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When I realized that I was going to Greece, my first thought was to find the tallest mountain that I could. Olympus has three separate peaks. Mytikas is the highest, but requires a scramble to get to. If you are planning to do the hike in a single day, you will need to either drive or take a taxi from Litochoro to Prionia that morning. The taxi costs 30 Euro and cuts off about four hours of uphill hiking. If you have questions about getting to Litochoro, you can check out my post on Litochoro. I chose to get a taxi up to Prionia shortly after breakfast at the hotel. Even on my longest hiking days, I will choose to have breakfast and drink my coffee rather than rush to start hiking. I never started hiking before nine on Massiv, including days I did twenty-five plus miles. After fueling up with homemade yogurt and jam, and drawing some important moral support from the resident cat, I took a taxi up to Prionia. Prionia is actually only at 1, meters. From here, I took the E4 trail up to the refuge and then further up to the summit. The first two miles of the hike are pleasant, going through a forest up towards the refuge. The trail runs next to a waterfall at the beginning. As I got about a mile away from the refuge, the surrounding mountains started to peek out yes that pun was intended from behind the trees. The path was still easy to find and follow, and I found myself making pretty good time. I reached the refuge after just under two hours of hiking. There were already people sitting out around the refuge, either people who had summitted Olympus very early and were coming back, or who had come up the night before and were heading off in another direction. From here, the standard trail guides tell you that it will be at least hours to one of the summits of Olympus. Things are about to get steep. I left the refuge and started the slow climb uphill. I passed a woman hiking with her dog about half a mile from the summit. At least I thought it was her dog - but she stopped and asked me if I knew why there were dogs. They were all friendly, so we decided they had to be rescue dogs who generally accompanied tourists. Made sense. Then I hit the hard part. The last half mile up to the Skala summit was the most brutal. I caught myself counting my steps and promising to give myself a break after every. I was straight up not having a good time. I had been holding myself to going about two miles an hour before, and now my pace dropped closer to a mile an hour. I eventually reached the Skala summit. Unfortunately, because I went in late May, there were still tons of snowfields left on the mountain. After growing up with a healthy fear respect of snowfields, I decided to stop at the Skala summit and not go over to Mytikas, technically the highest peak. I stopped for a quick lunch and then some views. I managed to get a few views before the clouds moved back in:. After a hundred feet of downhill hiking, I started to fantasize about my hiking poles. They were snuggled up in a corner of my closet back at home, and as I skidded and thumped down the mountain, I mentally kicked myself for not thinking of it. The load on your knees going downhill can be eight times your bodyweight, and I was feeling it. As I continued to slowly, painstakingly descend, the clouds moved in and socked me in. This part of the hike was less fun. I made it back to the refuge after two rough miles. I stopped to get a cup of coffee and to say hi to the dogs. They often climbed up the trail with groups of hikers they thought were likely to give them snacks. That was especially heartbreaking when you realized how skinny many of the dogs were, and they were climbing a thousand meters every day to try to get snacks. If I go back, I will bring kibble. I paused to have a cappuccino here and enjoy the view. Unfortunately, I also knew that I was going to have to get down to Prionia by five or six to have the option to take a taxi back to Litochoro from there. So I started off on my journey back down the mountain. Once I dropped below the tree line, the fog cleared, and I was able to catch a few views of the mountains across from me. Unfortunately, the steep downhill at the beginning had taken a toll on my knee. As I slowly hobbled the mountain again, I very much missed my poles, snuggled up in the gear closet at home , I stopped and appreciated the waterfalls. There are some people who drive up to Litochoro and go for short walks just to see the waterfalls. I finally reached Prionia. It was only pm, and I debated whether I should continue the hike down:. How about no? If you do this hike, absolutely take poles. Not having poles with me was one of my biggest hiking failures to date - I strained my knee pretty badly and had to do a short hike the next day. My hiking pants were almost beige with dust. Then I treated myself to dinner at one of the local restaurants, then sat in the local park and looked out over the mountain that I had conquered that day. The last couple miles are brutal. Otherwise, the hike is doable with standard hiking gear. You can bring your own sleep liner or rent one at the refuge if you choose to split the hike over multiple days. I had spectacular views from the refuge and lower, but limited views from the top. Mount Olympus. Jun 7 Written By Sarah Rowe. My Hike I chose to get a taxi up to Prionia shortly after breakfast at the hotel. And they did. No, seriously. Bring poles. And make sure to keep an eye out for Zeus! Greece Hiking notes. Sarah Rowe.

