s-cape
phone: +34 985 846 455 / UK call free 0800 707 44 35
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am – 6:00pm (CET)
Naoussa vinyards
Facebook
Instagram
Youtube
Find your perfect trip!
 
 
Find your perfect trip!
Duration?
Northern Greece • Mt. Vermio & Mt. Olympos
style :
Level :
Duration :
8 days
Comfort :
period:
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Code:
GRSW021
Walking Drive & discover Trekking
price in double room from: € 295
Northern Greece • Mt. Vermio & Mt. Olympos

Northern Greece • Mt. Vermio & Mt. Olympos

Drive & Discover 'undiscovered' Greece

  • A unique and still “undiscovered” region
  • Walks in gorgeous mountainous areas and rural countryside
  • Historic site of Dion on the foot of Mt. Olympos
  • Wine-tasting and visit to a vineyard
  • Accommodation located in superb surroundings
read more >>
Map walking routes Mt. Vernio and Mt.Olympos
View map
ROUTE
Start: Naoussa                Finish: Ambelakia
Day 1: Arrival in Thessaloniki and travel to Naoussa
Day 2: Circular walk from Rodakinia and winery visit (9 km / 5,5 mi)
Day 3: Circular walk from Naoussa (10,5 km / 6,5 mi)
Day 4: From Naoussa to Rapsani (various distances)
Day 5: Walk from Rapsani to Krania (9 km / 5,5 mi)
Day 6: Circular walk from Rapsani (16 km / 10 mi)
Day 7: Walk along the Tempi Valley (12 km / 7,5 mi)
Day 8: Departure

Day 1:    Arrival in Thessaloniki and travel to Naoussa

After arrival at Thessaloniki airport you drive per rental car app. 2 hrs to Naousa and check in your hotel in the village Kopanos, a few km distance from Naoussa center in a rural area. In the evening we recommend you to go to the authentic and well maintained village Arkochori for a stroll and a dinner in a traditional Greek tavern where you might taste a good local wine ‘Damaskinos’.

Day 2:    Circular walk from Rodakinia and winery visit (9 km / 5,5 mi)

After breakfast you drive to the tiny village of Rodakinia, where you can have a coffee at the traditional Rakokazano near the winery. You then do an easy walk via farming tracks through peach orchards and vineyards in the Naoussa wine region to reach the well-established winery Kir Yianni. The owner Mr. Yianni, is a quirky man whose character is reflected in his fabulous wines. Nowadays he is the mayor of Thessaloniki and you will be guided around by Elpida and Charoula.
You’ll taste the excellent wines, along with some snacks. After the wine-tasting tour, it’s just a 1-hour stroll back to Rodakinia.

Challenge: 2,5 hours, 9 km / 5,5 mi, 200m ascent, 200m descent

Day 3:    Circular walk from Naoussa (10,5 km / 6,5 mi)

Today’s walk starts in Ag. Nikolaos, a lush green area 4 km from the centre of Naoussa. It is a huge park area next to the Arapitsa River with a waterfall and a nice wood with immense oak- and plane trees. After a coffee at a local café in this lush green park, you ascend through dense forest up to the church Prof. Ilias from where you have great views over the plains. Optionally you ascend even further until the Monastery Ypapantis. After a visit and a picnic you walk back to the church Prof. Ilias from where you descend via a different trail: a hefty descend through forest. In this section there live quite some wild pigs.

Challenge: 4 hours, 10,5 km / 6,5 mi, 600m ascent, 600m descent

Day 4:    From Naoussa to Rapsani (various distances)

You drive south today via the archaeological site at Dion, to reach your pension, ‘O Vassilis’ in Rapsani.
A long section along the shore offers views to Mt. Olympos, a mythical range with peaks rising to almost 3000 m. At the foot of Mt. Olympos you can visit the wonderful site of Ancient Dion, a huge archaeological park and a green oasis for a pleasant walk. Here you’ll explore the remains of a walled city from the 5th to 3rd century B.C. The city was established by the Macedonians and it was here that Alexander the Great offered sacrifices at the Olympian sanctuary of Zeus. There are well-preserved remains of public baths, churches, palaces, a cemetery, temples, a stadium and 2 amphitheatres. Afterwards, there’ll be time for lunch at a simple tavern nearby. Then you drive further south to the pretty village of Rapsani to enjoy an evening stroll in this picturesque setting. Sample local dishes at the tavern on the village square, accompanied by a good Rapsani wine. 

Challenge: walk over Dion archaeological park 

Day 5:    Walk from Rapsani to Krania (9 km / 5,5 mi)

Today’s walk starts directly from Rapsani and takes you to the village Kraniá. It’s a lovely, relaxing route on rural tracks through mountainous terrain and you’ll be treated to views of the Aegean Sea. Your walk ends in the tiny village Krania.
A taxi-on-call from Rapsani will take you back to your hotel (taxi not included). Time permitting, you can visit the welcoming and informative wine museum in Rapsani this afternoon or tomorrow morning. 

