Agios Antonis peak at 2815 m is the fifth-highest peak of Mount Olympus. The view from the top is stunning as you can have a 360 full view of Mytikas, Skolio, Christakis, Hotza, Aegean Sea, Pindus range and Agrafa, Kissavos, etc... Amazing and very often above the clouds... It is one of the best ways to start the season as it is usually the first place that receives enough amount of snow and has an easy access.
Make sure you carry with you:
ID Card (necessary to enter from KEOACH, military camp)
Map of Olympus Mountain (or any GPS device)
Boot crampons
Water & food
Tips:
If you plan to stay overnight, you must first inform the military camp.
Contact tel. 24930 621 63.
Approach:
The way to ascend to the top is considered easy due to the asphalted road leading to the KEOACH (Military Camp, Mountain Race & Ski Training Center) which is located at 1805 m altitude. Ascending to the mountain from either Katerini city or Elassona city, follow the road to Olympiada village and then to KEOACH, Vrysopoules. There is car parking in front of the military camp.
To approach the mountain, you have to pass through the camp. Prepare your equipment properly at the parking. It is required to state to the soldiers at the gate, your name, and telephone number and show your ID to pass through the military base.
Tips:
At the KEOX Camp, you may find some last-minute snacks and water if you forgot them before heading there.
Ascent:
Following the path road through the camp, hike to the ski lifts (there are military ski lifts on the mountain base). Continue uphill with the skins to arrive in about 1 - 1.5 hours at "Kostas Migotzidis" Emergency Shelter at 2340m.
Tips:
Don't hesitate to spend the night in the Migotzidis shelter if you have the necessary equipment. There is an oil stove and the army usually supplies the refuge with fuel. Beds and blankets are available.
Leaving the refuge, the route to the top of St. Antonis is clear. From 2340 m to 2815 m, it will take you another 1.5 hours of climbing with the skins or often it is required to use boot crampons.
In the refuge at the top of Ag. Antonis there is wireless communication with the emergency of the Hellenic rescue team. There are beds and blankets in case of an overnight stay.
Find the route for an easy ascent below:
Download the GPX below:
Route activity recorded with Garmin Fenix 7S.
Descent:
From the top of Agios Antonis, right to Migotzidis Refuge, snow quality is usually excellent and enough throughout the winter months.
Reaching Migotzidis refuge there are several rides
1. The most prominent is the slope next to the lifts. Left and right of them, heading to the KEOACH base.
The way to ride down safely:
2. Alternatively, you can ride the stream at the right of Migotzidis shelter which also leads directly to KEOACH. The stream is usually full of snow from January onwards.
3. An advanced one to ride will be to hit one more peak for a second ascent, Hotza summit 2510m, and from there ride down to Mingozidis Shelter and back to the base of KEOACH from the stream to the right.
Whenever visiting or staying overnight on the mountain make sure you won't leave behind any of your belongings or your garbage.