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Buy snow Litochoro

Last updated on January 25, by the Explore-Share team. Dimitri recently returned from a ski touring adventure in Greece that he booked through Explore-Share, sharing his experience with us. He enjoyed this adventure in February With my Greek heritage, this land has always held a special place in my heart. It was my paternal grandfather, who arrived in Belgium before the war, who Frenchified our family name to 'Papageorges' from 'Papageorgiou' to aid in his integration. Despite visiting Greece multiple times during my childhood, my father never had the opportunity to fully impart Greek values and culture to us. At over 50 years old, I began to explore this wonderful destination, and I have been a regular visitor for several years. But, I never would have imagined that one day I would be skiing there! I've been ski touring for several years, and I meet up once a year with my friend Roland, a mountain guide in Saint-Gervais. On one occasion, he mentioned ski touring expeditions in Greece , which are organized at the start of February by some of his colleagues. Greece's geographical proximity to the sea makes it a favorable environment for snowfall. The moment we discussed it, I was solely fixated on one idea: skiing to the summit of the renowned Mount Olympus, the highest peak in Greece. We began making plans for the upcoming winter, but ultimately, Roland had to withdraw from the project. That's when I turned to Explore-Share , a Belgian startup founded by my friend Gauthier Poncelet, which provides mountaineering and ski touring experiences. It was great to see Greece being spotlighted on their platform. What better way to explore this country than with a local guide? In January , my project finally started taking shape. During our first contact, Babis informed me that there had been heavy snowfall in the region. He lives in the small village of Litochoro, located at the base of Mount Olympus. Babis divides his time between Greece and Chamonix, where he guides various groups in winter on the Haute Route between Zermatt and Chamonix, and in summer around Mont-Blanc. We arranged for my visit in mid-February. Babis assured me that under normal conditions, skiing in Greece is possible until the end of April, depending on the weather. However, a week prior to my departure, the weather turned warmer, not only in Belgium but also in Greece. This city, situated in the northern part of the country, is the second largest in Greece after Athens. As I land there, childhood memories come flooding back to me. We used to pass through this city regularly to reach the small village of Nea Kalikratia where we would stay with my parents. I also experience a peculiar sensation: I am in Greece, waiting for my luggage and skis at the airport. Fortunately, it seems that I am not the only skier; the conveyor belt is filled with several ski bags. In the arrival hall, Babis greets me, dressed in jeans and a shirt with rolled-up sleeves. It's warm and pleasant, considering we are about to embark on four days of skiing. It's quite remarkable! Our journey from the airport to Litochoro provides the perfect opportunity for Babis and me to get to know each other. Babis laughs and tells me I'm crazy for wanting to ski in Greece, especially by myself. I explain to him that for me, it's a return to my roots, and after hesitating for a long time whether to come with someone, I ultimately decided to embark on this experience alone. Babis had arranged a room for me with a local resident. After settling in, I take a stroll through the village and marvel at Mount Olympus, my ambitious destination, looming so close with parts of its summit adorned with snow. Situated by the sea, Litochoro is at the foot of Mount Olympus, whose highest peak reaches and astonishing 2, meters. In the evening, Babis and I meet to discuss the plan for the next few days. He proposes that we dive straight into the action by attempting to conquer Mount Olympus the following morning, and then explore the possibility of skiing further north, near the border with Albania. At six am, Babis comes pick me up along with my skis and all the necessary equipment. We make a brief stop at the bakery to stock up on provisions and grab some coffee, then we hit the road, circumnavigating Mount Olympus while steadily ascending. The road is not in the best condition, but thankfully there is very little traffic. Finally, we arrive at a small parking lot in front of a military camp at an altitude of 1, meters. Another vehicle arrives, carrying a German guide and two of his clients. To access Mount Olympus, it is best to pass through this military camp, where around thirty soldiers undergo winter training for several months. Being a native of the country, Babis seems to have connections with everyone. We breeze through in just five minutes, while the three Germans have to present their documents and come out 15 minutes later. We walk for ten minutes, carrying our skis, and a sense of thrill washes over me. Eventually, we pause to put on our skins and continue the ascent on skis. For several minutes, we ski alongside several rows of stationary chairlifts, which are designated for military training, inaccessible for us civilians. As the day unfolds, the sun makes is showing its nose and the wind begins to pick up - the mountain is sublime. We move at a steady pace and reach the summit in under two hours. It's a dream I've been cherishing for several years, and on this Monday morning, I stand atop the second highest peak of this massif — Skolio, towering at 2, meters — as the first, slightly higher peak is simply