PARC NATIONAL DE L'OLYMPE

Established in 1938, this national park (Εθνικός Δρυμός Ολύμπου/Ethnikos Drymos Olympou) is Greece's oldest. Covering an area of 238 km², it encompasses most of the Olympus massif, in particular the country's highest point, Mount Mytikas (2,918 m), as well as 51 other peaks over 2,000 m in altitude and the grandiose Plateau of the Muses (2,700 m). Divided between Macedonia and Thessaly, it is best accessed from the east, from Litochoro, through the Enipeas Gorge. Popular with rock-climbers and hikers, it has several mountain huts, including Spilios-Agapitos, at 2,100 m altitude and the main departure point for the summits. It also boasts the small ski resort of Olympus, at 1,900 m altitude. This is linked by a 20 km road to Olympiada in Thessaly. The national park has been part of Unesco's world network of biosphere reserves since 1981. There are 1,700 plant species (25% of the country's flora), including 23 endemics that grow only here, such as the Olympian ramrod (Ramonda heldreichii) and the Litochoro cornflower (Centaurea litochorea). There are 32 species of mammal (Balkan chamois, wolf, deer, etc.), 108 species of bird (golden eagle, short-toed eagle, booted eagle, buzzard, tichodrome, etc.) and numerous insects and reptiles. Unfortunately, the park has fallen victim to overtourism, with the Enipeas gorges and the plateau des Muses attracting large numbers of visitors in summer.