8-day – “The Gods’ Kingdom”

After breakfast we move to the eastern side of Mt. Ossa (Kissavos) and by forest dirt road we reach our hike’s starting point at 1000m. Our today’s destination is  the highest summit of the mountain (1978m). The path unfolds in a rich birch and oak tree forest in the first half of the way and in alpine terrain in the second half, until we reach the Kanalos location and the local club’s mountain refuge at 1500m after 2.00’ to 2.30’ hours of walking. Here we have a good break for a light lunch and herbal tea and cookies. The summit dominates the area above our heads.

From this point onwards, we continue the walk to the summit. The first part of it is up the northwest slopes of the mountain and then, in a south west direction, we move with great views all the way up the eastern ridge, which leads us to the summit (1.00’ to 1.15’ hours). While on the summit, you are rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the region including the Aegean Sea, the Plain of Thessaly, Mount Olympus, Mount Pelion, the Pinios River delta and in clear weather – not very unlikely – the huge pyramid of Mt. Athos emerging out of the sea in the very distance to the east. We return by the same route back to Kanalos (45’ to 1.00’ hour) from where you are transferred by road back to your accommodation. But first we have a picnic lunch in the forest. Altitude covered, 978m. Approximate net walking time, 4.00’ to 4.30’ hours, easy / moderate.

Today’s walk will follow a path, which years ago, was the secret path connecting the very historical Ambelakia village with the eastern end of the Tempi valley and the way to the north of the country, from Thessaly to Makedonia. We call it secret because it was really the secret connection for anyone who didn’t want to use the “official” Tempi valley passage from Makedonia to Thessaly and the south or the other way round. This path, apart from its wild natural beauty, holds memories and energy of endless historical scenes of the area’s journey through time. Walking there, someone really feels it, so you will.

The walk starts at the entrance of the characteristic gorge which dominates the area of the eastern entrance / exit of the Tempi valley. The gorge is called Tranos Lakos (great gorge). The narrow path follows the right side of the gorge along a ledge with high rock faces above and great views bellow and the opposite side of the gorge. We start the walk at almost sea level and move along the western side of the canyon up to where it narrows distinctively at 500m. There, we steeply go up on the gorge’s right slope and through a well hidden pass we get to the top at 720m, where we have a picnic lunch at the yard of a picturesque chapel in the forest. After this, we go by road to the ”castle of Orgia”, to ejoy a dramatic panoramic view of the Tempi valley and the Pinios river long way down!! Then we head for the village of Ambelakia, not far away by road, where we get the opportunity to visit this very historical village, its cultural museum and the “Schwartz” mansion– typical example of the local architecture, external and internal – and be introduced to the rich history of the place, as it is the place of the first recorded cooperative internationally. Your remaining time will be free to explore or, indeed, relax at the peaceful village square enjoying a drink along with the locals. Altitude covered, 720m. Approximate net walking time, 3.30’ to 4.00’ hours, moderate / challenging.

Today we leave Mt. Kissavos and our accommodation there, to go to its famous neighbor Mt. Olympus, at the eastern feet of it, in the citadel of Litohoro. Our today’s walk will take us along the very impressive Enipeas gorge! Another gorge crossing, on Mt. Olympus this time! We start just outside Litochoro, at 300m. It is an amazingly beautiful place to cross, drowned in greenery, with Enipeas stream running alongside with us. On the way, we stop by one of the numerous crystal clear pools, where we have our light snack hot drink and cookies. Our guides will introduce you to the very interesting and unique in many cases flora of Mt. Olympus! We are at the very heart of the lower part of the mountain.  We end up at Prionia location at 1100m where we have our lunch at before we return by road to Litohoro and your accommodation there. The rest of the day free to explore Litohoro. Altitude covered, 800m. Approximate net walking time, 5.00’ – 5.30’ hours, easy / moderate.

