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Mt. Olympus Hiking Adventure - Trekking in Greece

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Holidays in Greece? Live it to the maximum by exploring Mt. Olympus, hiking at one of the most beautiful and historically rich areas of Greece. Our tour guides will be happy to show you all of its secrets!
Activity duration
3 Days
Difficulty level
3 (Hike)- 4 (Peak Acsent)
Implementation period
June to October
Minimum number of participants
1 person

The Activity

The 3-day Olympus “adventure” is an experience of a lifetime for people who want to discover and experience the secret beauties of the “divine” mountain. Hikers will enjoy the unique natural beauty of Olympus by hiking daily for 4-7 hours and will experience absolute tranquility looking the sky at night and the amazing view of the mountain from the huts where we will spend the night. A unique hiking experience with impressive changes in the natural landscape with steep slopes, ravines with dense vegetation and ravines with crystal clear waters, fields in the alpine zone, mountain tops with excellent views. Finally, the ascent to the highest peak of Olympus, Mytikas at 2,918m using special equipment (helmets, seat belts, rope) provided by our company for your safety.

The area

Mount Olympus is known worldwide as the home of the 12 gods of Ancient Greek Mythology.It is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular mountains to climb because of the unique natural environment, the rich flora and fauna and the endless view of the Aegean Sea with its sandy shores. Olympus is the first area of Greece to be given a special protection status and declared a National Park in 1938. Also, UNESCO declared Olympus a “Preservable Ecosystem of the World Biosphere” in 1980 and it is listed in the European Natura 2000 Network as “special protection zone” and “site of community interest”.

The History

The history of Olympus begins long ago, from the Iron Age, in the 11th century BC, where prehistoric people inhabited its foothills. There, were created the legends about the Dodekatheos of the ancient Greeks who lived in palaces in its gorges, “the folds of Olympus” according to Homer. They had a meeting point at the Pantheon, the peak of Mytika, while the throne of Zeus was today’s Stefani. From the ancient times, many battles were fought in Olympus for the control of the wider area until the years of the Turkish occupation, when it was a hideout of famous revolutionary thieves and armatolis and the more recent history of Greece, the period of the 2nd world war and the National Resistance. The ancient Greeks never attempted to conquer the summit of Olympus, as evidenced by the absence of archaeological finds. The first historical ascent and conquest of the highest peak of Olympus was made in 1913 by the Swiss Frédéric Boissonnat and Daniel Beau Bovi, with the help of a wild goat hunter from Litochoro, Christos Kakalos who was the first of the three to climb Mytika.

Nature and People

The National Forest of Olympus is one of the richest flora areas in Greece with 1700 species and subspecies of plants of which 56 are endemic and 23 are local endemic plants, i.e. they are found only on Olympus. It also has a rich fauna with many insects, rare birds and mammals. The area of Olympus is the refuge for many species of carnivorous and herbivorous mammals and birds of prey. 32 species of mammals and 108 species of birds have been recorded, while there are a few species that are threatened with extinction by human activities and changing climatic conditions.

You can combine this program with a few great daily activities around Mt. Olympus!

Itinerary

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

Day 1

Litochoro – Gkortsia – Petrostrougga – Plateau of the Muses

Estimated Walking Time: approx. 7-8 hours

After the meeting in the square of Litochoros, we drive 13.5 Km to Gortsias at an altitude of 1,123m where the path for one of the most basic routes of Olympus begins. After a hike of about 2.5 hours and passing through characteristic points such as Barba, Koka, Strangos, we arrive at the Petrostruga shelter, at an altitude of 1,940m for a short stop.

We continue our route to Skourta (2,476m), Laimos and Pass of Iossos where we can see the magical plateau of the Muses. At the intersection that follows, we take the path that leads to the shelter of G. Apostolidis where we will spend the night at one of the shelters on the Moussa plateau.

Transfer: 13,5 km Hiking Distance: 13,5 km Time: 7 – 8 hours hours Ascent: 1609 m  Descent: -114 m   Min. Height: 1123 m Max. Height: 2724m

Day 2

Plateau of the muses – Mitikas Peak – Refuge Spilios Agapitos ( Refuge A )

Estimated Walking Time 3,5- 4,5 hours

On the second day we wake up early and after breakfast we start for the top of Mytikas (2,918m). The climb to the top requires extra effort and above all you must not have altitude sickness. With the use of safety equipment we will reach the top of the highest mountain in Greece, from where we will enjoy the unique view of the peaks of Olympus and the Olympic coast.

Then, after enjoying the magnificent view and signing the visitor’s book, we descend and follow the path to the Spilios Agapitos refuge. After a short stop we continue the path to Prionia where the car will be waiting for us to take us back to Litochoro. We must know that the decision to climb to the top is up to the guide depending on the weather conditions and the physical condition of the participants. The ascent to Mytikas is done using special equipment (helmets, harnesses, rope) provided by our company for your safety. Then, after enjoying the magnificent view and signing the visitor’s book, we descend and follow the path to the Spilios Agapitos refuge (2,100m) where we will spend the night. This path is also called “short” because it shortens the distance from the Plateau of the Muses to the Sp. Agapitos shelter and crosses the mountain at a lower altitude than the alternative route of Zonaria.

