Mount Helmos, which means “Snowy Mountain”, is a mountain range in North Peloponnesus. It is mostly located in the prefecture of Achaia and the rest covers the prefecture of Corinth, north of the town of Kalavrita, its altitude is 2.355m. (its highest peak). The ancient name of the mountain was Aroania Mountain, named after the Aroanian River which springs from Planitero, a beautiful area at the slope of the Mountain.

Traveling Through Myth and Time

The myths, the legends and the history of this place impress visitors and attract historical researchers. Neraidorachi, Styx Waterfalls, Planitero, Kalavrita Ski Center, Elatophyto and Souvardo are few of the aw-inspiring view points in the area. Most of us are familiar with the mythical Styx Waterfalls, the waters of the legendary river flowing through the Underworld. According to myth, Styx was the daughter of Oceanus and of Tethys and participated in Titanomachy supporting Zeus. In the waters of Styx, the Naiad Thetis bathed her son Achilles to make him immortal, leaving him with only one vulnerable part, the heel from where she was holding him.

The oath of the Gods

The Olympian Gods swore an oath on the Waters of Styx and this oath was sacred and inviolable. The God that broke this oath ceased to participate in the council of the Gods and to enjoy the Nectar and Ambrosia. In these Waters, Helios (the Sun) swore to satisfy his son’s (Phaethon) every request such as the need for his Chariot, whose carelessness and inexperienced driving led him to his death.

The Fearful River of Hades

The ancient Greeks believed that at the place where the Waters of the Styx fell were the gates for the kingdom of Hades (the gates to the Underworld), because at this location there is an opening leading up to a cave.

Pausanias, the famous Greek traveler and geographer, described the Waters of the Styx fatal for humans and animals. The only deity that could safely reach Styx and convey messages, was Iris, Zeus’s winged messenger. The color of the Waters’ seems to be black, as they lick the rock before falling from above. The legend says that once goddess Demeter was chased by Poseidon and in order to escape him transformed into a mare. But when she mirrored herself in the Waters of the Styx, she saw how ugly she was and cursed the Waters to blacken.