Olympus Mountains Climb

Mount Olympus Climb

Mytikas · 2917 m · Greece

Olympus has occupied a unique place in Greek culture for thousands of years. In ancient Greek mythology, it was regarded as the home of the twelve Olympian gods. The mythology is only one part of the mountain’s identity today. Its rich biodiversity and varied landscapes are protected within Olympus National Park, making the mountain significant both culturally and naturally.

Few European mountains offer such a striking combination of altitude and proximity to the sea. At 2 917 m, Mytikas is high enough to provide a genuine alpine experience, yet Mount Olympus rises close to the Aegean coast. The result is a mountain landscape where the upper limestone peaks, forested slopes and Mediterranean environment come together within a relatively compact area.

For hikers, this combination gives Olympus an unusual character: a mountain with a powerful cultural identity, but also a serious and rewarding physical environment.

The Journey at a Glance

	Difficulty / Technicality	What to expect...	Daily Ascent (1) Moving time (2)	NOTES!	Accomodation
Litochoro to Petrostrouga Hut — Day 1	Moderate	We meet in Thessaloniki or directly in Litochoro, the town at the foot of Mount Olympus. From Litochoro, a 30 min transfer takes us to Gortsia, where we begin the ascent. The trail climbs steadily through the forests of Olympus. After approximately 3.5 hours and 900 metres of elevation gain, we reach Petrostrouga Hut at 1950 m.	+900m 3.5 hours	The relatively moderate first day allows us to enter the mountain gradually and be well positioned for the ascent towards the high plateau on the following morning.	Petrostrouga hut
Mouson Plateau and Mytikas — Day 2	Advanced	An early start takes us higher into the mountain. From Petrostrouga, we ascend towards the Mouson Plateau at ~2700 m (2.5 hours). The forest gradually gives way to open alpine terrain, and the character of the mountain changes significantly. After a second breakfast, we leave some of our luggage at the hut and continue towards Mytikas. The ascent and descent of the summit section typically take around ~4.5 hours. The final part is steep and exposed and involves scrambling. After reaching the summit, we return to the plateau and spend the night in the mountain refuge beneath Mount Stefani.	+970m 7 hours	Weather permitting, the evening and following morning offer spectacular views across the surrounding peaks.	Mountain refuge
Musala Area & Icy Lake Hut — Day 3	Difficult	If weather conditions prevented the summit ascent on Day 2, an early start on Day 3 may provide another opportunity to climb Mytikas, depending on the conditions and the guide's assessment. Otherwise, we begin our descent from the high mountains. The trail continues down through the valleys towards Prionia, where the trek ends. From there, we transfer back to Litochoro (~30 min away).	-1550m 5 hours	From Litochoro, you can return to Thessaloniki or continue towards the coast for a night by the Mediterranean Sea.	(optional) Thessaloniki

Mount Olympus is not simply a peak to be ticked off. The route passes through several distinct mountain environments, from dense forests to open alpine terrain and the rocky summit area. The Mouson Plateau, surrounded by some of Olympus’s most dramatic peaks, is one of the defining landscapes of the trek.

Spending a night in the mountains also changes the experience. Rather than treating Olympus as a day excursion, the 3-day itinerary allows us to remain within the mountain environment through the evening and morning, when the character of the landscape is very different.

Optional Extensions

Mount Olympus can be combined with other mountain and cultural destinations in Greece and the Balkans. Possible extensions include:

1. Mount Stefani;
2. Tymfi Mountains, Northern Greece;
3. Meteora Monastery Complex;
4. Rila and Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria.

NOTE! If you would like to combine Olympus with another trek or create a longer Balkan mountain itinerary, contact us and we can suggest a suitable combination.

Is this trip for you?

This climb is a good match for hikers who enjoy long mountain days, significant elevation gain, varied terrain and the physical challenge of reaching a high summit. The summit day is the most demanding part of the itinerary, combining a substantial ascent with a final section that is steep, exposed and requires some scrambling.

• You should be comfortable moving efficiently on uneven mountain terrain and hiking for several consecutive hours with elevation gain and loss.
• The final approach to Mytikas is exposed and is not appropriate for people with a strong fear of heights.

If you already spend time hiking or climbing in the mountains, the more relevant question is not whether you are accustomed to physical activity, but whether this combination of distance, elevation, exposure and scrambling is the type of mountain experience you are looking for.

NOTE! If you are uncertain about the terrain or your previous experience, contact us before booking. We can discuss the route and current conditions with you.