Smolikas

Smolikas ( in the background). View from the north west ( road Pyrsogianni - Vourbiani ).

The Smolikas (Greek Σμόλικας, also Lyngos Modern Greek Λύγκος, ancient Greek Λύγγος, transkr also Lingos or Ligos; . Aromuni Smolcu ) is at an altitude of 2,637 m, the second highest mountain in Greece after Olympus and also the highest mountain of Pindos Mountains. It is located in the Regional District of Ioannina Epirus in northwestern Greece, near the Albanian border. In the southwest lie the cities and Konitsa Ioannina, Kastoria, in northern, north-west away Neapolis and Kozani, in the southeast of Metsovo and Grevena in the east.

To the north and west of the Smolikas is bordered by the river Sarandaporos. The Sarandaporos separates with its valley and the Smolikas the neighboring Grammos massif in the north-west directly to the Albanian border. To the north, the Sarandaporos Valley separates the Smolikas from the massif of Kato Arena and Epano Arena. To the south, the Smolikas massif is bordered by the river Aoös. The Smolikas massif is a part of the Zagoria - area. Southwest of Smolikas and the Aoös valley, Tymfi or Gamila massif rises. The mountain Trapezitsa ( 2,022 m) southwest of the Smolikas and immediately northeast of the city Konitsa is separated by the valley of the river Topolitsa from Smolikas. In the north slope of the valley of the Smolikas Vourkopotamos from west to east cuts a Gradient. In this valley there is also the village of Agia Paraskevi, which is located north of the main summit. From Agia Paraskevi, a hiking trail winds to the main summit and on to Pades in the south.

To the south of the main summit, there are other summits: Mougouria ( 2,080 m), Athena ( 2,106 m), Alogotopos ( 2,230 m ), Petra Gagaranza ( 2,045 m) and Smiliana ( 2,145 m). East of the summit are the highest side peak with the Lemos ( 2,540 m ) and the Mossia ( 2,610 m). In addition to the summit north of the main summit of Koutsouro ( 2,318 m), Arkoudalona ( 1,798 m) and northeast of the twin peaks are Bogdani ( 2,239 m) and Kapetan Tsekouras ( 2,253 m).

The Smolikas consists mainly of ophiolite. During the Pleistocene the northern and eastern flanks, including the limiting valleys were glaciated. 11,500 years ago, these glaciers disappeared permanently.