Mount Olympus is Greece’s highest mountain range, with Mytikas rising to 2,917.7 metres. This rugged limestone massif presents countless challenges for mountaineers. Anyone tackling a tour here should approach it with the same care and respect as they would in the Alps. In theory, there are several ways to reach the summit. Here I describe the route I found most captivating: from Litochoro (Λιτόχωρο) across the Plateau of the Muses to the peaks of Mytikas and Skala.
Please note: Greek uses a different alphabet, so transliterations are not always consistent. You may encounter varying spellings of the same place online or in guidebooks. I occasionally include the Greek spelling, but a little imagination is sometimes required.
Location and How to Get There
Mount Olympus lies in northern Greece, on the border between Thessaly and Central Macedonia. At 2,918 metres, it is the country’s highest mountain and a superb terrain for climbers and hikers.
Around 90 kilometres south of Thessaloniki sits Litochoro, the valley town where this tour begins. Just 7 kilometres from the east coast, it is reasonably accessible by public transport. The town has a railway station, although it is about 5 kilometres outside the centre, so a taxi is the easiest option. Buses run several times daily between Litochoro and Katerini, and they stop directly in the town centre. Litochoro itself has around 7,000 residents and offers good tourist facilities, with plenty of accommodation, restaurants and shops.
Mount Olympus is also well placed for the rest of your holiday. Litochoro is only 90 kilometres, or 1.5 to 2 hours, from Thessaloniki depending on transport. If you fancy some culture before or after your mountain adventure, the Meteora monasteries are about 150 kilometres inland and reachable by public transport. Athens lies roughly 400 kilometres away, with train journeys taking 4 to 5 hours.
Equipment and Food
Crossing Mytikas is a serious undertaking that requires careful planning. Maps and information are available locally, for example at the Tourist Information Office and the Olympus National Park Centre.
Although huts along the way serve food, you should definitely carry snacks. The first day is long and strenuous, and the only refreshment stop comes relatively early.
Water is essential. While some maps mark springs, they are often dry or inaccessible in summer. A warm, dry wind often accelerates dehydration. Carry at least two litres per person.
Good hiking boots and warm clothing are indispensable. Even in midsummer, temperatures at the summit can be cold. Pack long trousers, a jumper and a windbreaker. Rockfall can occur in the gully below the summit when busy, so a climbing helmet offers extra protection. Hiking poles are useful for the long ascent and descent, but no further climbing equipment is required.
Mountain Tour: Litochoro – Mytikas – Prionia
- Getting there: Accessible by public transport
- Valley location: Litochoro (Λιτόχωρο)
- Starting point: Gortsia (Γκορτσιά)
- Route:
- Day 1: Gortsia – Plateau of the Muses – Giosos Apostolidis Hut
- Day 2: Giosos Apostolidis Hut – Mytikas – Skala – Prionia
- Accommodation: Giosos Apostolidis (Γιώσος Αποστολίδης) or Christos Kakkalos (Χρήστος Κάκκαλος) huts
- Refreshment stops:
- Day 1: Petrostrouga Hut
- Day 2: Hut A (Spilios Agapitos, Σπήλιος Αγαπητός)
- Ascent: approx. 1920 m
- Descent: approx. 1950 m
- Distance: approx. 21 km
Our journey begins in Gortsia, a junction on the road to Prionia with a small car park for hikers. From here we climb to the Giosos Apostolidis Hut at 2,697 metres, where we spend the night. On the second day we tackle Mount Olympus itself, first ascending to Mytikas at 2,918 metres, then continuing over Skala at 2,866 metres before descending to Prionia. Here you will find a managed hut for hikers and day visitors, as well as a car park. How you return to Litochoro depends on current circumstances. There is no bus service, so you can either hope for a lift or will need to call a taxi.
Day 1: Ascent to the Giosos Apostolidis Hut
It is early morning and we head to the taxi rank in the centre of Litochoro. With our hiking map in hand, we explain to the driver where we want to go. For me, it feels unusual to take a taxi to begin a mountain tour, but the driver is entirely unfazed. Dropping hikers and tourists off in the middle of nowhere is part of his daily routine.
