Olymp (east access) - Olymp (Ostzugang)

This article covers that Olympus massif with access from the east Litochoro through the Enipeas Valley.

background

The Olympus massif rises in the south of Macedonia on the border to Thessaly and due to its proximity to the sea level of the Thermean Gulf, it appears particularly impressive when viewed from there. The inaccessible mountains in antiquity with their often cloud-shrouded peaks led to the Olympus was considered the abode of the gods in Greek mythology.

history

In antiquity, people shied away from climbing the impassable mountains, although offerings for the twelve Olympian gods were made on the summit of Agios Antonios, as archaeological finds show.

In modern times, the French L. Heuzey, the German H. Barth attempted the ascent, the German E. Richter was prevented from climbing the summit by brigands. Only after the region was liberated from Ottoman rule did the Swiss F. Boissonnas and D. Baud-Bovy succeed under the leadership of Christos Kakalos Litochoro the first ascent of the highest peak Mytikas.

Lately, numerous hiking routes and trails have been designated. In the summer and autumn season, a whole network of shelters is operated.

landscape

The Olympus massif rises extremely imposingly from sea level, but Mount Olympus is really the highest mountain range in Greece. The shape of the entire massif resembles a horseshoe around the Enipeas Gorge, the after Prionia leads from where most hikers start to climb Olympus.

In addition to the main approach described here, via Litochoro through the Enipeas Gorge to Prionia there is still access from Karya resp. Olympiada from the south and across Dion and Vrontou from the north flank into the massif.

Flora and fauna

The core area of ​​the Olympus massif was placed under protection as early as 1938, which expanded Protected area has since been expanded to 24,000 hectares.

In the Olympus massif there are 1,700 plant species mainly from the Mediterranean flora, with the Jankea heldreichii a total of 23 locally endemic species that are only found in the Olympus massif; the flora includes an enormous variety due to the height extension from the Mediterranean Sea at the foot of the massif to the high mountain flora above the tree line.

32 species of mammals live in the region, among the largest after the last bear was shot in 1980, chamois, roe deer and wild boar. In ancient times there were reports of lions, which today no longer cross the path of the wanderer. Among the hundred bird species there are numerous birds of prey to be mentioned, as well as insects, butterflies and the more unpleasant winged creatures such as horseflies.

climate

At the foot of the mountain massif, on the beach of the Thermean Gulf, you can enjoy the hot Mediterranean climate in summer, but the clouds that form on the slopes due to the temperature differences lead to precipitation all year round, which feed the springs around the massif and keep this part of Greece green in summer. With increasing altitude you get into an alpine climate. In order to reach the summit, which is just over 2900 m high, the snow must first be melted in May, and sometimes the hiking trails to Mytikas are not definitively opened until June after snow falls.

getting there

Those who arrive by plane are most likely to use the one about 120 km away 40.51972222.970917Thessaloniki Airport(IATA: SKG) and in just under an hour and a half by rental car you can get to what is often the starting point for Olympus tours Litochoro.
The Thessaloniki – Athens railway runs along Mount Olympus. The »Prostiakos« trains between Thessaloníki and Lárisa, which run every two hours, stop at all access points. Litochoro has its own train station, it is located about 2.5 kilometers from the center on the coast. It is also possible to take a bus from Katerini to Litochoro. Railways and bus companies are fierce competitors in Greece, the timetables and access points are not coordinated.

The easiest way to get there is by private vehicle. From the toll motorway A1, which runs east of the Olympus massif in north-south direction, the region is best reached via the exits Litochoro or Dion Museum (for the north entrance).

Fees, permits and regulations

There is no charge for access to the park. No permits are required to climb the peaks.

For the stay in Olympus National Park there are clear rules of conduct:

• the entry in the national park is only in the time of sunrise to sunset on the officially designated paths allowed.
• Young people under 14 years of age are only allowed to visit the national park when accompanied by an adult.
• Park is only permitted in the area of ​​the signposted parking spaces.
• It is forbidden Pick, Dig up, destroy of plants and trees and collecting seeds
• That is forbidden hunt on all animals throughout the year (in the core area), disturbing birds and taking eggs or young animals with you
• Damage to geological formations, including the collection of stones, is prohibited
• It is forbidden to let pets run freely (dogs must be on a leash).

mobility

In the Olympus massif itself, you move on foot, mountain hiking experience is an advantage. The ascent of the Skala summit is easily possible for anyone with mountain hiking experience, in order to conquer the main summit, Mytikas, which is a few meters higher, climbing skills (level of difficulty II, three-point posture, safety rope only for inexperienced) are necessary.
In addition to the normal hiking routes, there are also via ferratas with high levels of difficulty.

