01. 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 will reach a water well. If you turn left, you’ll take the path that leads to the cave where the painter of Olympus, Vasilis Ithakisios, spent his life in the isolation of nature. Otherwise, you remain on the main path and after 600m you will arrive at the Refuge of Petrostrougka (1.925m). From there you ascend to “Skourta” peak at 2.485m altitude. The 360ο views over the mountain peaks, the Muses Plateau, Pieria mountains and the sea will leave you stunned and will compensate for the alpine nature, which is scarce of vegetation. Next comes Laimos, a narrow, steep passage that leads to the Summit of Muses. There is a point where the path diverges in two: the one on the left leading to Christos Kakkalos Refuge, while the other on the right to Giosos Apostolides. From both refuges, you may reach the peaks of Toumba (2.801m), and Profitis Ilias (2.803m), as well as other high peaks of Olympus.