Climbing Mount Olympus: A Complete Guide with Transportation Options, Mountain Routes, Places to Stay and Important Safety Tips During the Expedition
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Mount Olympus in Greece has always attracted travelers. Olympus is one of the central symbols of Greek mythology. According to legends, it is a sacred place where the gods themselves lived, led by the mighty Zeus.
Today, Mount Olympus is a National Park that has become home to some of the rarest flora and fauna.
Of the 1700 species of vegetation on Mount Olympus, 23 are unique in their kind. That is, they are found only here, on the slopes of the majestic mountain of the ancient Greek gods.
In today’s article I want to tell about this place, about my impressions from climbing Mount Olympus, to give advice to those who want to conquer the mountain independently or as part of an excursion group.
Olympus the mountain of the gods of Ancient Greece
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain peak in Greece with an altitude of 2917. Officially, Mount Olympus belongs to the region of Thessaly, but serves as the natural border of the region with Greek Macedonia.
It is about 20 kilometers from the Aegean coast. The city of Dion, located on the northern slope of the mountain, is a sanctuary of the Macedonians and translates as the city of Zeus.
Mount Olympus itself comprises an array of four major peaks, more than 1,700 canyons, and a plateau on the border of Thessaly and Greek Macedonia.
The highest of the Olympic peaks, Mount Mytikas (2917 meters), is also the highest point in Greece. Slightly lower are the peaks of Skolio (2912 m) and Stephani (2905 m).
View from Mount Olympus
Stephanie has a second, equally beautiful name – “The Throne of Zeus”. It is especially interesting to look at it from afar. If you stand relative to this peak at a certain angle, the mountain strikingly resembles the back of a huge throne or chair. In 1938, this part of the mountain range was the first in Greece to receive the status of “National Park”.
Much later, in 1981, the entire Olympus was declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, and in 1985 it was included in the list of “Archaeological and Historical Heritage”.
And it is not surprising, because Mount Olympus is a real reserve of flora, fauna and one of the most valuable ornithological sites in Europe.
While climbing this protected land, you can easily meet rare birds and animals, make incredible photos, admire rare plants, and be filled with the energy and inspiration of this place.
The national park delights with unique views from the heights, no matter what point you could reach – any route is interesting in its landscape and will leave impressions for years to come.
During the climb up Mount Olympus, new and increasingly impressive views gradually open up – at one point you can even see the sea
Where Mount Olympus is located and how to get there
Mount Olympus is located in the northeast of Thessaly in the village of Litochoro. This mountain system once served as the border between Macedonia and Thessaly.
Location of Mount Olympus on the map
By bus
For those traveling without a car, there is a convenient option to get to Litochoro by bus. There are daily bus services from the bus stations of the two cities of Athens and Thessaloniki.
- From Athens there are only 3-4 flights a day;
- but you can catch a bus in Thessaloniki every half hour.
In the past, to get to Litochoro you had to transfer to Katerini, but now many flights go directly to the foot of Olympus. We recommend leaving early in the morning, so that you can get a piece of the route in the morning.
There is also a train station in Litochoro, but it is located 6 km away from the town, in a clear field. Therefore, the bus service remains a favorite among independent travelers.
By car
Thessaloniki is the closest city to Olympus. If you decide to drive from there, stay on the E75 highway and take the Lithochoro exit. The length of the route will be just under 100 km. On the way, it is always useful to have a good navigation, which knows exactly all the small settlements and junctions leading to Mount Olympus.
Then you can choose to leave the car in Litochoro or drive it along the serpentine to the next point, the shelter of Prionia, a mountain village at an altitude of 1100 meters.
It may be useful: I have a great article on my website about renting a car in Greece, I suggest you take a few minutes and read it if you want to use this service.
Sign with map and information on the road to Olympus
What to see on Mount Olympus: my impressions from visiting this place
Mount Olympus has many peaks of different levels. Here are the three largest:
- Scolio, with an altitude of 2,912 meters.
- Mitikas, 2917 meters high.
- Stephani or “Throne of Zeus”, 2905 meters high.
Stephani was considered in ancient times to be the dwelling place of the supreme god Zeus. Indeed, if you look closely, the shape of this mountain resembles a throne. Therefore, it is the “Throne of Zeus”.
Scolio is the most popular among tourists, climbing which is not difficult even for a child. There are many comfortable hiking trails.
If you want to conquer Mount Olympus, you need to climb Mitikas, because it is the highest point of the ridge. The mountain route is easy to follow with the help of maps and signs. There are a great number of them on the way to the summit.
On the mountain you can even spend the night in a mountain shelter (rifuji). A bed costs 12 euros, and to pitch your tent in a designated place costs 4.2 euros.
Vegetation in the forests at the foot of Olympus
Briefly about the route of climbing Mount Olympus
The town of Litochoro (293 m above sea level) is located at the foot of the mountain and some travelers choose it as the starting point of their ascent. Here you can find the tourist center, where you will be provided with all the basic information necessary for the ascent.
For those who did not have time to stock up on water and snacks for a snack on the way, experienced travelers recommend to do it in the city. On the way there will be natural springs to fill empty bottles and wash up, but the climb is not the easiest and it is better to always have everything important for it (especially water!) with you.
The city of Litochoro at the foot of Olympus
The next significant point of ascent is the point “Prionia”, located at an altitude of 1100 meters. Those who choose to walk from Litochoro will cover the way on a hiking trail in no less than 4 hours, so many who are limited on time or save their energy choose to reach Prionia by cab. This is the highest point that can be reached by transportation.
Prionia has a good infrastructure for a break in the journey: there are toilets, a parking lot for those arriving by car, you can have lunch in a restaurant or stay overnight in the monastery of St. Dionysius.
