Mount Olympus Trail

A compact, two-day ascent to Greece’s highest summit combining forest tracks and exposed scrambling.

Time to Hike: Two days, about 18 km round trip. Typical itinerary is Prionia to Spilios Agapitos Refuge then up to Mytikas and back, sleeping in the refuge on the ridge.

Best Time to Go: Late spring to early autumn - generally May to October for snow-free routes and open mountain services.

Getting there: Reach the trailhead via Litochoro on the coast; public buses and taxis run from Thessaloniki and regional towns to Litochoro, then on to Prionia by road or trail.

Costs: Low transport and village accommodation costs; expect a modest fee for the mountain refuge and pay for dinner/bed during high season. No special permits required but refuge beds should be reserved in summer.

Difficulty: Steep forest and scree trails with short exposed scrambling near the summit; route reaches about 2,917 m so plan for altitude gain, rocky steps, loose stone and sudden weather changes.

Mount Olympus rises abruptly from the Aegean coast into a compact high-alpine zone of beech and fir forests, steep gullies and sheer limestone ridges. The walk climbs through wooded lower slopes, opens onto high meadows and culminates on a jagged summit group with striking vertical walls.

Highlights are the dawn or late-afternoon views from Mytikas, the highest point, and the atmosphere of the busy but atmospheric Spilios Agapitos Refuge where hikers base for the summit push. The exposed final sections require surefootedness and basic scrambling but no technical climbing gear in normal summer conditions.

Thessaloniki is the nearest major airport, about 90 to 120 minutes by road to the base town of Litochoro. Regular KTEL buses and occasional regional coaches serve Litochoro, and many hikers book a taxi or local transfer onward to Prionia trailhead at roughly 1,100 m.

Most walkers approach from the east via Litochoro and Prionia and return the same way. Follow marked paths up to the refuge then the summit route; most people climb overnight to reach the summit on day two for an early start.

Mount Olympus is generally walkable from May through October, though snow can linger at the highest altitudes into early summer on shaded northern faces. The peak summer months are busiest and the refuge may be full on weekends, so book beds in advance.

No formal permit is required for the route, but the Spilios Agapitos Refuge and other services have seasonal opening dates and seat limits. Expect rapidly changing mountain weather - bring warm layers, sun protection and check recent route conditions before attempting the exposed summit sections.