking, horse riding and much more.