SHORT DESCRIPTION
Summer climbing in Olympus Mountain , to Scholio summit, the second highest peak of mythical mountain. And do not think that the weather is hot. Keep in mind that for every 250m, the temperature is falling about 2 degrees. In combination with the wind or the clouds, it can be really cold. So be prepared and carry a jacket or a fleece with you.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Distance from Thessaloniki: 153 km
European Emergency Number: 112
Fire Brigade Dept: 199
Medical Emergency: 166
XOS Elassonas 2493025448
https://www.facebook.com/xoselassonas
K.E.O.A.X. (Alt.1800m) – Ag. Antonios Summit (Alt.2816m) – Scholio Summit (Alt 2912m)
Route Information
Route Description: Trekking
Route Length: 11,5 km
Water in route: No
Duration: 3h (ascent) 2,5h (descent)
The route took place at JUNE 2019
Team members 4 adults
The route starts from the army skiers and special forces camp, the Center for the Training of Mountain Skiing (KEOAX in Greek), located at the place of Vrysopoules. An asphalt road brings us to KEOAX and to the small parking lot, outside the camp, where we are leaving our car. We are passing the camp’s watch, we are giving our identity as this is a military area and we are ready to go.
We are following the ski center’s lift of the camp until the end and after an hour of demanding ascent, we are in the emergency shelter “Kostas Migotzidis” at 2340 meters, at the base of Agios Antonios summit. From there we can, either bypass Agios Antonios summit and continue left to Scholio by following the marks in the path, or we can free climb to Agios Antonios, which is quite difficult due to the inclination, but this route to Scholio is far more beautiful. So we continue the ascent, in the alpine deserted landscape and at about one hour we reach the summit of Agios Antonios at 2816 meters altitude.
Our view is , on the left, is Scholio summit and on the right Mytikas summit. A few meters under the top, there is the weather station of the University of Thessaloniki, which is not working anymore and is used as a refuge also, but unfortunately it is in a very bad condition.
From the summit, we descend the ridge to the left for about 150 meters until we meet the path that starts at the foot of Agios Antonios. The path is well marked, although it is not necessary (basically it is marked for the heavy winter conditions and the snow). Our path goes to the base of Scholio and continues to the right heading to Kakoskala and Mytikas.
From the base, we climb to the top and in about an hour, from Ag, Antonios, we reach the summit of Scholio at an altitude of 2912 meters. There are no words to describe the view from the second highest peak of Olympus and Greece.
The return is been done by going back from the same route, except that we are passing by Agios Antonios summit, going to the ridge of the “Kostas Migotzidis” refuge and from there , back to KEOAX.
A wonderful and fast route for Scholio summit, that does not have the beauty of a hike in the forest, but the magnificence and the wildness of the alpine landscape that Olympus Mountain, the home of the gods, gives us.