4 Days Hike Olympus

4 Days Hike Olympus is a magnificent 4-day tour to explore one f the most legendary mountains of Greece. Mt. Olympus!

The highest mountain in Greece, located in northern Greece. Mt. Olympus is a natural boundary between the prefectures of Macedonia and Thessaly. Its highest point is the summit of Mytikas at 2.918 m. It is a place of divine beauty, notable in Greek mythology as the home of the Greek Gods. Its proximity to the coastline overlooking the Aegean Sea offers breathtaking views and a characteristic silvery mist that creates a unique atmosphere.

In 1938 it was declared Greece’s first National Park due to its exceptional biodiversity and rich flora. A monumental natural landscape. Thickly forested slopes and steep rocky and cloud-covered peaks, hosting more than 1.500 plant species, some of them rare and endemic, as well as wolves, jackals, deer, and some endangered bird and butterfly species. The mountain is uninhabited, however, there are 4 organized mountain huts offering shelter and food to its visitors, that stream from all over the world to admire its beauties.

On our 4 Days Hike Olympus tour we will have the opportunity to explore this majestic mountain and enjoy its unspoiled nature and breathtaking views! We will hike and spend the night in cozy mountain huts taking in the starry night sky!

ITINERARY: 

DAY 1: LITOCHORO & HIKE TO MOUNTAIN HUT PETROSTROUGA, ALT. 1,940 M.

Estimated hiking time: approx. 3 hours

Arrive in Litochoro main square (Trekking Hellas Base) to meet the guide and the rest of the hiking group. Transfer to Gortsia, from where we begin our hike, at an altitude of 1,100 meters. The route from Gortsia to the Petrostrouga mountain hut is one of the two most frequently used hiking trails on Mount Olympus. The biggest part of this hike goes through thick forests of pine, beech, and fir trees, and is in good condition. We make our way up to an altitude of 1,940 meters and reach the mountain hut Petrostrouga.

DAY 2: PLATEAU OF THE MUSES - MOUNTAIN HUT CH. KAKALOS OR GIOSOS APOSTOLIDIS, ALT. 2,700 M.

Estimated hiking time: approx. 2 hours

We enjoy an easy-going day taking in the breathtaking scenery Mount Olympus offers. Setting off from the mountain hut we take a meandering trail that leads us to the Plateau of the Muses in approximately 2 hours. After a relaxed lunch, we climb the lower peak (alt. 2,803 meters) Profitis Ilias, named after the chapel of the Prophet Ilias that lies there.

DAY 3: PEAK ASCENT - MOUNTAIN HUT SPILIOS AGAPITOS ALT. 2,100 M.

Estimated hiking time: approx. 4-6 hours

Today we have two options, depending on the fitness level of our participants and local weather conditions at the time. Our first option is to climb to Skala at an altitude of 2,882 meters, cross a narrow ridge and then climb to the summit of Skolio at an altitude of 2,911 meters (4-5 hours hiking and/or scramble on narrow paths with an altitude gain of 800 meters). Our second option provided the weather allows and snow conditions are right, is to ascent the highest summit, Mytikas at an altitude of 2,917 meters, following a narrow gorge (this part requires around 1 km of scrambling). After summiting we take the trail leading to the mountain hut Spilios Agapitos at 2,100 meters in around 2 hours. This location is known as “the balcony of Greece”. We enjoy a relaxing afternoon and rest as the next day is rather challenging.

DAY 4: MOUNTAIN HUT SPILIOS AGAPITOS - PRIONIA - ENIPEAS GORGE - LITOCHORO

Estimated hiking time: approx. 6-7 hours

Today we follow the E4 European path that leads us back to our starting point, Litochoro. After tackling the first and easy part of the hike to Prionia we enter the magnificent Enipeas Gorge. We pass by the cave-chapel and monastery of Saint Dionysus and don’t miss the opportunity to take refreshing swims in the lagoons crated by the mountain river Enipeas. To complete the whole Enipeas Gorge it takes around 7 hours of hiking. The trail leads us back to the outskirts of Litochoro. This route is quite challenging, but the natural beauty of the surroundings surely is the biggest reward.

NOTES:

Starting and finishing point of the tour is the village of Litochoro in the foothills of Mount Olympus.

Coming from abroad, the closest airport is in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, from where Litochoro is not more than a 1,5 hours’ drive (91,5klm/56miles). Coming from Athens, it is an approximate 5-6 hours’ drive (415klm/257miles) and thus it would be best to arrive a day in advance and spend the night in Litochoro. In case you need assistance with hotel bookings, or any other services required we would be pleased to be of assistance.

From Mid May to Mid June in case of heavy snowfall in the paths, we offer an alternative route from Petrostrouga to Spilios Agapitos to the peaks and back to Prionia.

The difficulty level of hike/day:

• Day 1: difficulty level 3
• Day 2: difficulty level 4
• Day 3: difficulty level 3

Period of Operation: End / Mid May to October

Price:

• 400€/pp for 4 participants
• 450€/pp for min 3 participants
• 550€/pp for min 2 participants 

Participation requirements

On this tour we walk for about 3-4 hours during the first day, 6-7 hours the next day, and 8-9 hours on the third and last day, mostly following good forest trails. Above the tree line, the terrain varies from grassy uplands to rocky ridges, with some scrambling required for the peak ascents. A good level of fitness and experience is required to climb the peak and the guide reserves the right to make the final decision on whether to summit.