A Thessaloniki hiking tour takes you onto the Ice-Makers Trail on Mount Chortiatis above the city or into the Enipeas gorge on Mount Olympus. For more active days out, browse Greece Tours.
This page sets out the hikes you can book, the trails, the effort, the season and the kit to pack.
What is a Thessaloniki hiking tour?
A Thessaloniki hiking tour is a guided hike that you book from the city. The trail sits on a mountain near Thessaloniki or on Mount Olympus. A local guide leads the group along the trail and back again.
Thessaloniki ranks second among Greek cities and serves as the capital of Central Macedonia. It faces the Thermaic Gulf, in the far north-west of the Aegean.
A Thessaloniki hiking tour pairs a city break with time on a mountain trail. You stay in the city and walk with a guide who picks the path and sets the pace. You need no map skills and no local knowledge of the trails. The trails fall into three areas:
- Mount Chortiatis, east of the city, where the Ice-Makers Trail runs through the forest.
- The forest above the upper town, the closest of the three areas to the city centre.
- Mount Olympus, south-west of the city, the farthest of the three.
A guided hike also gives you the stories behind each path: the old ice trade on Chortiatis, the home of the gods on Olympus and the pine forest planted above the city.
Which Thessaloniki hiking tour can you book?
You can book four Thessaloniki hiking tour options on GetYourGuide. One is the Ice-Makers Trail on Mount Chortiatis. The other three go to Mount Olympus, and two of those are private day trips with pickup available.
- Thessaloniki: Hiking the Ice-Makers Trail is a guided tour listed at 1 hour. It is set in the forest of Mount Hortiatis, another spelling of Chortiatis. Its card calls it a journey through history.
- Thessaloniki private tour: Olympus gorge and Old Panteleimonas lasts 7 hours for a private group of up to 4, with pickup available. It covers the Enipeas Gorge, the traditional villages of Pieria, local life and local products.
- From Thessaloniki: Mount Olympus private hike is an 8-hour private day trip with pickup available.
- Olympus highlights hike is a guided small-group hike of 4 hours that starts in Litochoro.
Viator lists two more Olympus trips: Mount Olympus Hiking Experience and 2-Day Olympus mt Greece Hiking Tour.
Choose a Thessaloniki hiking tour by the time you have. Among the four cards, the Ice-Makers Trail is the only one near the city. It fits into half a day, so your evening stays free. A full day suits the two private Olympus trips.
Group size is the second choice for a Thessaloniki hiking tour. The private tours keep the day to your own party. The small-group hike puts you on the trail with other travellers.
Where does the Ice-Makers Trail Thessaloniki hiking tour go?
The Ice-Makers Trail Thessaloniki hiking tour goes into the forest of Mount Chortiatis, also spelled Hortiatis, southeast of the city. The guided walk follows the old path of the ice-makers, locals who supplied Thessaloniki with natural ice before home fridges.
In ancient times the mountain was called Cissus, or Kissos. Homer names Cisseus as king of the town here. The mountain rises to 1,201 metres, and woods cover its slopes. Remains of a Byzantine fort survive on the summit. The village of Chortiatis sits at 600 metres and belongs to the Pylaia-Chortiatis municipality.
The mountain has fed the city with water for centuries. In late Byzantine times, the Chortaites monastery on its northern slopes sent fresh water to Thessaloniki through an aqueduct. Parts of that aqueduct survive today.
The trail takes its name from a lost trade. For decades, Chortiatis was the natural ice-house of Thessaloniki. In winter, locals dug simple basins in the soil on the north side of the mountain. They filled the basins with clean water and let it freeze. The ice was then kept in cone-shaped stores sunk into the ground.
In summer, the ice-makers loaded blocks of ice onto carts and horses and took them down to the city. Wealthy families and shops bought the ice. The trade ended when electricity and home fridges reached Thessaloniki.
Today the Thessaloniki hiking tour follows this route, a cobbled path built during World War I. Hikers on the path also see the old water tanks and springs that once fed Chortiatis and the city. Back in town, our things to do in Thessaloniki page lists the city sights.
What happens on the Ice-Makers Trail Thessaloniki hiking tour?
On the Ice-Makers Trail Thessaloniki hiking tour, a guide leads you through the forest of Mount Hortiatis for one hour. The GetYourGuide card frames the walk as a journey through history, and the guide speaks Greek or English.
Here is the Thessaloniki hiking tour step by step, as the card lists it:
- Go to the start in Chortiatis village, where the card places its map pin.
- Meet your guide. One booking covers up to 10 hikers.
- Walk the ice-makers’ trail under the trees and hear its history on the way.
- Stop by the old water tanks and springs along the path.
The card lists no hotel pickup and no transfer from the city centre. Plan your own way up to Chortiatis village and join the Thessaloniki hiking tour at the pin.
The card names the activity “Thessaloniki: Hiking the Ice Makers’ Trail” and files it as a guided tour. It gives no route distance, so ask about the length of the Thessaloniki hiking tour when you book.
