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Day 1: (Saturday): Arrival at Olympic Riviera.
After arrival at Thessaloniki Airport you’ll make your way to your hotel at the Olympic Riviera. There you will meet your bike guides who will give you a first introduction and information about the cycling holiday.
Day 2: (Sunday): Olympic Riviera to Ambelakia, 21 miles (33km).
On the first day of this tour, you’ll start off in the morning from your hotel at Olympic Riviera, and cross the Ossa Mountains from east to west. Your route initially takes you up a very exciting forest track, overlooking the incredible Pinios River Delta. You’ll cross streams and go around natural obstacles up to a small plateau at a height of 870m. From there you’ll start descending into the Valley of Tembi. The descent takes you on a pleasant hilly road with fantastic views into the Tembi Valley, until you reach Ambelakia Village and tonight’s guesthouse.
Biking time: 4–5 hrs
Total Time: 6-7 hrs
Ascent: 834m Descent: 469m
Day 3: (Monday): Ambelakia to Rapsani, 30 miles (48km).
Leaving the traditional guesthouse in Ambelakia in the morning, you’ll cross over from Ossa to the Kato Olympus (Lower Olympus) mountains. The descent into the valley and the village of Tembi is thrilling early morning ride! After you cross the Pinios River, you’ll start the long ascent towards the south, overlooking the entire Thessalia Plain. The view is simply breathtaking! Heading east, into sheep country, you’ll find shepherds and their flocks and you’ll continue along on the trails that they have formed here over the years. After you reach the big fertile plateau where the lake of Kallipefki used to be, you’ll descend to the beautiful village of Rapsani, where you’ll spend the night.
Biking time: 5-6 hrs
Total Time: 7-8 hrs
Ascent: 1263m Descent: 1056m
Day 4: (Tuesday): Rapsani to Sikaminea, 23 miles (37km).
Your third day of your cycling will take you through the vineyards of Rapsani and up the mountain to the village of Kranya. After taking a rest in the village square you’ll follow the trail along the foothills of the Lower Olympus Mountains and through a picturesque valley, to the plateau of Kallipefki (1100m). Your final destination of today, the village of Sikaminea, an authentic mountain village, lies in the next valley, directly beneath the highest peaks of the area. You’ll follow an old shepherd’s trail to cross the mountain ridge between the plateau and the valley. You’ll spend the night in Sikaminea.
Biking time: 4–5 hrs
Total Time: 6-7 hrs
Ascent: 820m Descent: 550m
Day 5: (Wednesday): Sikaminea to Agios Dimitrios, 25 miles (40km).
Today you’ll be biking in the rolling terrain of the west side of Mount Olympus. The area is virtually untouched and bikers will enjoy the wide views and magnificent colours of the area. From your lodge in Sikaminea you’ll first ride through the hills to the monastery of Sparmous, one of the biggest and most interesting in Greece. Your track leads you through the valley, then to the village of Olympiada and finally onwards, crossing the high plain to Kalivia and Pythio. This biking will be smooth and enjoyable, before ascending the side of Mount Koryfi and reaching Agios Dimitrios, your stopping point today and where you’ll spend the night.
Biking time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 7-8 hrs
Ascent: 720m Descent: 610m
Day 6 (Thursday): Agios Dimitrios to Olympic Riviera, 24 miles (38km).
On your final day of crossing the Olympus Mountains, you’ll leave Agios Dimitrios on a country road on the foothills of the west side of Olympus and alongside the river bed of Xerolaki. Xerolaki stands for “dry river” and is a synonym for the most stimulating part of this journey. Following the dry river bed, you’ll bike along the valley before reaching the north side of Olympus and the village of Petra. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll leave Petra by mini-bus and head back to the hotel at Olympic Riviera.
Biking time: 4–5 hrs
Total Time: 6-7 hrs
Ascent: 490m Descent: 1060m
Day 7 (Friday): Rest day at Olympic Riviera. Take the day to relax or perhaps take a day trip or try a new sport, which can be arranged with us on location.
Day 8 (Saturday): Departure from Olympic Riviera. |
Mountain Biking
