Kalypso I: April**, May**, June*, July.

Kalypso II: April**, May**, June**, July*, August, September, October.

Kolopanou: April**, May**, June, July.

Kakoskala Ia: April, May**, June**,July*, August*, September.

Kakoskala Ib: April*, May**, June**, July*, August*, September, October.

Kakoskala Ic: March*, April**, May**, June*, July.

Kryoneri: April*, May**, June*.

Kakoskala IIa: April*, May**, June**, July*, August, September, October.

Kakoskala IIb: April**, May**, June**, July*, August, September, October.

Giannoulas: April*, May**, June*, July.

Rakopotamos I & II: April*, May**, June**, July**, August*, September*, October.

Enipeas I, II & III: July, August**, September*, October.

Orlias I, II & III: April, May*, June**, July**, August**, September*, October*.

The post What is the best time to go Canyoning with us? appeared first on Olympos Trek.

a. Swimming suit – the tight type for the men – wearing it from before.

b. Water shoes (not soft ones / hard enough for walking) or amphibian walking shoes or trainers or light walking shoes, for inside the canyon (they will get wet).

c. Spare underwear.

d. Bath towel.

e. A day sac for your personals would help (not necessary).

f. For the walk-in to the canyon, especially in the summer months, an extra pair of light shorts and tee-shirt.

The post What do I need to bring with me for Canyoning? appeared first on Olympos Trek.

Most of the canyoning in the area takes place in the wonderful canyons of the north east Mt. Kissavos or Ossa. Ten different sections of canyons of various interest and beauty are situated on the very green north east slopes of Mt. Kissavos. So, for this activity we meet either at our Mt. Kissavos base (outdoor activity center of Mt. Kissavos), or at the nearby Karitsa village, at its south end, where the characteristic spring is. In case of other activities than canyoning we can meet at the seaside village of Stomion or even at your accommodation / hotel in the area. This will  be arranged in person if and when needed depending upon the nature and location of the activity.

How you come: If you travel from the south on E75 motorway, after by-passing Larisa and just after the Makrychori toll-post, you come off at the exit to Evangelismos & Tempi valley. In the a couple of kilometers you enter the valley and at its other end, just before the Pinios river bridge, you exit to the right to Omolio, Stomion, Karytsa and the coast.  Accordingly, if you travel from the north on the E75 and just after passing through the Tempi valley tunels, you come off at the same exit (Evangelismos & Tempi valley) and through the valley to the exit to Omolio, Stomion, Karytsa and the coast.  You bypass Omolion from left side and another 7 km lead you to Stomion. You bypass Stomion from right side and you start going uphill towards Karytsa. Note that after bypassing Stomion there are two road splits. In the first one you go left and in the second one you take the road on the right to Karytsa (the left road goes along the coast, while the one to Karytsa continues uphill).

How you come to our base:

One kilometer before Karytsa, you come across the hotel Dohos situated on the left side of the road. Just after passing the hotel, turn right to Spilia and Arioprino. There is an “Olympos Trek” sign at this turning as well. In another 3.1 km, you arrive at the picnic area and café / restaurant at “Arioprino” location. At this point you take the dirt road on your right, following the Olympos Trek sign, to reach our base (an other Olympos Trek sign) in another 2.6 km.

Where we meet for the Mt. Olympus canyons:

We meet either at Litohoro – the main town at the eastern feet of the mountain – for the Enipeas canyon or at Dion – well known archeological site and village at the north east feet of the mountain – for the Orlias canyon. Both places are very well known and easily accessible (exit to Litohoro and Dion on the E75 motorway).

For the Orlias canyon it is usually better to meet at the canyon’s starting point, where the meeting point is at the Agios Konstantinos chapel. To get there, you go as follows: On the Athens – Thessaloniki highway, between Leptokarya and Katerini, you exit to Litochoro and Dion. You go to Dion. At the entrance of Dion you turn left following the sign for Mt. Olympus. Then, small signs to “Mt. Olympus” lead you through the village and out of it to the road which will take you to the canyon location and the chapel. While on this road, you are facing the mountain, and when you reach its feet, a few zig-zag turns up the mountain, will lead you to the chapel area (the chapel on the right side of the road). At this point the asphalt ends and continues as a dirt road.

Have a nice trip!

The post Canyoning on Mt. Kissavos & Mt. Olympus. How and where you come? appeared first on Olympos Trek.