inaccessible on skis. We spend the rest of the day in a series of ascents and descents to savor the varied experiences. The snow, though crusty, still was a lot of fun to ski on. The landscapes are breathtaking, with the Aegean Sea just fifteen kilometers away. On our return journey, we pass by a small emergency shelter, the only one still open in this massif, which Babis occasionally uses. It's basic in its amenities bunk beds, a table, and two chairs , yet it exudes a certain charm with a large Greek flag adorning one of the walls. We sit on a beautiful terrace, still in our ski attire, and enjoy a glass of fine white wine and some olives, all the while listening to the soothing sound of the waves. Truly surreal! I have only been in Greece for 24 hours and my dream has already come true. Fortunately, Babis has more in store, as skiing in Greece extends far beyond Mount Olympus. For enthusiasts, there are around twenty ski resorts scattered across the country. Just two hours from Athens, Parnassos 2, meters stands out as a premier winter destination. Open from December to May, it is arguably the best equipped site, with 13 ski lifts and 19 ski slopes, primarily of blue and red difficulty levels. This complex features 13 slopes, including two black runs, along with designated areas for snowboarding. At the summit of the estate, the view is nothing short of spectacular, extending all the way to the Gulf of Corinth. The village is also known for its tourist train, which traverses the mountainous terrain to connect with the seaside town of Diakofto through the Vouraikos gorge. It's worth noting that skiing in Crete has also experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. The Psiloritis massif, the birthplace of Zeus, located in the center of the island, and the White Mountains to the west, reach altitudes exceeding 2, meters and remain snow-covered for several months of the year. Snowfall can even occur at altitudes as low as meters, and skiers can feast on the transformed snow. Back to our adventure. After a night's rest, we set off at dawn towards Mount Ossa — also known as Kissavos — facing Mount Olympus. Despite its peak reaching only 1, meters, it offers one of the most stunning panoramas overlooking the Aegean Sea, according to Babis. We climb meters and the view is breathtaking. To the left, Mount Olympus, everywhere else, the infinite blue of the sea. Babis spots a magnificent corridor, and just for the joy of it, we ski down it twice. Following a lunch break by the roadside, we head towards the Pindus massif, located even farther north, near the Albanian border. We drive for four hours and pass by Meteora, a collection of remarkable geological formations in Thessaly, within the Peneus valley, home to Orthodox Christian monasteries. Babis takes the time to point out the numerous climbing routes within these steep, vertical cliffs, which he regularly ascends. As a professional guide, climbing — much like skiing — is one of the disciplines in which he excels. We arrive in the small village of Samarina, where we will be lodging for two nights in a cozy guest house. O We dine in a small typical restaurant, tasting squid, Greek salad, tarama and other lamb skewers A thousand miles from the traditional cuisine of the Alps and this is, among other things, what makes Greece so charming: a cuisine Mediterranean with a thousand flavors. The next morning, we venture into the forest and emerge to conquer a magnificent summit after over two hours of climbing. The sun is shining and the mountains stretch as far as the eye can see. After a brief break at the summit, we descend to the other side, zigzagging between the trees. Despite the crusty snow, we make the most of the conditions, feeling invigorated as we engage in several climbs and descents throughout the day, accumulating a total elevation gain of nearly 2, meters. Thursday morning arrives all too quickly, marking our final day of skiing. We drive to Vasilitsa station, which offers the longest beginner's track in the country. The resort also has Greece's first snowpark, making it a popular destination for snowboarding enthusiasts. The views are spectacular, especially of Mount Olympus. After a new ascent, we ski in a valley which takes us back to the station, where we take a series of ski lifts, the first and last of the stay. Sure, it's much smaller than the resorts we're used to in the Alps, but it's nice and quite exotic. The installations are not the most recent, but they work perfectly, to the delight of local skiers. At the bottom of a slope we find a restaurant with a superb terrace and an ice bar. A group of young snowboarders party to the sound of techno music. We have a drink with Babis and one of his friends, a tracker from the estate. He is proud of it and quickly shows us around before returning. I thank Babis for accompanying me during these four days and for introducing me to a new side of this country that I appreciate more and more. As long as there is snow, ski touring has a bright future in Greece. I'll be back! Our knowledgeable team is here to assist you at any moment throughout your adventure. From EUR Ski Touring in Greece? The Tale of an Unforgettable Adventure! January 25, Last updated on January 25, by the Explore-Share team. A Dream Come true At six am, Babis comes pick me up along with my skis and all the necessary equipment. Over 20 Ski Resorts to Explore! Squid and Tarama We arrive in the small village of Samarina, where we will be lodging for two nights in a cozy guest house. Upon returning to Samarina, we devour everything the restaurant has to offer. 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