The access routes are partly paved, then continue as gravel roads, which can only be used by vehicles with good ground clearance, possibly four-wheel drive and off-road vehicles, respectively. appropriate motorcycles can be ridden.

Tourist Attractions

Access via Litochoro according to Prionia

• The access road to Prionia begins on the northern edge of the town Litochoro. It has been paved for a few years, the descriptions in older manuals about the "Worst slope in Greece" are history. If you have some mountain experience, the road is also easy to drive on by bike.
• In the first serpentine the driveway branches off to the new one 40.1182722.483791 Moni Ag. DionysiusType is group designationOsios Dionysios Monastery from.
• After the next bend you pass it 40.1131222.485241 Information point for Mount Olympus tours the management of the Mt. Olympus National Park, the speed limit is used so that the number and origin of the cars can be controlled. It is worth stopping here, you get information about the accessibility of the paths and opening times of the various mountain huts and shelters.

• the road is now gaining height, after a few bends that is on the right Refuge D / Stavros Refuge (see below), since Prionia is easily accessible on the access road, the restaurant is particularly popular.
• the car park 40.103122.44261 Gortsia (Γκορτσιά) is often used as the starting point of the tour, as one starts here from the maximum height. Then the road to Prionia drops slightly again (and you »lose« a few meters in altitude). Possibility to climb after Petrostrouga (1950 m).

• a wide paved road branches off a little later and ends in a large parking lot at 40.09422.42862 Monastery of Agios DionisiosType is group designation (Μ. Αγ. Διονυσιου). The monastery is currently being restored at great expense, the entire ensemble is already worth seeing (note the complainant's regulations). At the entrance, a stall selling local products, honey and wine.

• In the last section, the road is no longer asphalted, as it is repeatedly flooded or undermined, but it remains easy to drive on with a few bumps and ends at 40.0841122.4072 Prionia hiking car park.
  

Here one in the area of ​​a former wood sawmill restaurant, public toilets and drinking water point, it is no longer possible to continue your journey.

A Information board informed about the Rules in the national park and the various ascent routes, the most popular Route E4 starts here if you haven't already started off Litochoro through the Enipeas Gorge on foot.

Litochoro - Enipeas Gorge - Prionia

In older documents the gorge is still called »Vithos Gorge«.

• the as E4 The marked footpath starts in the upper part of Litochoro (near the rest. Mili) and runs along the Enipeas river. The long-distance hiking trail crosses the whole of Litochoro, well marked, making it easy to find.
• after four hundred meters there is a path to Vithos (approx. 500 m) to the river, the path then runs longer on the south side of the gorge above the Enipeas, only after approx. 3 km you get back to the river.
• the river is crossed again and again on seven wooden bridges.
• the path follows the course of the Enipeas, after approx. 3 hours (after 6.4 km) you reach the 40.093922.43813 Agios Dionisios cave churchType is group designation, here is a spring.
• Via a branch you can go a little further upstream (after 7.3 km) to the currently restored old one Agios Dionisios monastery rising up.
• after another 500 m there is a side path to the left waterfall of Enipeas.
• at the site of the former sawmill Prionia Pub, toilets, parking lot; this is where the actual ascent to hut A.

(Tour length 9.8 km; difference in altitude 980 m, 5 - 6 hours to Prionia; if you want to spend the night on the evening of the first day of the tour, you have to add the three hours to hut A during the walking time)

Prionia - Hut A »Spilios Agapitos«

• of Prionia the well-developed and secured hiking trail begins E4which leads to hut A in approx. 2½ to 3 hours. Since from there a further 3 hours to the summit of Skala are to be expected, many Olymp tourers plan an overnight stay here.
• Shortly after Prionia, the Enipeas is crossed on a bridge, bathing in the water in the picturesque canyon with the small waterfall is not allowed (use of the water as drinking water).
• In Pigadouli there is a resting place with benches, the tap only supplies water at times

(Distance 7 km; difference in altitude 1150 m; duration 2½ hours)

Hut A »Spilios Agapitos« - Olympus summit Skala (- optional: Olympmipfel Mytikas)

• from Refuge A you can climb to the top in about three hours scale on, for usual mountain hikers there are no technical problems.
• the path initially runs steeply over the ridge Chondhromesorachi (Χονδρομεσοράχι), then you get to one at 2490 meters 40.075822.36413 Point 2490Fork in the road. The middle way leads as E4 on the Summit scale (2866 m above sea level), of the parallel paths, the left path should be used for the ascent and the right for the descent in the sense of a direction-separated motorway, so that the hikers do not get in each other's way by crossing.

