The refuges of Mt Olympus

Spilios Agapitos refuge
via Prionia

The main access of the Spilios Agapitos refuge is via Prionia. The trail is part of the E4 Trail and is undoubtedly the most popular route on Mt Olympus. This particular path was the major mule track of Eastern Olympus and maintains the good configuration, with gentle slopes and open maneuvers. Today, its viability has been improved with numerous interventions and there is a relatively dense waymarking, with E4 signs and other symbols, as well as by all the necessary direction signposts.

Mountaineers intending to climb up to the Spilios Agapitos refuge, arrive by car or taxi (~ 30 euros) in Prionia, an old settlement of carpenters who worked on the water saws powered by the springs of Enipeas - hence the place name, "prionia" means the saws. Today Prionia is the most advanced location on Eastern Olympus where a vehicle can go (17.5 km from the center of Litochoro) and is a real hikers station.

In Prionia you will find a year-round refreshment shop and restaurant, free car parking, public toilets and a fountain. Several signposts and announcement posts - among them a large post with a hiking map of Mt Olympus - give information about the trails, taxis, emergency telephones, etc.

The route starts with a short paved section. Pass the springs of Enipeas via a solid wooden bridge and ascend smoothly in a shady forest of Black pines and beeches to Pigadouli (distance 1.9 km, 0h45-1h, wooden kiosk, fountain - sometimes does not work). Shortly after the kiosk we meet the branch to Mavrologos and Livadaki. The next section up to Magalias (also 1.9 km, 0h45-1h) is a steady uphill path in a Black pine forest. In Magalias, left to your right hand the fork to Gomarostalos and Petrostrouga, well marked, and continue forward. Just after Magalias, climb an open dry ravine and enter the last series of maneuvers (length 1.9 km, 0h45-1h) that will end to the refuge. About half of the length of this section is in a relatively open field, where the relevant precautions for sunlight should be taken. The length of the trail is 5.65 km. The division of the total time span of 2h30-3h into three equal sections helps the hiker, often loaded with enough equipment, to regulate its pace: with one stop at the kiosk (Pigadouli) and a second in the stream (Magalias), one can arrive at the shelter with enough forces for the further organization of his stay (arrangements, setting up a tent) or the continuation towards the Muses Plateau or the peaks.

Text and photos by Triantafyllos Adamakopoulos