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Start your hike, walking in the footsteps of the past. Learn the history of the mountain and its namesake village. Observe the flora constantly changing around you. Step onto the plateau and marvel at the stunning view. Reach the refuge and relax in its beautiful outdoor space. It’s time for coffee, snacks, and stories.
Learn this too:
The history of the icemen of Chortiatis is closely intertwined with the city of Thessaloniki, and written references date back to the 17th century with the Turkish traveler Evliya Çelebi.
The icemen carved small and large openings in forest paths, and on cold winter nights, they would ascend the mountain and guide the water from the springs through these openings into reservoirs where they stored it.
The water would freeze during the night, and the next morning they would climb up, open holes to let out the unfrozen water, let it freeze again, and when the ice was ready, they would cut it into pieces using special axes. They would then transport the ice down to the city of Thessaloniki using horses, carts, or donkeys, where they would sell it.
References say that the last icemen operated around 1960.
We depart at 09:00 with the destination being Chortiatis.
Arrival at the beginning of the Path of the Icemen, where our beautiful circular hike begins, with a total duration of approximately 2.5 hours. Changes in the natural landscape, stories of the trail, and viewpoints guide us to the Chortiatis Refuge.
Once we reach the Chortiatis Refuge, we will relax in its outdoor space, feeling the coolness of the trees and listening to the birds singing while we enjoy a cup of coffee and a tasty snack.
Filled with beautiful images and experiences from this day trip to Chortiatis Mountain, we return to the city of Thessaloniki in the afternoon.