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Experience a magnificent hiking activity in Olympus, the mountain of the ancient Greek gods! A complete 4-day unique tour that will refresh your senses and clear your mind!
Activity duration
4 Days
Difficulty level
3rd (Hike)- 4th (Peak Acsent)
Implementation period
June – October
Minimum number of participants
1 person

The Activity

Experience a magnificent hiking activity in Olympus, the mountain of the ancient Greek gods! A complete 4-day unique hiking tour that will refresh your senses and clear your mind!This hiking vacation package is addressed to the real mountain lovers who will enjoy a daily 3-7 hours trekking on the pathways of the mountain and will be accommodated in the mountain refuges.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 4

Day 1

Litochoro & Walk to Refuge Petrostrouga, alt. 1.940 m

Upon arrival to Litochoro you will meet your guide and the rest of the group. We will then get transferred to Gkortsia crossway, from where we will begin our hike, at an altitude of 1.100 metres.

The route from Gkortsia to Petrostrougka Refuge is one of the two most frequented hiking paths on Mount Olympus. Most of the hiking is through a thick forest of pine, beech and fir trees. The path is in good condition. We will make our way up to 1.940 m alt. and reach the refuge.

Estimated Walking Time: approx. 3 hours

Day 2

Plateau of the Muses – Refuge Ch. Kakkalos, alt. 2,700

From the refuge we will follow a zig-zag path that will bring us straight to the Plateau of the Muses, where a small but friendly refuge will accommodate us ( 2 hrs walk ).

This is an easy hiking day but in a totally breathtaking scenery! After lunch and relaxing, we will climb to a small peak – named Profitis Ilias and Toumba – just above our refuge to admire the superb views of Mt Olympus summits and its deep gorges ( 2 hrs round trip ). An alpine plato at an altitude of 2700 m where a small but friendly refuge will accommodate us.

Estimated Walking Time 4 – 6 hours

Day 3

Peak ascents – Refuge A (Spilios Agapitos) alt. 2.100 m

From there we have two alternative options, according to the group’s fitness and weather conditions: Before reaching the summit we will ascent to the main path and crossing the spectacular precipice under the summit of Stefani – the throne of Zeus.

We will either climb first Skala at 2.882 meters and then crossing a narrow ridge climb to the summit of Skolio at 2.911meters ( 4-5 hrs walking on narrow paths – some scrambling involved – altitude gain of 800m ).

Or if the weather permits it and there is no snow, we will ascent to the main summit – Mytikas (2.917meters), Greece’s highest peak, following a narrow gorge ( it involves about 150 m of scrambling). Then, we will follow the sort path which leads to refuge A at 2.100m, they call this shelter “balcony of Greece” ( 2 hrs walk ).

We will use this afternoon for leisure and resting because the next day will be demanding.

Estimated Walking Time 4- 6 hours

Day 4

Refuge A- Prionia – Enipeas gorge – Litochoro

For our tour’s last day, we will follow the E4 international path until Litochoro, and after an easy walk we wil stop at Prionia, the highest point which can be reached by car. Later we will enter the Enippeas gorge, passing a cave-chapel and the monastery of St. Dionysus, as well as taking advantage of several swimming opportunities en route in a few gorgeous natural pools.

After about seven hours of hiking, the gorge opens up on the outskirts of Litochoro. The route is quite tiring, but the varied geological features, the small lakes with crystal waters and the sheer mountain slopes provide a rare beauty and this experience will be totally rewarding!

Estimated Walking Time 6 – 7 hours

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.
  • The old monastery of Agios Dionysios
  • The Holy Cave, where Saint Dionysios of Olympus practiced asceticism
  • The morphology of the canyon with the waterfalls and pedestals
  • The Vythos location
Meeting point and time

At Litochoro square, 9.00 am here.

Price

Participation fee (Private Tours): 

  • 1 guest  960 €
  • 2 guests  520 €
  • 3 guests 380 €
  • 4 guests 350 €
  • 5 guests 330 €
  • 6 guests 300 €
  • 7-8 guests 280 €
  • 9 guests 260 €
  • 10 guests 240 €
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
  • 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: 8-80 years

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: 120€. Includes: 3 breakfast, 4 lunch packs, 3 Dinner
  • HB supplement: 75€. Includes: 3 breakfast, 3 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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