Can a Thessaloniki hiking tour climb Mount Olympus?
Yes, a Thessaloniki hiking tour can reach Mount Olympus in one day. The three bookable hikes run 4 to 8 hours and follow the Enipeas gorge near Litochoro. None of them lists the Mytikas summit as its goal.
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece. Its top peak, Mytikas, rises to 2,918 m. The massif was the first national park in Greece and is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. A Thessaloniki hiking tour drives about 100 km to Litochoro, the usual base town in the eastern foothills.
In Greek myth, Olympus is the home of the gods. The massif has 52 peaks and deep gorges. Its Mavrologos-Enipeas ravine runs 14 km. The Enipeas river rises at Prionia and flows down past Litochoro to the Aegean Sea.
The GetYourGuide cards show three formats for this Thessaloniki hiking tour:
- Private Mount Olympus hike with transfers: 8 hours for a private group, with pickup available. You walk the forested Enipeas River trail to the Enipeas Waterfall and the Cave of Saint Dionysius.
- Highlights hike to Enipeas Waterfalls: 4 hours in a small group with a guide. It starts in Litochoro and leads to the Enipeas waterfalls.
- Private Olympus, gorge and Old Panteleimonas: 7 hours for a private group, with pickup available. It adds the Enipeas gorge, the traditional village of Old Panteleimonas and local products of Pieria.
Our Mount Olympus hike page covers the mountain trails in depth. For the drive and the stops on the way, read the Mount Olympus day trip from Thessaloniki.
Which forest trails lie close to a Thessaloniki hiking tour?
The Seich Sou forest is the nearest woodland for a Thessaloniki hiking tour. This pine forest rises just north and northeast of the city, west of Mount Chortiatis. It holds hiking and biking trails plus two lookout points over Thessaloniki.
The forest is also known as Kedrinos Lofos, or Cedar Hill. Its Turkish name, Seich Sou, means the Sheikh’s Water, after a spring near a mausoleum in the forest. It covers 2,979 hectares and reaches 563 m.
Pine trees lead its 277 plant species, with cypress and plane trees among them. Foresters from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki planted nearly 5 million trees here over six decades. Hares, foxes and squirrels live in the forest, and around 80 types of birds visit it.
Besides the trails, the forest holds the city zoo and a natural history museum. Two open-air theatres face the city: the Forest Theatre and the Earth Theatre.
A self-guided Thessaloniki hiking tour can start in Ano Poli, the old upper town. The walk climbs past the old city walls and the Eptapyrgio fortress toward the forest edge. On clear days, Mount Olympus shows on the horizon across the gulf. The forest edge sits a short climb above the Eptapyrgio, so a self-guided walk there fits a free morning between booked hikes.
How hard is a Thessaloniki hiking tour?
A Thessaloniki hiking tour runs from a 1-hour guided walk on Mount Chortiatis to an 8-hour private day on Olympus. The cards list hours and group type, not a difficulty grade, so the hours are the clearest sign of effort.
Effort grows with the hours. The short Ice-Makers walk in the forest above the city needs only basic fitness. The Olympus hikes follow longer forest paths along the Enipeas river, so they suit walkers who stay on their feet for nearly a full day.
None of the four cards states a distance, an elevation gain or a “not suitable for” list. Ask the operator for these details before you book a Thessaloniki hiking tour. This matters above all if you have knee, heart or breathing problems.
Four simple habits make any uphill or downhill stretch easier:
- Take short steps on uphill sections.
- Use trekking poles on steep descents.
- Keep a steady pace that lets you talk.
- Rest in the shade, not in open sun.
Tell the guide about any allergy, such as bee stings, before you set off. Mention old injuries too, so the guide can suggest a shorter loop or more rest stops.
Is a Thessaloniki hiking tour safe?
A Thessaloniki hiking tour stays safe when you follow the guide, carry water and respect the weather. The Ice-Makers Trail walk and the Olympus Highlights Hike are guided. On Olympus, the weather can change more than once in a day.
Hiking hazards include rough ground, bad weather, getting lost and existing health problems. Others are dehydration, sunburn, sunstroke and ankle sprains. On a summer Thessaloniki hiking tour, drink at every rest stop and speak up at once if you feel dizzy.
On Mount Olympus, summer rain falls mainly as evening thunderstorms, with hail and strong winds at times. Lightning is a threat on high ground. Rain or mist has a strong cooling effect, even when the air is not very cold. Springs above 2,000 metres are scarce, so carry your water from the start.
Fire is a particular danger in natural areas. Never light a fire or smoke on a Thessaloniki hiking tour, and carry all your litter back down.
Stay with the group and keep a charged phone for emergencies. A hiking custom gives the group moving uphill the right of way on steep trails. Above all, follow the guide’s call to turn back on a Thessaloniki hiking tour, even when the goal looks close.
When does a Thessaloniki hiking tour run?
