4.8

Climb Mount Olympus (2918m) (2020 archive)

Summit the highest mountain in Greece and stand on top of the 'Mountain of the Gods'

What's Included?

  • Maximum group size: 8Join small n’ sociable groups of like-minded, active and outdoorsy people – designed to be solo-friendly

Fromexcluding flights

Highlights

  • Climb to the summit of Mt Olympus (2918m), one of the world's most famous peaks

  • Explore the beautiful and varied landscape of the legendary home of the Greek gods

  • Ascend and descend along different trails to ensure a unique and unforgettable experience each day

Itinerary

    Day 1

    Kakkalos Refuge (2650m)

    Hiking
    8-9hrs · 7mi · 5249ft up
    Mountain hut
    Mixed dorm
    Show Day 1 detail

    Meet your guide in the main square of Litochoro and drive to the trailhead at Prionia (1100m.) Meander through a forest of pine, fir and birch and meet hikers from all over the world, before breaking through the treeline and getting a stunning view of the many summits of Mount Olympus. Push on to the refuge at (2650m) and relax with a hot meal and a view over the Plateau of Muses.

    Day 2

    Summit Mount Olympus (Mytikas 2918m)

    Hiking
    8-9hrs · 7mi · 879ft up · 5906ft down
    Show Day 2 detail

    After an early breakfast, your guide will decide which of the two potential summits to attempt based on weather conditions and the group's fitness. The first option is to ascend Skala Peak (2882m) and cross a narrow ridge to the adjacent Skolio Peak (2911m). The tougher option is to attempt the mountain's highest summit, Mytikas (2918m,) but with a couple of hundred meters of exposed scrambling at the end, this route will be a challenge. Either way, you'll enjoy some incredible views over the surrounding gorges and peaks before descending along a different trail to the Gkortsia trailhead, where you’ll return to Litochoro in time for onward travel.

Practical Stuff

Getting There

Nearest airport
Thessaloniki Macedonia International Airport (SKG)
Pick up
Central Litochoro
8:00am on Day 1
Drop off
Central Litochoro
18:00 on Day 2

Detailed Logistics

Transfers

Your host will meet you in the centre of Litochoro, a small town at the base of Mount Olympus.

Travel options

We reccommend flying into Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) the day before the start time. It takes around 1.5 hours to get to Litochoro from there. Feel free to book any departing flight that leaves after 22:00 on the last day.

What is and isn't Included?

What's included

Local, English-speaking mountain guide

1 night in a mountain refuge

To and from Litochoro and the trailhead

Optional Extras

Rental Car

Rental Car Audi A4 (or similar)
…/per night

Transfers

Litohoro to Kalambaka/Meteora (One Way)
Thessaloniki Airport Transfer (Return)

To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.

All extras must be paid before your trip starts.

Ratings & Reviews

4.810 reviews
  • 3 stars (0)
  • 2 stars (0)
  • 1 star (0)

Category rating

Latest Reviews

  • Laura

    Beautiful mountain, great guide, perfect weather. The perfect balance between challenging and enjoyable!

  • Suzanne

    The guide, the refuge, the mountain were great!

  • Euan

    The scenery, the food at the refuges and the chance to try some rock climbing were great.

  • Jia

    The views were great.

  • Adrian

    The weather was perfect. We were so lucky to have a summit day that was not only free of rain but also clear.

  • Alex

    Our guide Giannis was knowledgeable, friendly and funny - even taking time to show us Mt Olympus' oldest tree on the descent. The climb to Mytikas was a rewarding challenge; this was my first time climbing with ropes and helmets and it was great fun! The accommodation on the mountain was more than you would typically expect - good, reasonably priced food and drink and comfy beds. We spent the evening exploring some of the smaller peaks, including one with a church on, which I would recommend doing. Overall, a fantastic trip!

  • Adam

    The autumn colours were great.

  • Victor

    Mt Olympus was great.

  • Araitz

    We felt safe with the guide (+20yrs of experience in the mountain), the views, the mountain hut’s food was amazing.

  • G

    This has to be my favourite trip so far; not only did we luck out with the weather, but the scenery was fantastic, and I loved hiking in woods and obviously, achieving Olympus's summit! The fact that I got up there was down to the excellent, professional guides who were so sweet and great company to boot. Thanasis and Bob couldn't have been more kind, and more attentive to make sure I felt comfortable scrambling along sheer rock faces, even if I was clutching Bob's hand an awful lot of the way back down, haha. I never felt unsafe once, given that they were both so safety conscious, with helmets and ropes, and with Thanasis being a mountain rescuer in his other job! Thanks guys, I salute you!

4.810 reviews
  • 5 stars (8)
  • 4 stars (2)
  • 3 stars (0)
  • 2 stars (0)
  • 1 star (0)
Showing all 10 reviews
  • Beautiful mountain, great guide, perfect we...

    Laura October 2019
    Beautiful mountain, great guide, perfect weather. The perfect balance between challenging and enjoyable!
  • The guide, the refuge, the mountain were gr...

    Suzanne September 2019
    The guide, the refuge, the mountain were great!
  • The scenery, the food at the refuges and th...

    Euan July 2019
    The scenery, the food at the refuges and the chance to try some rock climbing were great.
  • The views were great....

    Jia July 2019
    The views were great.
  • The weather was perfect. We were so lucky t...

    Adrian July 2019
    The weather was perfect. We were so lucky to have a summit day that was not only free of rain but also clear.
  • Our guide Giannis was knowledgeable, friend...

    Alex July 2019
    Our guide Giannis was knowledgeable, friendly and funny - even taking time to show us Mt Olympus' oldest tree on the descent. The climb to Mytikas was a rewarding challenge; this was my first time climbing with ropes and helmets and it was great fun! The accommodation on the mountain was more than you would typically expect - good, reasonably priced food and drink and comfy beds. We spent the evening exploring some of the smaller peaks, including one with a church on, which I would recommend doing. Overall, a fantastic trip!
  • The autumn colours were great....

    Adam October 2018
    The autumn colours were great.
  • Mt Olympus was great....

    Victor August 2018
    Mt Olympus was great.
  • We felt safe with the guide (+20yrs of expe...

    Araitz July 2018
    We felt safe with the guide (+20yrs of experience in the mountain), the views, the mountain hut’s food was amazing.
  • This has to be my favourite trip so far; no...

    G June 2018
    This has to be my favourite trip so far; not only did we luck out with the weather, but the scenery was fantastic, and I loved hiking in woods and obviously, achieving Olympus's summit! The fact that I got up there was down to the excellent, professional guides who were so sweet and great company to boot. Thanasis and Bob couldn't have been more kind, and more attentive to make sure I felt comfortable scrambling along sheer rock faces, even if I was clutching Bob's hand an awful lot of the way back down, haha. I never felt unsafe once, given that they were both so safety conscious, with helmets and ropes, and with Thanasis being a mountain rescuer in his other job! Thanks guys, I salute you!

Before You Travel

What to Pack

Backpack with hiking gear laid out

Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.

Kit List

What do I need to bring?
  • