Olympus

August 22-23

Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and the second highest in the Balkans, with an altitude of 2918 meters. Its imposing shape, the diverse charm of its nature, its towering peaks filled with mist and clouds, created such awe and admiration among the ancient Greeks that they soon began to form stories and legends about this unique mountain.

A natural, beautiful earthly paradise on the borders of Macedonia and Thessaly. A magnet for mountaineers worldwide. Rocky, steep peaks, deep ravines, gorges, streams, alpine meadows, and dense forests compose this rare mosaic with images of unique beauty. The first ascent to Mytikas was made on August 2, 1913, by two Franco-Swiss individuals, the renowned photographer Frederic Boissonas and the art historian Daniel Baud-Bovy, guided by the hunter and mountaineer Christos Kakkalos.

Mount Olympus was the first area in Greece to be declared a National Park in 1938, and in 1981, it was designated by UNESCO as a “Biosphere Reserve”. According to Homer, the twelve gods resided in the gorges of Olympus, where their palaces are located. The Pantheon (the highest peak, Mytikas) is their meeting point and where their intense discussions took place. Zeus’s throne (the Stefani peak) exclusively hosts the “Father of gods and men”, Zeus. At the foothills of Olympus, 5 km from the sea, lies Dion, a sacred city of the ancient Greeks dedicated to the Dodecatheon.

Later, Olympus also had a tumultuous history. During the Ottoman rule, the mountain served as a hideout and base for famous klephts and armatoloi.

In more recent times, after 1900, bandits operated here. During the German invasion in 1941, the Greek army, along with New Zealand and Australian units, fought significant battles. Immediately after, the National Resistance found refuge here, while a little later in Litochoro, the spark that led to the tragic civil strife was ignited.

One of the most popular routes leading to the high peaks of Mount Olympus starts from Gortisa or Diastavrosi, which is 14 km from Litochoro, on the way to Prionia. It is the well-known mule track used by muleteers who supply the refuges of the Muses Plateau with provisions using their mules.

At the 14th km of the Litochoro-Prionia route, on our right, a narrow road ascends, leading to a car park. We follow the well-marked trail, heading northwest, moving through a beautiful forest of beeches and firs. Before departure, it is essential to stock up on plenty of water, as there is no continuously flowing spring on the trail. Starting from this trail and passing through landscapes of incredible beauty and diversity, we reach the Muses Plateau, and from there, through alpine landscapes and arid areas, we can continue our way towards the peaks.

For many, Olympus remains inaccessible and mysterious, challenging visitors to discover the truth of its legends for themselves, but at the same time, never to forget that on Olympus, “humans can… only when the Gods allow it”.

Day 1

Our meeting will be in Litochoro square at 8:00 AM, and we will continue by car to the Gortisa area at 1050m altitude.

We load our backpacks and begin our hike through a forest of beeches, and later firs and Bosnian pines, leading us to the Petrostrouga refuge at 2050m.

From there, the landscape gradually becomes alpine, and as you walk, your eyes wander to the surrounding peaks until we reach the Muses Plateau at 2550m.

Time for lunch and rest at the Giosos Apostolidis refuge at 2697m.

Afternoon hike to Prophet Elias peak (2803 m), from where the view of Katerini captivates us.

Overnight stay in a refuge. 6 – 7 hours of hiking

Day 2

Breakfast with a view of Stefani peak of Olympus to gather strength for our ascent to Mytikas, the highest peak in Greece.

We cross the Zonaria, getting a taste of the imposing Stefani, and then enter the Louki, which will lead us to Mytikas, the highest peak in Greece, at an altitude of 2918 m.

The view from the summit is breathtaking, and we understand why the gods chose this place as their abode. Our route then descends with a short stop at the Agapitos refuge at 2100m for a coffee, and then we conclude our hike at Prionia at 1100m. 8 hours of hiking

Essential equipment: