Giona: Flora of Pyramida peak

The floristic route in Pyramida combines the enjoyment of a great hiking with the discovery of the flora of one of the most intriguing sites of montane Greece.
The floristic interest starts right after Kedros and as the path passes below the first rocks, where we can see plants preferring shady and moist places (abundant Orchis pallens and Primula vulgaris), as well as typical rock-dwellers. After Stavros and up to the first meadows we will meet the somewhat peculiar Pedicularis graeca, as well as some tall plants of the very common stonecress Aethionema saxatile (‘oreophilum’ subspecies occurs here).

On the meadows of Vathia Laka we will observe some orchids, such as Dactylorhiza sambucina and scattered Viola aetolica, among thousands of Viola graeca.

Very few plant species manage to survive on the screes of the third zone: here we will mainly found spring crocuses and squills, the bellflower Edraianthus graminifolius and the elegant Corydallis blanda.

The slopes from Diasela up to the summit is the richest floristic field of Giona. Fritillaries, bellflowers and dozens more of interesting species compete in attracting our sight. Finally, while approaching the summit and around the trig point we can find some of the jewels of the alpine zone, such as the Greek endemic Veronica erinoides, the “exotic” Saxifraga sempervivum, the narrow endemic of Giona Potentilla kionaea and several more.

A detailed description of a floristic hike to the Pyramida peak is included in the application Giona topoguide. The application warns the hikes for the most important plants around him and it is available for both Android devices and iOS devices.

The application provides active navigation along the route, as well as a rich guide in the geography, nature and culture of Mt Giona area.