The best way to explore and discover the magnificence of Olympus is through its trails. There are more than 80 marked routes and paths offered for mountain climbing and hiking, each having a different level of difficulty: some are easily accessible – as a matter of fact, some can be reached by car or bicycle -, while others can be arduous, requiring prior hiking experience and a good physical condition. Needless to say, the most challenging trail is the one leading to Mytikas, the highest peak of Mt. Olympus. Climate and landscape shifts, dense forests and ethereal waterfalls leading into small ponds, scenery juxtaposed with mountain plateaus and alpine regions with scarce vegetation, the gaze is never fatigued.
Organized refuges and shelters provide visitors with everything that’s required for a safe stay. The Olympus National Park Information Center located in Litochoro provides all necessary information pertinent to the routes, refuges, etc.
EAST OLYMPUS | PIERIA
CATEGORY | Walking Route
Route length 13.4km, moderate difficulty level, duration approximately 6 hours.
Gortsia, on the 14th klm of Litochoro-Prionia, is accessible by car and parking-space is available. Starting from Gortsia and passing a plateau, known as “Barba”, you reach a water well.
WEST OLYMPUS | ELASSONA
cATEGORY | Car & Walking Route
Road distance 22,2km, duration approximately 50 min.
The village of Kalyvia is located 20km from Elassona. It is ideal for a short-break at Olympus, and requires a 4Χ4 jeep for the off-road destinations and for reaching the Christaki Emergency Refuge (2.550m.).
EAST OLYMPUS | PIERIA
cATEGORY | Walking Route
Moderate in difficulty, the 4.500m trekking-route lasts approximately 3h. The area of Prionia is located at an altitude of 1.100m., while the refuge is clinging over 2.040m. This is Olympus’ most popular hiking trail and part of the E4 international hiking path.
WEST OLYMPUS | ELASSONA
cATEGORY | Walking Route
Route length 5km, moderate to high difficulty level, duration approximately 3 hours.
This is the shortest and, consequently, the fastest way to Olympus’ grand peak, as it passes by the Chrystaki Emergency Refuge (2.550m.), which is accessible by car (advisable a 4X4 jeep).
EAST OLYMPUS | PIERIA
cATEGORY | Walking Route
Route length 9K, moderate difficulty, duration 5h.
Myloi, over an altitude of 400m, is one of the entrances to Olympus’ National Park. This is where the European Long-distance Path (E4) begins to cross Enipeas Canyon reaching as far as the springs of the river in Prionia (1100m altitude).
EAST OLYMPUS | PIERIA
cATEGORY | Walking Route
This easy 6k-route, that lasts approximately 2h and is accessible by car up to the point of Prionia (1100m altitude), is known for its natural beauty and religious interest.
EAST OLYMPUS | PIERIA
cATEGORY | Walking Route
The two hiking trails leading to Mytikas, Olympus’ highest peak, set off from the Spilios Agapitos Mountain Refuge. They have a different level of difficulty.
1st: Spilios Agapitos Refuge– Skala – Mytikas: route length 3K, moderate difficulty, approximate duration 3h. Setting off from Spilios Agapitos Refuge, (2.040m. altitude), the E4 hiking trail is ascending.
WEST OLYMPUS | ELASSONA
cATEGORY | Car Route
The Elassona-Leptokarya route, via Karya, is 73km long and lasts approximately 1h and 45min by car when driving via the provincial roads of Kallithea-Krya Vrysi, Karya-Elassona and Larissa-Kallipefki. Shortly after departing, on the right of the route, there is the archeological site of Olosson. According to Homer, the ancient town of Olosson took part in the Trojan War.
WEST OLYMPUS | ELASSONA
cATEGORY | Alpine Route
Winter route, easy, duration approximately 3h.
42km from Elassona, at an altitude of 1.805m., you come across “Vrysopoules”, the area where the Education Centre of Alpine Skiing (ECAS) of the Greek Armed Forces is located. Just above the military facilities, there is the mountaineering refuge “Vrysopoules ECAS”.
WEST OLYMPUS | ELASSONA
cATEGORY | Car Route
Route length 9km, moderate difficulty level, duration approximately 6 hours.
Rising to an altitude of 1100m, the village of Kokkinopilos (or Kokkinoplos) is 34km away from Elassona. Though the least known out of all Olympus’ routes, it is just as interesting, offering great vistas.
