Other activities you can take part in is canyoning, off-roading or dirt bike riding, mountain biking as well as climbing the Olympus mountainsides or the artificial climbing walls of the Litochoro Sports Centre.You will find details on the routes and maps in the site of the Municipality of Dion-Olympus. Other mountain trails begin at Dion and Petra. If you feel like going on with your climbing, a few kilometres before reaching Prionia (Gortsia location), another route starts towards Mousses Plateau (elevation: 2,600 m.) and from there you will take to Olympus’ highest peaks. Near Prionia, the river waters form small natural ponds. There are nine climbing routes and the most popular is the one leading from Litochoro to Prionia via Enipeas ravine (mountain path E4). Trekking, mountain climbing and other sports on Mt Olympus.Enjoy yourselves in the local cafés and bars. In local restaurants, tavernas and ouzo bars you will taste the macedonian cuisine which is mostly about meat, cheese products and pies. Mt Olympus was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1981. The recorded fauna includes 32 mammal species, 108 species of birds among which are rare vultures, many reptiles, insects and butterflies. It was the first National Park of Greece to be named so in 1938 and it covers an area of 45 km2 of oak, black pine, beech, white pine, alpine vegetation, an overall 1,700 species of flora (23 of which are endemic). The Olympus National Park encompasses areas of breathtaking beauty. A scenic route begins at Myloi location, in the town borders, and goes through the ravine of Enipeas river. Litochoro has always been connected with outings to Mt Olympus, the mountain of ancient Greek myth. There is also a small church under the huge plane tree, dedicated to Agios Kosmas Aitolos who preached under the shade of this tree in the times of the Ottoman Occupation. Within the grounds you can visit the Ecclesiastical Byzantine Museum where there are historic manuscripts on display as well as rare church vessels and vestments. The monastery was moved to its present-day location after the Germans destroyed the 16th century impressive old fortified monastery, in 1943. This is the location of the ancient Pimpleia town, according to ancient historians. Make a point of visiting Agios Dionysios’ new monastery located in Skala. Further up the mountainside, at the highest point of that course you will reach Profitis Ilias country chapel you will be rewarded with a lovely panoramic view. In Agioi Apostoloi grove you will quench your thirst with Mt Olympus’ ice cold waters at the fountain next to Agioi Apostoloi church. You will see the picturesque Agia Paraskevi’s country chapel nestled between the last houses, in the west edge of town. There are remarkable religious monuments and pilgrimage places worth visiting in the area. Take a walk through the pine-covered Katounia park (at the town entrance) and visit the sports and cultural centre, as well as the Maritime Museum which showcases the area’s rich maritime tradition. You will see small squares called bairia in between old houses. Start your tour at the old traditional quarter of the town, along narrow lanes and past houses built in the typical macedonian style.
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