The Salonica View alternative tourism office organizes a hike on the Path of the Ice Makers in Hortiati, picking chestnuts and discussing their nutritional value with our team's Nutritionist, and finally a visit to the S.E.O. shelter.
A few words about our event:
The meeting point of our group will be the starting point of the path which is located 950 m after the square of Hortiatis village on Kisseos Street. Initially, we will move uphill from the most famous and beautiful path of Hortiatis, the Pagopoi path. We will have the pleasure of walking through the dense beech and chestnut forest and also seeing Lake Koronia from above until we reach the S.E.O. shelter.
On our way to the shelter, those who wish will have the opportunity to pick chestnuts, wild blackberries, and rose hips, as well as to discuss their valuable nutritional value with the Nutritionist of our team. Then we will stop for rest, food, and drink (not included in the price) at the beautiful area of the S.E.O refuge where if we are lucky we will also enjoy the famous brown soup!
The route will be linear 4 km and relatively easy, the path only at the beginning has a steeper uphill slope of about 1 km but along the way, it becomes gentler so that it is also suitable for children 10 years and older.
Our final destination will be the point where we started our hike. Our tour does not include transportation and everyone is responsible for their own arrival and return from the meeting point to the city and vice versa.
Track Features:
a) Degree of difficulty: Level 2 - Moderate
b) Hiking duration: 4 hours
c) Distance: 8 km.
Points of interest:
Hortiatis: It is a mountain in Thessaloniki. It has an altitude of 1,201 meters and is located northeast of Thessaloniki. In ancient times it was called Kissos and at its foot, the homonymous town which is a martyr settlement, because it was burned by the Germans on September 2, 1944, and the entire male population was executed.
Path of the Ice Makers: This path, also known as the Path of the Ice Makers, is the most popular route in Hortiatis. It got its name from the ancient Hortiatians, where on very cold winter nights, would climb the mountain, create ice, and then sell it to the wealthy families of Thessaloniki.
Flora and Fauna: The mountain at its lowest points is covered with holly and dogwood. The next vegetation zone is chestnut and mainly broadleaf oak forests. The upper vegetation zone is the beech zone. Also, the flora of Hortiatis includes the species: Hellebore the fragrant, Galanthos of Elves, Krokos the beautiful, and Neotinea the trident.
Participation fee:
€12/person
The price includes:
- Escort and organization
- Experienced mountain guides
- First aid box
- Update - discussion with a Nutritionist
CAUTION!!! Payment of the full amount is made to the bank accounts below within 4 days of your booking. Otherwise, the booking is canceled.
IBAN of Piraeus Bank GR41 0172 2220 0052 2209 3179 693 (Payee: ANDREAS TSAGARIS)
IBAN of National Bank GR2701102230000022300527524 (Payee: TSAGARIS ANDREAS)
*** In case the payment is made by a bank other than the above, the customer must pay the additional cost (4 euros).
You must have with you:
- Hiking boots or a good sports shoe
- Hiking pants or leggings
- Second top, socks, trousers, shoes, and a small towel (change)
- Snack
- Water
- Backpack
- Raincoat (required)
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Tissues
- Trekking Pole (optional)
- Camera (optional)
Note 1. In case of cancellation of the event due to bad weather conditions, the excursion is moved to another date. Participants unable to participate on that date will be refunded. However, if again the weather conditions do not allow the event to take place, the event is permanently canceled and everyone is refunded. In case of cancellation by the participants, 7 days or less before the date of the event, the money is not returned.
Note 2. Photo material is shared on our page and social media after each event. By participating in a Salonica View event, you also accept the sharing of photos. Otherwise, please let us know.
Note 3. For the best functioning of the event and for safety reasons, participants must comply with the instructions of the attendants.
