The Salonica View alternative tourism office organises a hike on the Path of the Ice Makers in Hortiati, picking chestnuts (if we can find them) and a discussion about their nutritional value with the Nutritionist of our team 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 https://maps.app.goo.gl/8XVkUE5W1is7RNj46. Initially we will move uphill from the most famous and beautiful path of Hortiatis, the ice makers’ path. We will have the pleasure of walking through the dense beech and chestnut forest and also seeing Lake Koroneia 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 (if we can find them), wild blackberries and rose hips, as well as to discuss their valuable nutritional value with the Nutritionist of our group. Then we will stop for rest, food and drink (not included in the price) in 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 for about 1 km but along the way it becomes gentler so that it is also aimed at children from 10 years and older.
Our final destination will be the point where we started our hike. Our tour does not include transportation so everyone is responsible for their own arrival and return to the meeting point.
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 of Thessaloniki. It has an altitude of 1,201 meters and is located North-East of Thessaloniki. In ancient times it was called Kissos and at its foot was built the homonymous town which is a martyr settlement, as it was burned by the Germans on September 2nd, 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 old Hortiatians, where on very cold winter nights, they 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 quercus coccifera and carpinus orientalis. 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: helleborus odorus, galanthus elwesii, crocus pulchellusl and neotinea tridentata.
Cost of participation:
€12/person
The price includes:
- Escort and organization
- Experienced mountain guides
- First aid kit
- Update - discussion with a Nutritionist
ATTENTION!!! Payment of the full amount is made to the bank accounts below within 4 days of your reservation. Otherwise, the booking is cancelled.
Piraeus Bank IBAN GR41 0172 2220 0052 2209 3179 693 (Beneficiary: ANDREAS TSAGARIS)
National Bank of Greece IBAN GR2701102230000022300527524 (Beneficiary: 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
- Waterproof jacket (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.