A square in Litochoro town, where you can rest and take a small rest stop
Next, travelers take a course to the Refuge, Spilios Agapitos (2100 m), where the next island of civilization and resting point is located.
To get from Prionia to the Refuge, Refuge A (Spilios Agapitos) will take about 3.5 hours. Once there, you will find yourself on a cozy island in the middle of a forested area that will shelter you from the elements, be it windy or scorching heat.
And this is Refuge A (Spilios Agapitos). Nestled on a cliff
The shelter is a small complex built of stone, where there are sleeping places for travelers, as well as all amenities: reception, toilets and showers.
You can choose to stay in a room (they are arranged here on the principle of a hostel – a common space with several beds) or pitch your own tent in a specially designated area. There is also a small local restaurant with simple but hearty food.
The next morning you can continue your climb to one of the peaks. From here it is possible to climb up to the top of Skala, and from here you can take a course to Scolio and Mitikas. It is important to know that climbing Mitikas is not an easy way, and old-timers do not recommend climbing this peak at night or in bad weather.
My ascent of Mount Olympus
It was Monday, July 14, morning, and the streets of Thessaloniki were still covered by the saving shade, but the anticipation of the heat of the day was already making itself felt. Even at such an early hour on a working day, the street cafes were filled with people. Greeks smoked, talked and drank their strong coffee with ouzo or ice water. I decided to follow suit.
Further my way lay in the direction of the sacred for many – not only Greeks – Mount Olympus. There, at the foot of this mountain, in the small town of Litochoro, I had booked accommodation for two nights.
I got to Litochoro quickly, on a good, but toll road, in just an hour and a half. But it took another hour and a half to find the address I wanted.
Litochoro is quite a popular town for tourists who dream of conquering Olympus. Beautiful, neat and unique houses, narrow streets.
It was in these streets that I got lost, having just entered the city. Having lost hope to find the right street by car, I decided to leave my car at the first free parking place and went on foot.
It turned out that finding the right street and address was not only difficult for me, a tourist, but also for the locals. They simply do not know the names of the streets.
But Greeks are very responsive. My question about where this street was attracted five people. They discussed for a long time, argued, waved their hands, asked to show the address on paper, asked the name of the hotel, the name of the owner.
Finally, one elderly Greek said he would show me the way. It was already past noon. The sun was blazing, and I was drenched in sweat. It was good that my luggage was in the car.
After walking me around the city for about 10 minutes, my guide met an acquaintance, discussed my problem with him and said that he would take me further.
After half an hour and a half of searching I found the house I needed. I met with the owner and told him how difficult it was for us to find it. He showed me the apartment.
Now I had to find my car! But that was easier. During the two and a half days I spent in Litochoro, I gradually learned to navigate around it.
One of the squares of Litochoro, where I stayed
The next day, July 15, we were scheduled to climb Olympus. I thought to get up early, at 6 am, before it was hot enough to start climbing, so that I could descend in the evening. In fact, the flight, fatigue and the desire to sleep on vacation – took their toll and I went to meet the peaks only around 11 am.
On the way it is impossible not to stop by the monastery of St. Dionysius of Olympia. This is a new monastery. The old one was destroyed during the Second World War by the Germans for the fact that the monastery sheltered partisans, and stood in ruins until the 80s, until it began to rebuild.
So, the new monastery of Dionysius of Olympia is a very beautiful, quiet and peaceful (when there are few tourists), place. Here you can drink cold water from a spring and fill a water bottle.
The Monastery of Dionysius of Olympia
Then the way lies along mountain serpentines to the final point, where everyone leaves their cars – the place of Prionia. As I wrote above, it is located at an altitude of about 1100 meters above sea level.
Despite the time, and it was about noon, the surrounding landscape gave me a mystical horror. The thing is that the clouds were thickening and I was driving through thick gray fog on a forested mountain road.
It seemed that a monster or some wild beast would come flying towards me! But everything turned out safely and I reached Prionia.
Here you can stop for a snack at a local tavern. Then you walk on foot, or if you want, you can order a mule.
Mules on the mountain path of Olympus
Traces of these animals are found all the way to the top of Olympus. A little higher is the Blue Waterfall.
It took me about three and a half hours to climb to the height of 2100 meters, where the small hotel Spilios Agapitos is located. Many tourists make a stop here to climb to the top by dawn in the morning.
I didn’t plan to spend the night here, but I rewarded myself with a jug of Greek wine with bread and olives. The views along the way are amazing.
These were the views I had while climbing Olympus
It is difficult to get lost, the trail is marked with the sign E-4. In general, Olympus is not a mountain, but a mountain range of four main peaks and more than 1700 canyons and plateaus on the border of Thessaly and Macedonia. The highest of these peaks and the highest point in Greece is Mount Mytikas (2917 meters). It faces a deep abyss called Kazania (“Cauldron”).
Bizarre trees during the climb to Olympus
The descent was much easier, although my legs were starting to shake a little from fatigue by the end of the way. It took me two and a half hours to descend.
There was almost no one in Prionia, only a few mules were quietly munching hay, recovering their strength to take tourists up the mountain again the next day.
Before sunset, I still had time to stop by the old monastery of St. Dionysius, near which there is a spring, to get some delicious water here again.
Old Monastery of St. Dionysius
Practical advice for those who want to climb Mount Olympus
- Before traveling, check the detailed weather forecast for the time of your ascent. It is very dangerous to climb the slopes during or after rain.
- Take warm clothes, hats and even gloves with you, as there is a penetrating wind at the summit.
- When traveling independently, it is better to plan a hike for a few days with a stopover in the village of Litochoro.
- In the village of Litokhoro you can have a budget vacation by booking a place in a tent camp near the beach.
- There are regular buses from the local bus station towards the beach.
You may find it useful: see all hotels and apartments in Litochoro at this link