Our journey starts in Gortsia, a junction on the road through the Enipea Valley. From here, we face a climb of around 1,600 metres to reach the Giosos Apostolidis Hut, a trek that should take about six hours.
At first, the trail is fairly unremarkable. A gentle path winds uphill through forest typical of northern Greece. Soon it becomes steeper, with roots and rocks underfoot, and occasional short climbs, yet progress is steady. The route is clearly marked with Mount Olympus signs, so navigation is straightforward. Though long, the path remains manageable throughout.
At 1,800 metres the forest begins to thin, offering glimpses of the surrounding peaks. We continue to the Petrostrouga Hut at 1,940 metres. Open in summer, it serves food and drinks and boasts a superb view of the coastline.
Beyond this point the terrain opens up, with only scattered trees remaining. The expansive views are magnificent, but the lack of shade leaves us exposed to the summer sun. The trail continues relentlessly uphill through increasingly rugged and barren scenery until we reach the Plateau of the Muses at around 2,600 metres. Two huts stand here. We spend the night in the higher Giosos Apostolidis Hut at 2,697 metres, ready to continue our tour the next day. The panorama from the Plateau of the Muses is simply breathtaking, stretching inland in one direction and out to the sea in the other.
Day 2: Crossing Mytikas and Skala
On the second day, the summit of Mytikas at 2,918 metres is not far. From the hut, it is only about 220 metres of elevation gain. Crossing over to Skala at 2,866 metres requires a little more climbing before the descent begins. From the hut the view is spectacular, dominated by the huge rock barrier of Stefani, Greece’s third-highest peak. Breakfast with that backdrop is unforgettable, and just beyond lies Mytikas.
Our route leads past Stefani. Shortly afterwards a steep but well-marked gully branches off towards the summit of Mytikas. Here you need to use your hands on the rock and climb repeatedly. For experienced climbers this is straightforward, but for the less practiced it can be dangerous. The terrain is steep and exposed. Tip: if you do not feel confident tackling the final metres to the summit, you can continue along the hiking trail. This bypasses Mytikas and Skala but rejoins the same descent route afterwards.
For us, the climb is enjoyable and we make swift progress, soon reaching the summit of Mytikas. There is no higher point in Greece, and with a dominance of 254 kilometres it towers above all others. The view is astonishing, stretching far beyond the mountains of northern Greece and deep into the Aegean, dotted with countless islands.
We press on. A rocky ridge leads us to Skala with little loss of altitude, though the crossing demands sure-footedness and occasional climbing. The path feels long before we finally reach the summit.
The descent from Skala is easier, mostly walking terrain. Initially steep and exposed, it quickly becomes more moderate. As throughout the tour, the route is well marked. Gradually the landscape changes as we approach the tree line. At 2,100 metres, the Spilios Agapitos Hut sits directly on the trail. The food is excellent and we enjoy a long break. Tip: the Mount Olympus tour can also be started from Prionia. Travellers tackling the route in reverse can stay overnight at Spilios Agapitos.
Eventually we have to continue. Around 1,000 metres of descent still lie ahead. Although the path is pleasant and direct, it takes a lot of time. Winding through mountain forest, it feels endless until at last we reach Prionia. A hut here serves food and drink, and we gratefully enjoy a cold refreshment or two. Our legs are weary, but we have completed the traverse of Mount Olympus and are delighted with our achievement.
After a short rest, we head to the car park. Anyone leaving here is bound for Litochoro, so we hope for a lift. The people are friendly and helpful, and fortune smiles on us. Within minutes, we meet two German holidaymakers with a rental car, who kindly offer us a ride.
Conclusion: The Mount Olympus Tour
In Greek mythology, this is the realm of the gods, and anyone who has stood beneath the peaks rising almost three thousand metres will understand why the mountain is steeped in legend. Visitors can expect alpine challenges and awe-inspiring scenery.
Mount Olympus offers countless hiking routes and demanding climbs. Though compact, the range provides remarkable variety. I first visited with my parents at the age of fifteen. Since then, I have reached Mytikas twice more, and I would gladly tackle the tour again. Fun fact: apart from the Black Forest and the Vosges, I have never returned to any mountain as often.
So if you are looking for an alpine adventure within reach of both beach and culture, Mount Olympus and the ascent of Mytikas are waiting for you.