(Distance 2.9 km; difference in altitude 822 m; duration approx. 2 hours)

• only mountain people with climbing experience can continue on the path marked in red from the summit of Skala Mytikas summit (which is a little higher at 2918 m and is therefore the highest peak of the Olympus massif). The path initially runs a little downwards into the depression schism (2805 m) and then climbs to Mytikas, climbing difficulty level II (surefootedness and a head for heights required!), Approx. 30 min. Each way.

Point 2490 - Zonaria - (Mitikas) - Plateau of the Muses

• the path rises from the fork in the path at point 2490 m to 2600 m and then traverses, starting from the fork in the ascent to the Skala summit Zonaria in the direction Muses Plateau. Halfway through a couloir you can climb to the Mitikas summit, a little further on another marked ascent leads through another couloir to Stefani summit.
• at Portes the path forks, the south-eastern path leads to Refuge C / Ch. Cocktails; the more northerly way leads to the SEO refuge Giosos Apostolidis at the foot of the Profitis Ilias summit.

(Distance 3.2 km; difference in altitude 330 m; duration 1h 15 min.)

Chondromesorachi - Plateau of the Muses

• Another path leads shortly after "Refuge A" (before the ascent) in a somewhat more strenuous ascent to the Plateau of the Muses with the two refuges Refuge C / Ch. Kakalos and SEO Refuge G. Apostolidis.

(Distance 2.3 km; difference in altitude 560 m; duration 1h 45 min.)

Gortsia - Petrostrouga - Skourta - Plateau of the Muses

• from the hiking car park Gortsia on the road to Prionia, the footpath climbs up to Barba (1450 m, 1 hour)
• from there the path turns to the west, then leads in an arc northwards to the Petrostrouga Refuge (1950 m, 1 hour). Two side paths branch off from the route to the Ithakisios cave and to Strago's source from.
• from the refuge the path leads around the summit Mandres and over the summit Skourta, and then over the fused one Giosos Pass.
• after another short distance it will Plateau of the Muses reached, here the two refuges Refuge C / Ch. Kakalos and SEO Refuge G. Apostolidis are in relative proximity.

(Total distance 10.9 km, 1864 m, 5 - 6 hours; 2 km to Barba; total 5.3 km to Petrostrouga)

activities

• hike and climbing, sometimes mountain biking on the gravel slopes
• You can swim in the Ourlias Gorge
• Visit to the various churches in the Olympus massif, including of the monastery of Agios Dionisios

shop

• Everything that is needed for an Olympus tour (including mountain equipment) can be found in the often chosen tour starting point Litochoro be procured in Dion there is a small supermarket for everyday needs.

kitchen

• in Dion and Litochoro you can eat in numerous taverns.

accommodation

Hotels and hostels

• in Litochoro you can stay in several hotels, in Dion guest rooms are offered.

Camping, overnight stay in mountain huts

• Free camping is prohibited in the entire national park area, the campsites on the Olympic Riviera are within a short driving distance.
• in quite a few Mountain huts can be stayed overnight
  • 40.1118722.468351  Refuge D / Stavros Refuge / Dimitrios Boundolas Refuge. Tel.: 30 23520 84100, 30 2310 278 288 (EOS Thessaloniki). 30 beds, especially the restaurant of the refuge is popular, great view, popular starting point for paragliding. Altitude 940 m above sea levelOpen: beginning of May to end of October, in winter only on weekends and public holidays.last change: not specified
  • 40.0822.37292  Refuge A, "Spilios Agapitos". Tel.: 30 23520 81800, 30 23520 81329. 120 beds, restaurant, toilets; Base for rescue operations; the mountain hut at 2060 m above sea level has been in operation since 1930 and is constantly being expanded, it is located on the most popular and best-developed ascent route ("E4") to the Olympus peaks of Skala and Mytikas.Open: mid-May to the end of October.last change: not specified
  • 40.1095722.413193  Petrostrouga Refuge. Tel.: 30 23520 83000 (Olympus National Park Management Agency), 30 23523 50100 (Municipality of Litochoro), 30 2310 310649 (Hellenic Rescue Team), 30 6977 246350 (N. Parmakis), Email: [email protected]. 80 beds, restaurant, helipad; operated by the Hellenic Rescue Team, altitude 1950 m above sea level.Open: in winter on weekends, in summer open daily.last change: not specified
  • 40.092922.36664  Refuge C / Christos Kakalos. Tel.: 30 6937 361689, Email: [email protected], [email protected]. 25 beds, food, toilets. The refuge at 2648 m is named after the Olymp leader and first Greek climber, Ch. Kakalos.Open: open mid-May to October and December to mid-April.last change: not specified
  • 40.0948722.361545  Refuge SEO Giosos Apostolidis. Tel.: 30 23510 82840, 30 6932 367998, 30 2310 224710. 80–100 beds, restaurant, toilets; the highest refuge at 2700 m is operated by the Thessaloniki Mountain Club (SEO of Salonica); from here ascent to the summit Profitis Iliad (Prophet Elias, 2788 m) and Touba (2801 m) possible.Open: open around mid-June to the end of September.last change: not specified
  • 40.03830222.3380046  Refuge B / Vrisopoules. Tel.: 30 24930 62163, 30 24930 23467 (Alpine Club Elassona). the refuge is located in a military camp and is only accessible to tour groups (alpine clubs) on request.Open: accessible only on request.last change: not specified