Challenge: 3 hours, 9,2 km / 5,5 mi, 580m ascent, 300m descent

Day 6:    Circular walk from Rapsani (16 km / 10 mi)

For today you have a long walk, though not too demanding. Starting once again from the village square in Rapsani, you descend via footpaths and dirt tracks to the lush banks of the River ‘Xiropotamos’ and cross it via an ancient stone bridge.
Then you continue your descent, parallel to the river, to reach the unique Monastery of Agioi Theodoroi, a perfect place for a break. You then follow woodland paths along the riverbed, crossing it now and again. At the end of the track, you pick up a dirt track, now in ascent, passing several vineyards. You pass the Nunnery at Moni Sotiros, where you may be offered the traditional ‘loukoumi’. The last section follows a quiet country lane back to Rapsani. 

Challenge: 4,5 hours, 16,5 km / 10 mi, 500m ascent, 500m descent

Day 7:    Walk along the Tempi Valley (12 km / 7,5 mi)

You start off with a drive to the village of ‘Tempi’, situated on the Pinios River. You park your car near Tempi at the Dougos Winery.
A pre-arranged transfer takes you to the starting point for your walk, near a historic iron bridge over the Pinios River. From there you walk parallel to the river, and high above it, mostly on the flat with the occasional section in gradual ascent. There are some terrific spots for a picnic lunch. As you start your descent down toward the River Pinios, you come to the Dougos Family vineyards.
Your walk ends here, at their winery, where you pick up your car and drive to the nearby village of Ampelakia

Challenge: 4 hours, 12 km / 7,5 mi, 625m ascent, 620m descent

Day 8:    Departure

Drive to Thessaloniki airport and drop off your rental car.
Departure from Greece.

STANDARD HOTELS

All hotels of this trip are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite.
Below you find the standard hotels of this trip. If a hotel is fully booked, we book a similar alternative for you and inform you about the alternative booked. 

Extra overnight: You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodations along the way. We can also book a hotel in Thessaloniki city for you before and/or after the trip.

Villa Anthemia
Villa Anthemia (Naoussa)

The Villa Anthemia consists of 3 buildings located in lush green landscape with views of Mt. Vermion. All rooms have wooden ceilings and offer all modern amenities. There is a common BBQ area in the garden and a pleasant swimming pool.

www.villaanthemia.gr

Pension O Vassilis Rapasani
Pension O Vassilis (Rapsani)

On the south slopes of Mt. Olympos you find the pension 'O Vassilis' in the village Rapsani, known for its fabulous wines. 
The pension has 8 rooms with simple furniture and A/C. There is kitchen on the corridor for common use. Breakfast will be prepared by the owner for you and you can take your breakfast to your room. 

www.rapsanihotel.gr

<a href='https://www.touristorama.com/en/ennea-mouses'><img src='https://www.touristorama.com/assets/images/customers/ennea-mouses-larissa/02.jpg
Ennea Mouses (Ambelakia)

Hotel is situated a few meters away from the central square of Ambelakia village and promises a quiet and relaxing stay all year round.

The complex consists of 10 rooms in total. It is recently renovated and among the facilities offered, are the wi-fi, the sitting room where the breakfast is served and an area where visitors can relax with a coffee.

www.touristorama.com/en/ennea-mouses

Photo Copyright ©:Touristorama.com

 

PRACTICAL INFO

This tour can be booked any day of the week from April 1st to December 18th.

The best period to travel is from September 15th to October 10th. In July/ august it is hot, though still doable if you can cope with temperatures around 30º C.

Bookings in the period 01/01-31/03 and 19/12-31/12 are possible UPON REQUEST. 

The nearest airport to this part of the mainland of Greece is Thessaloniki. 

It is possible to do this trip by public transport or by rental car. If you opt for public transport, we recommend you to book one extra overnight at all three locations of this tour because of the time that is involved in traveling by public transport in Greece. 

Car rental can be booked with S-cape Travel in advance

We can send you GPS tracks of this trip upon request and after booking.

INCLUDED

 Included

  • 7 nights accommodation with breakfast
  • One winery visit including finger food and tasting of 3 different wines in Kir Yianni
  • Transfer Tempi- starting point of the walk near RR Rapsani on day 7
  • Digital detailed route notes and maps in English
  • Access to the trip on our navigation app
  • 24-hour telephone assistance

No included

  • Car rental
  • Flights and public transportation
  • Dinners and lunches
  • Travel insurance
  • Tourist tax
  • Admission and entrance fess of any kind
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, etc
  • Any items that have not been specifically mentioned in the program

Optional services (to be booked in advance)

  • Car rental
  • Additional nights at any of the standard accommodations, In Thessaloniki or any other destination in Greece
  • Shipment of trip docs to your home address
REVIEWS

S-Cape Travel uses cookies to manage the website, to show you personalized content and to manage business goals. Below you can find more information on how we use cookies. You can accept all cookies, select them individually or reject them all. To learn more about our cookie policy, you can visit the dedicated page at any time.

extraSmallDevice
smallDevice
mediumDevice
largeDevice