Taygetos from Sparta

Taygetos from Sparta

Climbing the summit of Taygetos

The magnificent Taygetos mountain

Taygetos, is one of the the largest Greek mountains 2410m high and 110km long. It is located between the provinces of Messinia and Laconia and stretches from the Megalopolis plateau to the Tainaro cape. The mountain got its name after nymph Taygeta, one of the 7 daughters of Atlas.
The mountain has five peaks and its other name if "Pendadaktylos" (five-fingers).
One of these peaks is well known for its pyramidal shape and can be seen from the side of Sparta as well as from Kardamili. The high peaks of Taygetos, such as Profitis Elias, Xerovouna, Neraidovouna, Zitali and others are usually covered with snow and the alpine zone is located on this height. But at the same time some sparse dolomite rocks are also found here. Taygetos has rich flora and fauna. The Taygetos flora numbers about 160 Greek endemic plants out of which 28 exist only on Taygetos.
The Taygetos fauna is rich in birds and mammals as well as in reptiles. Today its fauna include 85 species of birds, 19 species of mammals and 33 types of reptiles. On Taygetos there are many gorges and ravines, such as the Rindomo ravine and the Viros gorge. The only route through the range is the well engineered road, largely following the old bridle path through the Langada gorge, which links Sparta with Kalamata.