A Thessaloniki hiking tour runs on fixed weekly days. The Ice-Makers Trail and Enipeas waterfalls hikes list dates from Monday to Friday. The private Mount Olympus hike lists dates in every month, on every day except Tuesday.
Weekend hikers need the private Olympus day, the only one of the three with Saturday and Sunday dates. The cards show no start time, so confirm the hour when you choose a date for your Thessaloniki hiking tour.
Thessaloniki has hot, fairly dry summers and cool winters with cold nights. July and August are the hottest months, with a 24-hour average near 28 °C in the city centre. Summer highs climb above 30 °C. January is the coldest month, at about 8 °C. Snow falls nearly every winter, but it melts within days. Check the forecast for snow on the Chortiatis road before you drive up in winter.
Spring and autumn sit between those extremes. At Aristotle University, average highs reach about 20 °C in April and 22 °C in October. That makes them the milder months for a Thessaloniki hiking tour in the forests above the city. The wettest month falls in late spring, with about 51 mm of rain.
Mount Olympus stays colder. Above 2,000 metres, snow covers the mountain through winter and into late spring. Check when to visit Thessaloniki before you lock in a Thessaloniki hiking tour on Olympus.
What do you bring on a Thessaloniki hiking tour?
Bring grippy hiking shoes, two litres of water, snacks, sun protection and layers on a Thessaloniki hiking tour. High ground on Mount Olympus is colder and windier than the city. Pack a rain shell and a warm layer for it.
Use this checklist for each Thessaloniki hiking tour day:
- Hiking shoes with good grip for loose stone and forest soil
- A small backpack that leaves both hands free
- Two litres of water per person
- Snacks such as nuts, fruit or a sandwich
- A hat and sun cream
- A light rain jacket or windproof layer
- A warm layer for higher ground
- A phone with a charged battery
Break in new shoes before the trip so they do not rub. Keep the warm layer and rain jacket at the top of the bag, where you reach them fast. On the Enipeas waterfalls hike, add spare socks in a plastic bag, since the path leads to running water. Pack a small first-aid kit with plasters for blisters.
Getting to the start of a Thessaloniki hiking tour depends on the hike. The private Mount Olympus hike lists pickup, and the trip leaves from Thessaloniki. That spares you the drive to the mountain.
The Enipeas waterfalls hike shows no pickup label. It starts in Litochoro, the town at the foot of Mount Olympus, so plan your own ride there.
What else pairs with a Thessaloniki hiking tour?
A Thessaloniki hiking tour pairs well with a rest day at the Loutra Pozar hot springs. Add a guided e-bike ride through the city, a kayak outing, or a day trip to ancient Dion below Mount Olympus.
Four GetYourGuide trips from the city keep the outdoor theme going after a Thessaloniki hiking tour:
- Pozar Springs trip with free time, 7 hours: natural pools, a local market and lunch.
- Guided e-bike ride through city neighbourhoods, 2.5 to 3 hours, small group.
- Pozar Thermal Baths and Edessa day trip, 10 hours: hot spring water and the Edessa waterfalls.
- Dion and Mount Olympus Park day trip, 10 hours: ancient Dion, a park trek and a swim at the Agia Kori stream.
Plan three outdoor days. Spend day one on a Thessaloniki hiking tour. Rest tired legs on day two with a Loutra Pozar day trip from Thessaloniki, where warm spring water fills natural pools. On day three, see the city on two wheels with a Thessaloniki e-bike tour. Keep a free day after the Olympus hike, so your legs recover before the next long trip.
The Pozar springs card takes bookings up to 50 minutes before departure, so you can pick the rest day that same morning. The e-bike card needs booking at least 10 hours ahead. For a day on the water, a Thessaloniki kayak tour swaps the bike for a paddle.
What do travellers ask about a Thessaloniki hiking tour?
Do you need experience for a Thessaloniki hiking tour?
The four GetYourGuide cards for a Thessaloniki hiking tour list no experience requirement. Length is the main difference between them, from a short trail walk near the city to a full day on Olympus. Check each card for fitness notes before booking, and pick the shorter trail for a first hike.
Can children join a Thessaloniki hiking tour?
The private Mount Olympus hike lists a child ticket for ages 17 and younger. Adults aged 18 to 99 book the adult ticket. The Ice-Makers Trail, Enipeas Waterfalls and Old Panteleimonas cards list one ticket type up to age 99 and state no minimum age. Check the card before booking for a child.
What happens to a Thessaloniki hiking tour in bad weather?
None of the four GetYourGuide cards states a bad-weather policy. They do not say whether a guide moves, shortens or calls off a hike in rain, snow or strong wind. Check the card before booking, and read the full activity details for the operator’s plan if rain is forecast for your date.
Can you cancel a Thessaloniki hiking tour?
Yes. All four GetYourGuide hiking cards show a free cancellation label. The cards do not show the refund deadline, so check the card before booking. Three of them, the Ice-Makers Trail, Enipeas Waterfalls and Old Panteleimonas trips, also need booking at least 10 hours ahead. The private Mount Olympus hike card lists no booking cut-off.