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The activity
The enchanting Enipea gorge is one of the most beautiful routes at the foot of Mount Olympus. Visitors have the opportunity, during the hike, to walk from the path that crosses the canyon parallel to its stream and enjoy an impressive natural landscape with steep slopes, ravines and ravines with dense vegetation and crystal clear waters, picturesque wooden bridges that join the opposite slopes of the gorge above the stream, swimming pools (pedestals) with turquoise waters and waterfalls.
The area
On the eastern slopes of Mount Olympus is one of the most famous gorges in Greece, the Enipea gorge. The gorge starts from Prionia at an altitude of 1100 meters and ends at the town of Litochoros, at the foot of Mount Olympus, at an altitude of 300 meters. The hiking trail that crosses the Enipea gorge is 9 kilometers long and is part of the international trail E4, which starts in the Pyrenees and ends in Crete.
The history
According to Greek mythology, Enipeus was the most beautiful of the river gods that Hera transformed into a river to avenge him for his love affair with the goddess Aphrodite.During the hike in the Enipea gorge, we will come across the old Monastery of Agios Dionysios founded in 1542. The founder of the Monastery is Agios Dionysios of Olympus who practiced in the area in a cave a little below the Monastery which is preserved to this day . The Monastery was a hiding place for Greek rebels during the 2nd World War and was blown up by the Nazis in 1943. Today, efforts are being made to restore the Monastery and reopen it.
Nature and People
The Enipea Gorge is located in the eastern foothills of Mount Olympus, where it has been declared a National Park since 1938. The wider area has a special value for its rare flora with 23 endemic plants but also many similar to the Alps and western Asia. It also has a rich fauna with many insects, rare birds and mammals. The area of Olympus is the refuge for many species of carnivorous and herbivorous mammals and birds of prey. 32 species of mammals and 108 species of birds have been recorded, while there are not a few species that are threatened with extinction by human activities and changing climatic conditions.
Itinerary
After the meeting in the square of Litochoro, we are transferred to the monastery of Agios Dionysios, which was founded in the 16th century and was a stronghold of revolutionaries in various periods of Greek history, where the route begins. Following the path, we come across the Holy Cave, where Saint Dionysios of Olympus practiced asceticism. The path follows the terrain without steep slopes with continuous changes of the landscape with rich vegetation, steep rocks and waterfalls with pools of blue-green water formed by the rushing waters of the stream. Our route follows one the left and one the right slope of the gorge, passing through wooden bridges over the stream. Then and towards the end of the route, we come across the most impressive waterfall of the route almost 10 meters high and the lake formed by its waters. The hike ends at Prionia, at an altitude of 1100m, where the car that will take us to Litochoro square is waiting for us.
Transfer: 19 km Transfer time: 30 min
Hiking Distance: 6 km Hiking Time: 3 hours
Ascent: 290 m Descent: 10 m
Min. Height: 800 m Max. Height: 1080m
Highlights:
- The old monastery of Agios Dionysios
- The Holy Cave, where Saint Dionysios of Olympus practiced asceticism
- The enchanting nature with the rich flora
- The morphology of the canyon with the waterfalls and pedestals
- The hut in Prionia
Μain square of Litochoro, at 9.00 am here
Participation fee (Private Tours):
- 2 persons 75 € per person
- 3-4 persons 55 € per person
- 5-8 persons 40 € per person
- 9 persons and more: please contact us to get an offer
Participation fee (Fixed Departure Tours):
- 40€ per person
- Experience Greek Αdventure local guide / animater (Greek or English speaking)
- Transfer from Litohoro to Prionia
- Light Snack (cereal bar, fruit, cookies, etc.)
- All taxes
- Public Liability Insurance
- Gratuities for local guides / animators (optional)
- That is not expressly stated above
- Physical and mental health
- Basic physical condition
- Filling out a participation document
- Pre-payment of participation
Suitable for ages: 08-70 years.
Please note that this itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the tour leader, according to local and weather conditions.
Total program duration: around 3 hours.
Suitable for ages: 08-70 years
What participants should have with them:
- Hiking shoes
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Daypack
- Waterproof-windproof jacket
- Snack (optional)
Additional services:
Transfer to the point where the activity starts at a cost of €10/person from the area of Platamonas, Leptokaryas, Litochoro. The cost of transportation from other points is determined by agreement.
Should I have water with me and how much?
During the activity we will not find drinking water (spring or tap). Although the stream water is crystal clear and drinkable, we recommend that each participant have their own 1 to 1.5 liters of water.
Do I have to have food with me?
Approximately in the middle of the route, there will be a stop where the attendant will offer us light snacks (cereal bar, fruit, cookies, etc.) that will give us the necessary energy until the end of the activity.
How is the ground in this activity?
The walk takes place on a well-trodden path with relatively small inclines, where with a little care there will be no problem.
What shoes are good to have?
The path is quite smooth so we recommend sports shoes or hiking boots.
What clothes should I have for the activity?
Depending on the period July – September, light summer clothes for hiking. In other seasons, comfortable warm clothes for hiking. In addition, you could have a light jacket (waterproof-windproof or fleece) for the places where we will rest.
Do I need to have any specific equipment for the activity?
Definitely don’t forget your hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle and daypack to carry all of the above.