Note that the duration of descent time stated in the description of every canyon / section, is indicative and concerns the time spent inside the canyon based on a medium size group of 8 to 10 people, with little or no previous experience. This time does not include the transfers’ time to and from the canyon, the walk in and out, the preparation / gearing up and the picnic.

In order to have a picture of the total activity’s time, from the meeting point to the “ready to return home” point, add another 2.30’ to 3.30’ hours to the descent time, depending upon the nature and location of the canyon, for every section / route.

For an experienced group it is possible to do two continuous canyon sections as one, on their request and after our agreement.

The post How long will Canyoning take all together? appeared first on Olympos Trek.

If the meeting place for the activity of Canyoning is at our Mt. Kissavos base (outdoor activity center of Mt. Kissavos), we get geared up there and then (put on the neoprene long Johns and jackets, harnesses, helmets e.t.c.) and you are transferred in our means of transport to the starting point of the canyon we are about to descend. In case of meeting at Karitsa village, you are transferred again in our means of transport to the starting point of the canyon (usually dirt road), to gear up. For Rakopotamos canyon the meeting point is at the small harbor of Agiokampos, to be transferred the same way (our means of transport) to the starting point. All the above meeting places are linked with “Google Maps – Our activities Destinations”,  so that you can have all the road directions you need for coming to the actual places. You can always have our directions in person as well if needed.

For the canyons on Mt. Olympus:

The same sequence takes place after we have met in Litohoro for Enipeas canyon (at the central open car parking place bihind the ) and at Dion for Orlias-canyon (At the entrance of the archaeological museum. At the village’s entrance – you do not get into the village – turn left and in about 100m you see the relevant sign at the entrance of the museum on your right). For the above meeting places as well, being linked with “Google Maps – Our activities Destinations”, you can have all the road directions you need for coming to the actual place. You can always have our directions in person as well if needed.

The process:

For all canyons, just before the actual Canyoning, we all attend the beginners’ briefing about abseiling down waterfalls and what we should know and be aware of while moving in the canyon.

Pretty soon, any beginner’s initial nervousness disappears. We are now in another wonderful world and we simply enjoy it. At a nice spot in the canyon, we stop for hot tea and cookies your guides have carried for you.

Upon finishing, the Olympos Trek vehicle is waiting for you with your dry clothes, as well as a nice picnic.

When you feel ready to go, you are transferred back to your vehicle for your return. With most of the Mt. Olympus canyons, the local dirt road transfers are not usually needed as the meeting place is the same starting and finishing point and some approach walk to the route’s starting point in the canyon is involved.

Note that canyoning, compared with other activities and because of its complex nature, takes quite a long time, ranging from 4 hours min to 9 hours max, depending upon which canyon we have chosen to do. Nevertheless, it is a slow process without any particular feeling of physical fatigue in most cases.

What you really need to have is good, positive spirit as well as a basic knowledge of swimming, especially for canyons with large / long pools.

The post More information about Canyoning. Where we meet. How it is done. The process of the activity for all canyons. appeared first on Olympos Trek.

Our thoughts as well as some facts about canyoning.

Canyoning offers to the participant so much, as few other activities in nature can offer. It combines in the best possible way off-path walking, swimming and jumping in natural pools, water sliding, fly-foxing and of course abseiling in or alongside amazing waterfalls!

One enjoys intense moments of high adrenaline, as well as relaxation and tranquility in very impressive landscapes of rare beauty. As a result, the participant experiences a very special and close contact with the natural environment, with all the unquestionable benefits this contact can offer.

All this is done with absolute safety, following all the appropriate safety precautions / regulations – not so much “by the book” but mostly by enormous experience! – along with the use of the most specialized equipment (neoprene wet-suits, protective helmets, harnesses, e.t.c.) and the guidance of experienced canyoning guides (in our case, 2 guides per group of up to 10 persons).

The ten different canyon sections of the north east Kissavos, the six of the north east Olympus and the two of the south Kissavos / north Mavrovouni, cover by far every level of ability and interest, from the complete beginners to the ones with previous experience, who seek something more in canyoning.

The gifted and plentiful nature, along with the professionalism, know-how and local knowledge of the Olympos Trek people, will guarantee a most unforgettable and exiting time! Your high spirit and love for everything nice and pure in the nature will really help towards it!

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