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Olympus trekking self-guided 2024
Travel code: OPWT314I
Tour type: Hiking-strenuous
Travel type: Self-guided trekking
Area: Olympus mountain
Number of days: 7 (may be extended with rest days)
Day 1

To Litochoro (OP-01)

You travel to Litochoro, a picturesque small town at the foot of Mt. Olympos from where most hikers start their challenge to the Summits. On the square you’ll find several cosy tavernas and a beautiful church. From the square a street with lots of shops descends along a park. Here you may make your last preparations for the hike starting tomorrow.

Day 2

From Litochoro to the Agios Dionysios monastery (OP-02/GR00190)

Today your trekking over Mount Olympos starts. The start through the Enipeas gorge along the European long-distance trail E4 is almost continually uphill, with some steep descents. The Enipeas river provides the village with drinking water and is crystal clear. Wooden bridges allow you to cross the river easily. Sometimes you walk close to the water, sometimes high above. You’ll see the first glimpse of the summits.
The walk is not long, but involves a 900 meter ascent. Because of the short distance there is ample time to make the walk and enjoy the scenery. The walk ends at the Agios Dionysios monastery; its ruins are being restored. After the walk you will be transfered back by taxi from the Monastery to Litochoro.

walking time/distance: 4h / 9.6km
ascent/descent: 900m / 350m
start/finish: Litochoro / Agios Dionysios monastery

Day 3

From the Agios Dionysios monastery to the Agapitos Spilios mountain refuge (OP-03/GR00191)

You will be transfered to Agios Dionysios Monastery and hike from here to the mountain hut ‘A’ or ‘Agapitos Spilios’. You’ll pass the beautiful cave chapel where the monk Dionysios lived as an ascetic. Continuing the European E4 route along the river you pass again by several river pools and cross the river via wooden bridges or stepping stones.
Then you’ll reach Prionia refuge where you may stop for food or drink and fill up your water bottles. The road ends here: from this point you can only proceed by foot or mule. From here the scenery changes. The forest is thinning and the river is just a small stream. The various views make this walk very rewarding.

walking time/distance: 4h / 8.8km
ascent/descent: 1300m / 90m
start/finish: Agios Dionysios monastery / A-refuge (Agapithos Spilios refuge)

Day 4

From the A-refuge via the summits to the Mousson plain (OP-04/GR00077)

This is where it is all about! A hefty ascent through an alpine mountaineous area up to the Skala summit (2866m); on your way you’re likely to spot chamois. From this point you have a breathtaking view of the Mytikas summit (2918m) and its climbers. Then over a ridge to our highest point: the Skolio summit (2911m) where you can write your name in the register while enjoying the breathtaking view over sea and the Olympic summits.
A small descent and then up again to the Adonis summit with an old weather station. From here you look into the Tembi plain. You descend further and then traverse the Zonaria on the foot of the ‘Throne of Zeus’ until you reach the Plateau of the Muses. Here you’ll find the mountain refuge Kakkalos which is nestled among smaller summits with splendid view of the Stefani or ‘Throne of Zeus’.

walking time/distance: 6h / 11.0km
ascent/descent: 1230m / 650m
start/finish: A-refuge / C-refuge (Mousson plain)

Day 5

From the Mousson plain via Petrostrounga meadow to the Koromilia refuge (OP-05/GR00078)

Sunrise with view on the Stefani is breathtaking and we advise you to set out before breakfast to one of the smaller summits on the plateau. Return to the refuge for breakfast and then walk the plain to the narrow ridge Lemos (‘throat’). Along yet another summit with view on the A-refuge you come to the forested area again.
In the forest you’ll encounter the mysterious Petrostrounga meadow the in earlier years the shepherds had their summer dwellings. Nowadays there’s a well equipped mountain refuge where you may take a well-earned break. You descend still further on shaded paths interspersed with various views, and finally you reach the Koromilia refuge.  

walking time/distance: 4h45’ / 10.5km
ascent/descent: 55m / 1675m
start/finish: C-refuge (Mousson plain) / Koromilia refuge

Day 6

From the Koromilia refuge to Agios Konstantinos and Litochoro (OP-06/GR00079)

From Koromilia you descend further to the east via forest trails, sometimes steeply. In between the trees you have beautiful views over the plains to the sea. The waterfalls near Orlias stream form an invitation for a small detour and a break. From the church of Agios Konstantinos you will be picked up by a taxi and returned to Litochoro.

walking time/distance: 1h45’ / 4.0km
ascent/descent: 0m / 735m
start/finish: Koromilia refuge / Agios Konstantinos chapel

Day 7

Departure from Litochoro (OP-07)

After breakfast your arrangement ends with a last view on the summits. You travel by public transport back to Thessaloniki airport.