|
Welcome to Hooked on Walking holidays and our walking holidays in Greece. This hiking vacation is Greece is for advanced walkers only as you will be crossing the mountain range Mount Olympos. For this reason the trip is graded as level 3-4. Mount Olympos with summits at 3000 metres high are said to be saturated by the nectar of the ancient Greek gods. It is also known as the seat of Zeus who gathered the clouds and threw flashes and thunder from the holy mountain. This ancient image of the holy mountain and its uncounted natural treasures are today protected by the Mt. Olympos National Park (since 1938) and the flanks of the mountain known as Kato Olympos or Lower Olympos has been declared a biosphere reserve. Trekking the mountains, experiencing the spectacular peaks and ancient civilizations on the high mountain plateaus, spending time to sense their power and beauty is a journey through time and natural wonders. Crossing Mt. Olympos is best done during the summer and autumn months (June – mid October) and suitable for experienced hikers with a sense of adventure only.
 |
Available dates 30th May, 20th June, 12th September , 3rd October
Level 3-4 Guided Tour
Day 1 Arrival - transfer to Litochoro
Arrival to Thessaloniki airport and make your way to Litochoro or request a private transfer. Litochoro is a picturesque village at the foot of Mt. Olympos and the starting point of our trekking tour. There you will check-in at our guest house and have time for a rest from your journey.
Day 2 Litochoro – Mount Golna - Litochoro
The peak of Golna is just before the impressive main peaks of Mount Olympos. We will start our walk at the market square of Litohoro, which is the starting point of most Olympos treks. We go through the nice small roads of the village to a path, which leads us directly to the peak of Golna. Reaching the peak we enjoy the beautiful view into the famous Vithos gorge and towards the Aegean Sea. The specialty of this walk is the combination of the high mountain range with the sea. Our way back to Litohoro leads again through the shady forest.
Trekking time approx. 5 hours Altitude: 300 – 1032 – 300
Day 3 Agios Dionysios – Prionia - Refuge A
Today we will leave Litochoro and we will be transferred to Aios Dionisyos along the famous Gorge of Enipeas. We begin our walk at the old mountain monastery of Agio Dionysios. After a short break we walk on a path passing a waterfall and an old bridge to Prionia. Here we will see one of the sources of the river Enipeas. We stay overnight in the mountain refuge A.
Trekking time approx. 5 hours Altitude: 900 – 1100 - 2100
Day 4 Refuge A – Olympos Peaks, Skala, Skolio /Mytikas – Refuge A
Yesterday’s hardship of ascending to the ‘seat of the gods’ will be rewarded by a beautiful sunrise in the high mountains above the Aegean Sea and a day trekking the peaks of Olympos. After breakfast at the refuge we take the route up to the peak of Skala at 2866m., where we’ll rest, eat our picnic lunch and take in the breathtaking views. Depending on the weather we’ll continue to Mytikas the highest peak of the Olympos range and the Balkan. The other option is to visit the peak of Skolio at 2911m. Overnight again at the Refuge A.
Trekking time approx. 6 hours , Altitude: 2100 – 2911 - 2866 – 2100
Day 5 Refuge A – Agios Antonios – Kakavrakas – Ennea Pyrgoi - Karya
Today we’ll leave the main mountain range and descend to the lower mountains of the Kato Olympos to the south. After breakfast at the refuge we’ll hike in the shadow of the Olympos peaks to the tiny mountain hut of Agios Antonios, where we’ll take a first rest. Our trail leaves the alpine mountain region as we follow a scenic path along the foot of bare Mt. Kakavrakos and Mt. Ennea Pyrgoi. After Mt. Ennea Pyrgoi we’ll reach the forested slopes  of Kato Olympos. The change in vegetation is sudden and exhilarating. Through dense pine forest we reach Karya, a small traditional mountain village where we’ll stay overnight in a comfortable guest house. Trekking time approx. 7 hours , Altitude: 2100 – 2817 - 2500 – 2400 – 1100
Day 6 Karya – Karya Valley – Agia Paraskevi – Kallipefki
This day at Kato Olympos is an easy day of hiking, giving us a chance to rest in the afternoon from the efforts of the previous days. We’ll leave Karya and our guesthouse in the morning and cross the valley following a footpath to the foot of Mt. Analipsi and the springs of Agia Paraskevi. The path leads over the mountain ridge into the beautiful plateau of Kallipefki where we have a short hike on an asphalt street leading into the traditional mountain village and our comfortable guest house.