Practical advice

• Information is provided by Information point at the entrance to Litochoro to Prionia, Here information is provided about route difficulties and the accessibility / opening of the various routes (Greek, English). A short stop is worthwhile before every tour.
  

Important phone number:

• • Olympus National Forest Park Administration, Litochoro, Tel. 30 23520 83000, Fax. 30 23520 83974 resp. email [email protected] (answers to inquiries in English were assured)
  • Forestry Directorate Pieria, Katerini: 30 23510 45470
  • Elassona Forestry Office 30 24930 22243
  • Litochoro Forestry Office 30 23520 81042

• in Litochoro can leader be hired for mountain and climbing tours.

security

In the Olympus massif one moves in the high mountains; Before going on a tour, you can find out more at the information point, on hiking maps, using the contact telephone numbers for the nearest rescue organizations (back of the hiking map) and the location of the refuges.

The weather can change quickly, even if you have sweated on the beach at 36 ° C, a storm with hailstorms can brew up at an altitude of almost 3000 m, consult the weather report and always carry bad weather clothing with you.

trips

• to the North flank of the Olympus massif

Alternative routes from the south resp. West

Karia (Καρυα) - Agios Antonios - Skolio - Skala (path O2)

• one possibility to reach the massif from the south arises from the place 39.988922.39131 Karia(Καρυα) out.
• the marked O2 hiking trail leads to Panagia (1145 m), then to the Charvalovrisi spring (1400 m). The path then climbs in serpentines to the saddle of Kakavraka - Metamorfosi and continues to Bara (Μπαρα).
• the path surrounds the massif of Agios Antonios (optional ascent) in a wide arc to the west and then joins at Skolio summit with the way E4who is on the Summit scale continues.

(Total distance 19.9 km, difference in altitude 2250 m, approx. 8 hours).

Vrisopoules - Agios Antonios - Skolio - (Skala)

• via the access to the ski lift from 40.036422.33514 Vrisopoules(Βρυσοπουλες) can be driven up to 1810 m, from here the ascent with the smallest height difference is possible.
• the Refuge B is located in a military camp and is only accessible for tour groups by arrangement. A shelter for emergency bivouacs has been set up on Agios Antonios (12 beds).
• the path leads up along the ski lift and then circles the massif of des Agios Antonios (optional ascent to the summit) and leads to the Skolio summit and scale.

(Total distance 7 km, altitude difference 1100 m, approx. 3 hours).

Kokkinopilos - Skolio - scale

• the marked hiking trail begins in the west E4 in the village 40.094922.25422 Kokkinopilos at 1130 m.
• the path follows the Stalagmatia gorge and then climbs steeply in serpentines.
• in the course one arrives at Mikri Gourna and Megali Gourna and then passes the emergency bivouac shelter Christakis (10 beds, always accessible).
• on the Skolio summit leads the way E4 to the Summit scale further.

(Total distance 15 km, difference in altitude 1960 m, 6 - 7 hours).

Web information

• Website of the National Park Administration, Greek, Engl.
• Information about the refuges in the Olympus massif on the website of the park administration, engl.
• Overview maps can be downloaded from the park administration's website, useful for preparing your trip

literature

• Hiking map Topo25, 1:25 000, ΟΛΥΜΠΟΣ / Mt. Olympus, Anavasi, www.anavasi.gr, approx. € 5.00