Day 3

 Refuge Spilios Agapitos ( Refuge A ) – Prionia -Litochoro

Estimated Walking Time 3 – 4 hours

The third day is more relaxed. After our breakfast at the refuge we start our descent from the mountain. There after an overwhelming route, following the European Path E4, we arrive at Prionia (1,100m) where the car will be waiting for us to take us back to Litochoro.

Highlight of the trip!

  • The magical view from the top of Mytikas (2,918m)
  • The mountain refuges (Jios Apostolidis, Spilios Agapitos, Petrostruga, Prionia).
  • The enchanting nature with the rich flora and fauna
  • The morphology of the mountain with its constant changes.

 

Guaranteed departure dates

June:

July:

August:

September:

October:

Meeting point and time

At Litochoro square, at 9.00 am here

Price

Participation fee (Private Tours):

  • 1 guest 760 €
  • 2 guests 440 €
  • 3 guests 300 €
  • 4 guests 280 €
  • 5-8 guests 260 €
  • 9 persons and more: please contact us to get an offer

Participation fee (Fixed Departure Tours): 320€ per guest

Included
  • Accommodation in the refuges on Mt. Olympus
  • All necessary equipment for peak ascent to Mytikas
  • Greek Adventure English speaking guide
  • All the guide’s expenses
  • Transfer Litochoro – Prionia – Litochoro
  • All Taxes
Not included
  • Personal expenses
  • Drinks and beverages
  • Meals
  • Optional gratuities to leader
  • Guides and local staff
  • Transport from Athens or other towns to / from Litochoro
  • Overnight taxes
Participation terms
  • Physical and mental health
  • Basic fitness
  • Completing a participation document
  • Prepayment of participation Notes
Notes
  • Please note that this itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the tour leader, according to local and weather conditions.
  • As Mt. Olympus is a challenging walk and the safety of our clients always comes first, our guides retain the decision if clients are to actually climb the peak of Mytikas. This will depend on both the clients’ abilities and weather conditions. In case of snow, the ascent to Mytikas is not possible.
  • The trip starts and ends in Litochoro. For travel arrangements to / from Litochoro or accommodation in Litochoro please contact us.

Suitable for ages: 8-70 years

Additional Services:

Extra services:

Transfer:

  • Transfer to the point where the activity starts at a cost of €10/person from the area of Platamonas, Leptokaryas, Litochoro. The cost of transportation from other points is determined by agreement.

Meals:

  • FB supplement: 90€. Includes: 2 breakfast, 3 lunch packs, 2 Dinner
  • HB supplement: 50€. Includes: 2 breakfast, 2 Dinner

Extra Services on Request:

  • Rent Hiking Poles 10€ / Day / Pair
  • Rent Liner (sleeping sheet) 7€ / Day / Liner
  • Rent Sleeping Bag (Sleeping Bag ) 10€ / Day / Sleeping Bag
  • Rent Hiking Backpack 60-70 L 15€ / Day / Backpack

What participants should have with them:

Please try to travel as light as possible; remember that you must carry everything you bring on all the days’ walk.

  • Large, comfortable rucksack (60-70 litres) with padded straps and waist belt, internal frame preferred; waterproof liner recommended to keep clothing, etc. dry inside.
  • 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 polycotton 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 overnights in the refuge, although blankets will be available.
  • Sunglasses, towel, sun hat or cap, sun block
  • Penknife
  • Water bottle
  • Wash bag and simple first aid kit (plasters or blister kit, aspirin or similar, antiseptic)
  • Photographers: bring your cameras
  • Torch (head torch if you have one)
  • Walking sticks

 

Frequantly Asked Questions (FAQ)

Should I have water with me and how much?
During the activity we will not find drinking water (spring or tap). We suggest that each participant has their own 1 to 1.5 liters of water. It is possible to buy bottled water at the shelters.

Do I have to have food with me?
Around the middle of the route there will be a stop at shelters where it is possible to buy snacks. Alternatively, we can have some snacks with us (cereal bar, fruit, cookies, etc.) that will give us the necessary energy until the end of the hike.

How is the ground in this activity?
The walking is done on mountain paths with small to moderate relative gradients, where with a little care there will be no problem, except for the climb to the top, which we will need to use our hands to climb.

What shoes are good to have?
The path is relatively smooth so we recommend hiking shoes, preferably boots.

What clothes should I have for the activity? Because the temperature on the mountain, even in a period that usually has good weather, is low especially at night, we would recommend light clothing for the ascent but definitely a light jacket (waterproof-windproof) and a fleece for the places where we will make stops, overnight stay and for the summit.

Do I have to have any specialized equipment for the activity?
These are just what we mention above. The mountaineering equipment we will need to safely climb to the top will be provided by our company at the shelter before the top.

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