North Greece: a mountain paradise with astonishing beautiful villages and magnificent scenery
There is a lot more than the famous white and blue islands, to enjoy in Greece.
Become one of the happy few that are able to discover the hidden beauty of a diverse countryside in north of Greece. Explore important historic sites and the mythical home of the 12 ancient Greek gods. Discover the mountain paradise of Zagori, with authentic villages and spectacular scenery. Enjoy great food and the unique spirit of hospitality of the people.
This isn’t your typical island getaway, it’s the anti-classical adventure that just might become your most unforgettable classic tour!
We start our trip in Litochoro village, in the foothills of Mt. Olympus. Getting to Litochoro is faster via Thessaloniki (2 hours ride) or a longer drive (6 hours) via Athens.
Overnight in Litochoro.
Transfer to Prionia, from where we begin our hike, at an altitude of 1,100 metres. The route from Prionia to Spilios Agapitos Refuge is the most popular trail on Mount Olympus, part of the renowned E4 European long-distance path.
Prionia is the highest point accessible by car. The route leads us through a dense forest of pine, beech and fir trees, offering shade and serenity as we climb. The well-maintained path gradually ascends to 2,100 meters, where we reach the Spilios Agapitos Refuge, our cozy mountain shelter for the night.
Overnight in Spilios Agapitos or similar.
After an early wake-up and breakfast, we begin our climb, with two route options depending on participants’ fitness levels and weather conditions:
After reaching the summit, we descend along the same route to rejoin the main path. Crossing beneath the dramatic cliffs of Stefani — the “Throne of Zeus”, we emerge onto the breathtaking Plateau of the Muses. From there, we make our way back to Prionia via the Spilios Agapitos Refuge, and then transfer to Litochoro, where we spend the night.
Estimated hiking time: approx. 8- 9 hours.
Difficulty level: 4
Overnight in Litochoro.
Our day will be more relaxing exploring the villages of Olympus foothills. After our breakfast we continue to the winery of Kourtis family, in the village of Raches. Our hosts will guide us through the vineyards and the wine cellar, sharing insights into traditional winemaking. The visit concludes with a delightful meal featuring local products, paired with a tasting of the family’s wines.
Our journey then continues to Meteora, where we will spend the night. Meteora is one of Greece’s most extraordinary landscapes, renowned for its dramatic rocky pinnacles crowned by monasteries. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an unforgettable sight and a must-visit destination in Greece.
Overnight in Meteora.
This morning, we embark on a hike along trails known only to the locals, leading to Meteora’s iconic cliff-top monasteries. Our journey begins at St. Nicolas Monastery in Kastraki village, following the ancient paths once used by the monks as they navigated the towering rock formations.
We pass beneath the ruins of Pantocrator Monastery on the north side of Dupiani Rock and then wind through a lush forest to reach the abandoned and restored Monastery of Ypapanti and the ruins of St. Dimitrios. From there, the trail ascends, and a short climb brings us to the cliff-top monasteries of Varlaam and Great Meteoro, where we visit one of them.
Our descent to Kastraki follows the ancient monk’s path, passing the Cave of St. George Mandila, where climbers traditionally hang their scarves each year. Along the way, we enjoy amazing panoramic views from the rock summits while our professional mountain guides share insights into the rich history and geological significance of this extraordinary area.
After our rewarding walk, we will visit one of the famous monasteries before we depart to the region of Zagori and Pindos Aoos National Park.
Overnight Zagori (Monodendri or Vitsa).
This wonderful circular hike is an ideal way of exploring the hidden gems of Central Zagori!
Zagori is well known for its traditional network of footpaths, which were built to connect its 46 villages, until modern roads were opened. Starting from the village of Kipi, we will walk on several iconic and impressive stone bridges of the area, built in the 17th-18th century. During our hike, we will have the chance to visit Lazaridi’s museum, located in the picturesque village of Koukouli. The museum is housed at the house of its creator, Kostas Lazaridis, who with a lot of care gathered all the rare flora of Vikos gorge. In the museum, we will have the opportunity to discover rare plant collections that grow on the canyon’s rocks and to learn about the ‘Doctors of Vikos’. Then we will head towards Kipi village, following the very old stone path of Koukouli, also known as "Koukouli Steps". In Kipi, our beautiful hike will come to an end.
Overnight Zagori (Monodendri or Vitsa).
Enjoy a fascinating hike in one of the most beautiful gorges of Europe.
Vikos Gorge is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Greece. The gorge consists of limestone and dolomite formations, dating back to 150 million years ago and vertical walls extending up to a height of 1700 meters. The gorge is part of the 12,600 hectares Vikos-Aoos National Park and has been listed in the Guinness book of records as the deepest canyon worldwide in proportion to its width.
The hike starts from Monodendri village with a 45 minute descend until we reach the river bed. The trail is ascending and descending surrounded by steep mountain tops and dense forests of deciduous trees and 1800 plant species. Before ascending to Vikos village, we will visit Voidomati’s springs, Greece’s cleanest and coldest river, with an average all year temperature of 8,5°C. If you are brave you might want to try the experience of a very refreshing dive in the crystal clear waters during summer months! The hike finishes at Vikos village, after a 1-hour ascent from Voidomatis springs.
Overnight Zagori (Monodendri or Vitsa).
We end our discovery in Zagori with a relaxing rafting descent in the crystal clear waters of Voidomatis river, in the heart of the National Park of Vikos – Aoos.
Voidomatis River rises in Vikos gorge and follows an impressive waterway wreathed with age-long plane trees that border its bed and traditional stone bridges over the waters. Voidomatis River joins its crystal clear waters with those of Aoos River, in Konitsa’s plain.
Semi-Guided Mode:
Single supplement: 360€/person
*Fully Guided option available upon request.
This program is offered as a semi-guided experience, giving you the perfect blend of support and independent exploration. A fully guided version is also available upon request.
Semi Guided Mode:
Semi Guided Mode:
Price from €1750
DECLARE INTERESTMeeting Point: Trekking Hellas Mt.Olympus office, to see exact meeting point click here
