Climb Mount Olympus (2918m)
Summit the highest mountain in Greece and stand on top of the 'Mountain of the Gods'
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with a local, English-speaking mountain guideGuesthouse & Mountain hut
2 nights in a guesthouse, 1 night in a mountain refugeMeals
2 breakfasts at your guesthouseTransfers
Airport transfers and everything in betweenEquipment
Helmet, harness and ropeSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
What's it like?
Climb to the summit of Mt Olympus (2918m), one of the world's most famous peaks
Explore the beautiful and varied landscape of the legendary home of the Greek gods
Ascend and descend along different trails to ensure a unique and unforgettable experience each day
Key Information
Day 1
Head to Litochoro, at the base of Mount Olympus
Arrive into the coastal city of Thessaloniki – the second largest city in Greece, it's considered to be Greece's cultural capital. It is a fantastic place to explore on foot, so we recommend you fly in early if you have time. Your host will pick you up late afternoon and take you to Litochoro: a small town at the base of Mount Olympus, which is about an hour and a half's drive away. Settle into your guesthouse, then you can head out for dinner with your group.
Day 2
To the 'Plateau of Muses'
Hiking
It's an early start this morning as you set off on a drive to the trailhead at Prionia (1100m.) The trail meanders through a forest of pine, fir and birch and you'll meet hikers from all over the world, before breaking through the treeline and getting a stunning view of the many summits of Mount Olympus. Push on to the refuge at 2650m where you'll be spending the night – here, you can relax with a hot meal and a view over the 'Plateau of Muses'.
Day 3
Summit Mount Olympus
Hiking
After an early breakfast, your guide will decide which of the two potential summits to attempt based on weather conditions and the group's fitness. The first option is to ascend Skala Peak (2882m) and cross a narrow ridge to the adjacent Skolio Peak (2911m). The tougher option is to attempt the mountain's highest summit, Mytikas (2918m) – but with a couple of hundred metres of exposed scrambling at the end, this route will be a challenge. Either way, you'll enjoy some incredible views over the surrounding gorges and peaks before descending along a different path to the Gkortsia trailhead, where you’ll return to Litochoro. Celebrate your summit success with a cold afternoon beer.
Day 4
Time to head home
Tuck in breakfast before hopping into the van for your transfer back to Thessaloniki Airport – or you can get dropped off in the city itself if you want to explore Thessaloniki.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Refuges on Mount Olympus serve simple, hearty meals for around €10-15 per person. Breakfast usually consists of bread, butter, marmalade, honey, cheese, coffee/tea/milk and chocolate spreads. Lunch is often sandwiches, fruits, eggs, energy snacks and chocolate, while dinners usually offer some combination of soup, pasta with sauce, lentils with rice, beef with pasta, rice or mashed potatoes, and sausage with pasta, rice or mashed potatoes.
What is the accommodation like?
Litochoro
You will be staying in a guesthouse in Litochoro.
Mount Olympus
You'll stay in a rustic but comfortable mountain refuge above the treeline in a mixed dorm – either the Kakkalos Refuge or Apostolidis Refuge (depending on availability). Mattresses and warm blankets are provided and there is a common room where you can mingle with the other hikers and take meals. Alternatively, you can camp outside. Please note that the refuge does not have a shower and isn't connected to the electricity grid, with power supplied by solar panels and generators that are only available for a few hours each day (usually from dusk until around 22:00 or 23:00).
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, it is possible to request a private room upgrade on Day 1 and Day 3 of the trip (when you are staying at the guesthouse in Litochoro) – see Optional Extras for pricing. Please request this at the time of booking (subject to availability).
This trip has been rated as Challenging
This is a proper challenge, so you should be an experienced hiker with a good level of fitness. Both days involve long hikes with a full pack and as much as 1600m of elevation, while the summit of Mytikas requires some scrambling, so previous experience of this is recommended, but not essential. Ropes will be used for additional safety, but are not technically required to reach the summit. If any member of the group does not want to do this part of the trip, the second-highest peak of Mount Olympus, Skolio, (2,911m) offers an equally amazing view and can be reached by an easy/medium difficulty hiking path, without steep sections. The rest of the route is along a hiking path of medium difficulty, with several impressive drops close by that might be scary for those with a fear of heights.
Mount Olympus has a large elevation range, which makes the weather highly variable. Summer temperatures generally range between 0 and 20 °C, with cooler temperatures occurring near the top, especially at night. Strong winds are typical above the treeline, while most days are sunny or partly sunny, with thunderstorms occurring roughly a third of the days during summer. Before you travel, your host will be happy to assist with any queries on the mountain conditions and the best clothing and equipment for your trip; some items will be available for hire on arrival, see the Kit List section above for more details.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)
17:00 on Day 1
Ends
Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)
12:00 on Day 4
Transfers
Your host will pick you up at Thessaloniki Airport at 17:00 on Day 1, and drop you back at 12:00 on Day 4. It takes around 1.5 hours to get to Litochoro.
If you want to explore Thessaloniki as part of your trip, you can be collected instead from Aristotelous Square in central Thessaloniki at 17:30 on Day 1, and/or dropped back there at 11:00 on Day 4. Just let your host know in advance.
Travel options
There are direct flights to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) from across Europe, or you can connect in Athens for more flexible options. If you arrive early or are staying on late: it takes around 30 minutes to get to Thessaloniki city centre by taxi.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Helmet
- Harness
- Rope
What's available to hire?
- Trekking poles, trekking boots, flashlights, ice axe, crampons, gaiters, goggles, jackets, pants, sleeping bag, and sleeping bag liner are all items that can be hired and paid for locally. Please contact your host for any questions regarding hiring equipment.
What do I need to bring?
- Large, comfortable backpack (40L) with padded straps and waist belt (internal frame preferred)
- Waterproof liner for keeping clothing dry
- Sturdy, worn in trekking shoes
- Good waterproof top with hood
- Warm clothes, both for windy / cold daytime conditions and for the cool evenings (fleece tops or similar)
- Shorts and long trousers for walking, preferably quick-drying material (cotton or poly-cotton not denim)
- Sweatshirts or T-shirts for walking, at least one with long sleeves and collar (against sun-burn)
- Sheet, sleeping bag or similar (e.g. duvet cover) for the night, although blankets will also be available.
- Sunglasses, towel, sun hat or cap, sun block
- Wash bag and simple first aid kit (plasters or blister kit, aspirin or similar, antiseptic)
- Camera
- Torch (head torch if you have one)
- Walking sticks
- 1L-2L Water bottle(s) or bladder
Litochoro village extra night (double/twin room)
Payable Before Departure
Litochoro village extra night (double/twin room)
… Per Night
Litochoro village extra night (single room)
Payable Before Departure
Litochoro village extra night (single room)
… Per Night
in Litochoro only (not in the mountain hut)
Payable Before Departure
in Litochoro only (not in the mountain hut)
… Per Person
Private transfer from Thessaloniki city or airport to Litochoro village (per vehicle per way)
Payable Before Departure
Private transfer from Thessaloniki city or airport to Litochoro village (per vehicle per way)
…
This trip exceeded my already
This trip exceeded my already high expectations. MBA made everything from airport pick up to airport drop off super straightforward.
Our guide, Thanasis was absolutely incredible. He was super knowledgeable, encouraging & supportive and really made this a 5 star experience.
The hike itself was spectacular - the views were unlike anything I had seen before and the strong connection to Greek mythology made it all the more magical.
I would encourage anyone considering this trip to just book it! You won't regret it.
Mt Olympus
Excellent trip. Strongly recommend. Our guide, Thanasis, was superb. Greek people are very friendly and welcoming.
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