Chortiatis Mountain Hiking Tour: 10 km Summit Hike

Climb to Kolosourtis peak and see three landmarks at once

A guided hiking tour on Chortiatis mountain near Thessaloniki covers 10 km with 500 meters of elevation gain, starting from the village and following the historic Ice Maker's path to a mountain refuge, then climbing to the summit for panoramic views of Thessaloniki, the Thermaic Gulf and Mount Olympus. The route is customizable to your fitness level, includes hotel pickup, a guide trained in First Aid, hiking poles and water, and takes about five hours total.

The experience

The hike starts in Chortiatis village and follows the Ice Maker's path, a route named after early residents who climbed the mountain in winter to harvest and store ice blocks for sale to Thessaloniki families below. You'll walk through dense forest with diverse plant and animal species, gaining elevation gradually as the path winds upward. After about 10 km of hiking with 500 meters of vertical gain, you reach Kolosourtis peak, where the view opens to the city of Thessaloniki, the Thermaic Gulf and Mount Olympus on clear days.

Midway through the hike, you stop at Chortiatis refuge, a welcoming shelter at 1,000 meters altitude where you rest in the outdoor space, drink coffee and eat a snack while listening to birds in the trees. The refuge is open weekends only, so timing matters. From there, the final push to the summit takes another stretch of climbing before you descend back to the village where your guide first met you.

Your guide speaks English or Greek, carries a First Aid Kit and is trained in emergency response. You get hiking poles to ease the climb and bottled water throughout the day. Hotel pickup from Thessaloniki is included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the trailhead. The route adapts to your fitness level (the operator customizes the pace and distance if needed), and the five-hour timeframe covers the hike, the refuge stop and the return.

What’s included

• Private hotel pickup from Thessaloniki.
• English or Greek-speaking guide trained in First Aid.
• hiking poles.
• bottled water.
• rest and refreshments at Chortiatis refuge on weekends.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (15 to 65 years) · Under 15: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Greek

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Trail Path

Is this one for you?The five-hour timeframe and customizable pace suit hikers of any fitness level who want a full morning or afternoon in the mountains without a long drive from the city. If you have spinal injuries, are pregnant or have cardiovascular concerns, this elevation gain and distance are not suitable.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Ice Maker's path and why is it called that?

The Ice Maker's path is the main hiking route on Chortiatis mountain, named after the practice of early villagers who climbed the mountain on cold winter nights to cut ice blocks from the ground and then transported them down to sell to wealthy families in Thessaloniki. You follow this historic route for much of the hike.

What will I see from Kolosourtis peak?

From the summit, you see Thessaloniki city below, the Thermaic Gulf to the east and Mount Olympus in the distance on clear days. The panoramic view is the main reward of reaching the peak.

How much elevation do I gain on this hike?

The hike covers 10 km with 500 meters of elevation gain from the village to Kolosourtis peak. The route is gradual enough to customize for different fitness levels, and hiking poles are provided to help with the climb.

Is the Chortiatis refuge open every day?

Chortiatis refuge opens only on weekends, so the timing of your tour matters if you want to stop there for coffee and a snack. The refuge sits at 1,000 meters altitude and is a popular rest point on the hike.

What is included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup from Thessaloniki, a guide who speaks English or Greek, hiking poles, bottled water and a First Aid Kit are all included. The guide is trained in First Aid and carries emergency supplies.