After an early breakfast, we move by road to the north side of the mountain and to the starting point of our today’s walk, at 300m. The path unfolds in very dense Mediterranean type forest on the left side of the Orlias canyon, with great view points of the canyon’s waterfalls. As we move higher and leave the Orlias canyon behind us, the Mediterranean type forest slowly becomes a pine tree forest. After 2.30’ hours of ascent we reach the mountain refuge of “Koromilia” at 1000m, where we have a light meal and a good rest. We continue to our today’s destination which is the “Petrostrouga” location and homonymous Mountain refuge at 1920m for another 3.00’ to 3.30’ hours. The views down the northern sides of the mountain, the Thermaikos gulf of Thessaloniki and Halkidiki in the far distance are stunning. We spend the night in the Petrostrouga mountain refuge. Altitude covered, 1620m. Approximate net walking time, 5.30’ – 6.00’ hours, moderate / challenging.

We have an early start to go to our today’s destination, the magnificent mouses’ plateau, via an equally magnificent route, especially from the time we come out to the alpine zone and move along the “Lemos” ridge with stunning views at both sides. Truly a great hike! We reach the plateau after a 2.30’ to 3.00’ walk. We are very close to the highest summits of the mountain. The “Throne of Zeus”, the third highest summit, dominates the whole area.

We will have all the time we need to relax, enjoy the place at one of the two mountain refuges there and for the ones who wish we can attempt the ascent to the highest summit Mytikas (2918m) and the other smaller summits around the plateau. We spend the night here.

Altitude covered, 750m to the plateau and 850m to the smaller summits around it and 1000m for the ones who will climb the highest summit. Approximate net walking time about 5.30’ – 6.00’ hours to the plateau. To the highest summit and buck add another 3.00’ hours. The walk is classed as moderate to the plateau and challenging scramble to the highest summit.

Sadly enough, we leave the plateau for our descent via another long ridge, the so called “Barbalas” ridge. This is another great ridge hike, with fantastic views all the way down, being by many characterized as the nicest and most atmospheric route up or down the mountain. From the 2700m at the plateau, we go down to 980m to the “Krevatia” location and the homonymous refuge where our support vehicle will be waiting for us to take us back to Litohoro and the hotel. But before we do that, we all seat round the table at Krevatia refuge for a farewell meal.

Altitude covered, 1720m down. Approximate net walking time, 6.00’ to 7.00’ hours, moderate / challenging.

Transfer to the airport for the return flight.

Pricing policy: our multi activity holiday programs / trips are meant mainly for you who “Plan your own holiday” or if you who want to “Do it yourself”. By being retailers and providers at the same time on these actual programs, we are able to deliver and provide a personalized service at an excellent price, without compromising on the quality of our activities. As local activity suppliers, our expert knowledge of the area ensures for you a more personal feel and direct communication with us and the area, thus, more control on your behalf, over your holiday.

Our multi activity holiday programs / activity combinations are designed and put in place for every different proposal / program in such a way, that only our experience and knowledge concerning the local conditions could achieve towards your maximum enjoyment. It took long sessions of evaluating various elements and parameters like the group’s type – individuals/family/children’s age groups – the activities’ level and the time period in relation to the weather conditions, before reaching the desired outcome. We believe that we have succeeded there achieving the harmony we were seeking. Our clients’ comments which have helped us a lot towards it, are in favor of this. We are grateful to them!

Just take the advantage of this work, at prices that you will find nowhere else for such full, well designed, high-quality multi-activity holiday programs!

So, the above Prices apply mainly to the independent traveler, who will have their own means of transport, thus, come independently from their accommodation to the meeting point for every activity and back, with our and our website’s directions at all times. During the booking procedure and contact with us you will also be given all the information / directions needed to get from the airport to your accommodation. The “Google Maps – our activities Destinations” in our website will help you a lot towards it. We take care of the appropriate accommodation for you, being close and handy to the activities area.

As it is explained below (“Things you should know” at “Transport”), if you do not have your own means of transport, the transfers from the arrival stations to your accommodation and back, as well as the transfers from the accommodation to the activity’s location and back, will be done by us at an extra cost.

Note that if you are less than 4 persons without other participants in your actual available dates, we can do the full program exclusively for you if you wish, at an additional 25% if you are 3 persons and 45% if you are 2 persons on the activities price. This means an 18.5% for 3 persons and 33.5% for 2 persons on the above total (activities + accommodation) prices.