Mount Ossa
1,978 m
Greece
Also known as Kissavos, Оса, +7Also known as
Kissavos · Оса · Ossa · Όσσα · Monte Osa · Monte Ossa · Όσσα-Κίσσαβος · Muntele Ossa · Оса/Осса
- Elevation
- 1,978 m
- Prominence
- 1,854 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- May–Oct
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The usual ascent of Ossa (Kissavos, 1,978 m): from the EOS Larissa refuge at Kanalos (about 1,510 m), reached by paved road from Larissa via Spilia, a waymarked path climbs open, bare slopes to an abandoned OTE building and follows the ridge to the summit chapel of Profitis Ilias. About 470 m of ascent; 1–2 hours up.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 2.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +465 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,978 m
- Time Up
- 1h 55m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 1h 17m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Drive from Larissa via Sykourio and Spilia on the paved road that ends just outside the refuge at Kanalos (about 1,510 m), about 45 minutes from Larissa. There is a cold spring next to the refuge and a tap and trough a short distance above it. From the trough the waymarked path heads south-east, first on a tractor track and then as a path over bare ground; in good weather the summit is in view the whole way. Aim for the abandoned OTE building on the ridge; below it turn right onto the distinctive ridge, which leads in about 30 minutes to the summit. The top carries a metal bell tower and an underground chapel of Profitis Ilias. Return the same way (about 50 minutes to 1 hour). The walk is easy in summer, but cloud often covers the summit and the weather can change several times a day. In winter and spring the upper slopes are a popular ski-touring and snowshoe objective; the road to the refuge is cleared of snow only late in the season.
Start
Καταφύγιο Κισσάβου1,510 m
- Buses run from Larissa to some villages on Ossa; there is no service to the refuge. Taxi from Larissa.
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Καταφύγιο Κισσάβου → Όσσα-Κίσσαβος | 2.9 | 465 | 0 | 1h 55m |
Waypoints
- Hut: Καταφύγιο Κισσάβου1,510 m
EOS Larissa refuge at Kanalos; end of the paved road; spring and trough
- Feature: Abandoned OTE building1,779 m
Turn right below it onto the summit ridge
- Summit: Όσσα-Κίσσαβος1,978 m
Profitis Ilias: bell tower and underground chapel
Key Passages
- Bare slopes above the refuge
- Ridge from the abandoned OTE building to the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
Ossa, known locally as Kissavos (1,978 m), is the isolated, ultra-prominent mountain facing Olympus across the Tempe valley in Thessaly. A paved road climbs to the EOS Larissa refuge at about 1,510 m, from where an easy waymarked path over bare slopes reaches the summit chapel of Profitis Ilias in 1–2 hours.
Ossa rises between the Thessalian plain at Larissa and the Aegean, separated from Olympus to the north by the Tempe gorge of the Pineios river and continuing south-east towards Mavrovouni and Pelion. With about 1,850 m of prominence it is one of the most prominent mountains in Greece. Its flanks carry dense deciduous forest, especially on the seaward side, while the summit dome above about 1,600 m is bare.
The summit, Profitis Ilias, carries a metal bell tower and an underground chapel; an abandoned OTE station stands on the ridge just north-east. On clear days the view takes in Olympus across the valley, the Thermaic Gulf towards Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki, Mount Athos, and the Thessalian plain to the Agrafa.
Because a paved road reaches the refuge at Kanalos, the summit is an easy half-day outing from Larissa; the full ascent from the village of Spilia on the O2 national trail makes a satisfying long day. In winter the open upper slopes are a ski-touring objective.
Climbing Notes
From the refuge the summit is an easy 470 m climb on a waymarked path, suitable for beginners in summer; allow 1–2 hours up and about an hour down. The full ascent from Spilia (about 800 m) on the O2 national trail takes 5–5.5 hours one way, with water in Spilia, at a spring on the road and at the refuge.
Cloud frequently covers the summit and the weather can change several times a day, so carry warm, windproof layers and a GPS track. In winter and spring the upper slopes hold snow; the refuge road is cleared only late in the season, and crampons and an ice axe or skis are needed. An evening ascent for the sunset over the Thessalian plain is a local favourite.
History
In Greek myth the giants Otus and Ephialtes piled Pelion on Ossa in an attempt to reach Olympus. A klephtic folk song tells of a quarrel between Olympus and Kissavos. No record of a first ascent is known.
Season
Best May–Oct- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Good
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Best (best window)
- November: Good
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Snow; ski touring; refuge road may be closed
- Feb
- Snow; ski touring
- Mar
- Snow; spring ski touring
- Apr
- Snow patches on the upper slopes
- May
- Good conditions
- Jun
- Good conditions
- Jul
- Best season; afternoon storms possible
- Aug
- Best season
- Sep
- Good conditions
- Oct
- Autumn colours in the forest
- Nov
- First snow possible; frequent cloud
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- The Kanalos refuge belongs to EOS Larissa (info@eoslarissas.gr); contact the club for overnight stays.
- Getting There
Larissa
Thessaloniki (SKG)
- Car: Larissa – Sykourio – Spilia, then the paved road to its end at the Kanalos refuge (about 45 minutes from Larissa)
- A 4x4 dirt road from Anatoli reaches a saddle a few minutes below the summit
- Infrequent buses from Larissa to Spilia; no public transport to the refuge
- Larissa has rail connections on the Athens–Thessaloniki line
Hazards
- Weather
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,510 m
Καταφύγιο ΚισσάβουRefugeUnstaffed
Contact EOS Larissa