Trekking time approx. 3 hours , Altitude: 1100 – 1000 - 1200 – 1100
Day 7 Kallipefki – Voskotopoi – Profitis Ilias – Rapsani - Platamonas
Today’s tour leads us first across the high plateau of Kallipefki with its wide views. We are passing farms and pastures and enter into a picturesque valley from where we ascend to the ruins of Voskotopoi, an ancient village. There we pick up an old footpath lined with shrubby oaks. The views at the Ossa mountain range to the south and the Aegean Sea to the east are spectacular whilst trekking along the flanks of Mt. Ionas Spermoti and the foot of Mt. Profitis Ilias. In the afternoon we’ll reach the mountain and wine village of Rapsani. Following the narrow streets we’ll reach the village square where we can rest under the old Plantana trees and taste some of the local wine. We will be picked up in Rapsani and transfer to Litohoro.
Trekking time approx. 5 hours, Altitude: 1100 – 1250 – 550
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to the airport
Accommodation:
2 nights with breakfast in a mountain refuge (no possibility for a single room)
3 nights with breakfast in a hotel
2 nights with breakfast in a guest house (no possibility for single room)
Our Guesthouses and Mountain Lodges
Guesthouse in Litochoro:
Comfortable and professionally managed guesthouse situated quietly in the village at the very foot of Mt. Olympos. Double Rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The picturesque village with its tiny streets and village square is very inviting.
Refuge A:
Well-organized and comfortable refuge situated at 2100mtr. on Mt. Olympos. We sleep in non-gender specific dormitories and bunk beds. There are cold water showers and sinks and a comfortable common room with an open fireplace. The food is simple and hearty. The only thing to bring to accommodate the overnight stay besides personal items is a sleeping bag in-liner or sheet. Blankets, pillows etc. are available at the refuge. There is no electricity in the refuge.
Askouris in Kallipefki:
New guesthouse, situated very picturesquely on the beautiful mountain plateau of Kallipefki. Double rooms are equipped with en-suite bathrooms and there is a comfortable guestroom with a fireplace.
Guesthouse Karya:
Simple but comfortable guesthouse with double rooms, shared bathroom and a traditional guest lounge
NOTE: On this trip guests carry their own daily walking luggage with them. We are providing 2 main luggage transfers during the trip where the guests main luggage will await them upon arrival in the evening at the guesthouse. This ensures that trekking luggage can be kept at a minimum.
The paths from the refuge up to the peaks and between the peaks can be dangerous due to bad weather conditions or inappropriate equipment, physical or mental condition of one or more guests. The program described is a planned route and is subject to change according to the judgment of the trekking guide at any point in time during the tour. You will asked on arrival to sign a disclaimer form, stating that participation in the tour is entirely at your own risk before starting the tour and that neither the us or the trekking guide will be held responsible in case of accident or other damages.
Guided tour : 6 persons minimum.
|
What is Included
- 7 nights bed and breakfast
- Information Pack
- 6 guided walks
- transfers for the luggage (Karya, Platamonas)
- Local support
- 3 x luggage transfers
|
Extras
- Transport before and after tour
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
|
|
2009 Prices
|
|
Tour Code GRECGOD
|
|
Price per persons based on 2 persons sharing double room
|
£662
|
|
Single room ( 3 nights only )
|
£732
|
|
How to get there
The majority of flights into Thessaloniki from the UK are on a daily basis operated by Olympic
Airways. There are also flights by British Airways, Alitalia, Lufthansa, Air France, Aegean Airlines and KLM via Amsterdam. From end April to beginning of October the following charter companies fly into Thessaloniki on
Mondays and Thursdays: Kronos Airlines, Britannia, Crossair, British Midland and more.
To view other Greek walking holidays Halkidiki , West Crete , Olympus
Click below to view our
Cycling Holidays in Greece
HOME
|
