This article covers that Olympus massif with access from the south and west via the village of Karya.
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 ancient times, people shied away from climbing the inaccessible 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.
Numerous hiking routes and trails have recently 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 and is 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. Besides this here the main approach described above Litochoro through the Enipeas Gorge are there still access options 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, a total of 23 locally endemic species that are only found in the Olympus massif; The flora includes an enormous variety due to the altitude 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 and butterflies.
climate
At the foot of the mountain range, on the beach of the Thermean Gulf, you can enjoy the hot Mediterranean climate in summer; Because of the temperature differences, clouds form again and again on the slopes of the Olympus massif and precipitation can occur all year round, which feed the springs around the Olympus 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 definitely open until June after snow falls.
getting there
Those who arrive by plane are most likely to use the one about 120 km away Thessaloniki Airport
(IATA: SKG) and in just under an hour and a half by rental car you can reach what is often the starting point for Mount Olympus tours Litochoro.
The Thessaloniki – Athens railway runs along Mount Olympus. The »Prostiakos« trains, which run every two hours between Thessaloniki and Larisa stop at all access points. Litochoro has its own train station, located near the coast about 2.5 kilometers from the center. Public transport offers only very limited possibilities for arriving from the south or west.
The easiest way to get there is by private vehicle. From the toll motorway following the coastline 
, which runs east of the Olympus massif in north-south direction, the best way to reach the south / west flank is via the exit 
75 Leptokarya.
To arrive from the southwest, from Larisa or Kozani off, you take the country road EO3 and joins Micro Eleutherochori on the EO13 in the direction Kallithea / Karya from.
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 and collecting butterflies
- 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 are necessary (level of difficulty II, three-point posture, safety rope only for inexperienced people).
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 Leptocaria after Ano Pigadi
- Of Leptocaria you can, with a little courage and a four-wheel drive vehicle and good ground clearance, drive up to the refuge of Ano Pigado at 1400 m altitude: first you take from the
Leptokarya down the street Karya and then turn into the little street Palaia Leptocaria from. Turn left before the church of Agia Triada (1 Junction), the gravel road gains only a little height and then leads 3.4 km along the foot of the Olympus massif. From the place where the 2 rise beginning, "shortcuts" lead to the day after Leptokaria, but their quality is even worse than that of the described approach.
- At the rise the entrance to the Ano Pigadi mountain hut is signposted again, from there on the gravel road winds in wide serpentines of 300 m above sea level. to the refuge at 1400 m above sea level up, partly it is easy to drive, in the area of transverse rock ribs and crossings of streams it is only possible to continue with care and at walking pace. After what feels like an endless stretch of 14 km you come to one 3 Junction.
- Here you keep to the left (the junction is in the form of a hairpin, do not go straight on) and after another 3 km you get to 1 Ano Pigadi Refuge of the ΣΕΟ Λεπτοκαρυά, the mountain club of Leptokaria, parking lot behind the house. The refuge is not managed and only accessible for overnight stays after consultation with the owner, but you can get to safety under the roof of the terrace from a downpour.
Ano Pigadi - Arvaniti Rachi - Agios Antonios / Skolio summit
- The gravel road is crossed right behind the house and the with red dots marked footpath leads to the 1 Edge of the forest along upwards. Mostly it leads upwards along the ridge, in late spring there is fantastic vegetation with orchids and various mountain plants in the sparse pine forest.
- After a while a forest clearing opens, which is passed, at the end of the hollow the path turns to the northwest and climbs steeply between the pines following the ridge line until you get to the ridge from 2 Arvaniti Rachi reached. (Ascent approx. 4 hours)
- On the ridge, with a little loss of altitude, we continue in a westerly direction, after the saddle of 3 Dragasia the path to the saddle rises from 4 Loutsa up.
- From here the path leads to the northwest, circling the summit of Agios Antonios and you come to another 5 saddle. To the south you can reach the summit of the 6 Agios Antonios (2817 m), which was probably already climbed in antiquity, or head north towards the summit 7 Scolio and 8 scale (2866 m) move.
Access via Karia
Karia (Καρυα) - Agios Antonios - Skolio - Skala (path O2)
- one possibility to reach the massif from the south arises from the place 1 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 circles 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).
Access via Olympiada
Vrisopoules - Agios Antonios - Skolio - (Skala)
- via the access to the ski lift from 4 Vrisopoules(Βρυσοπουλες) can be climbed 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 the 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).
Access via Kokkinopilos
Kokkinopilos - Skolio - scale
- the marked hiking trail begins in the west E4 in the village 2 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 refuge 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).
activities
- hike and climbing, the gravel slopes can also be ridden by mountain bike
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.
kitchen
- in Leptocaria and Litochoro you can eat in numerous taverns.
accommodation
Hotels and hostels
- The Ano Pigadi refuge is not managed and only after consultation with the mountain club of Leptocaria open for overnight.
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
- 1 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.
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 starting 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
- Walks on the North flank of the Olympus massif
- Walks across the East access into the Olympus massif (via Litochoro)
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 website, useful for preparing your trip
literature
- Hiking map Topo25, 1:25 000, ΟΛΥΜΠΟΣ / Mt. Olympus, Anavasi, www.anavasi.gr, approx. € 5.00
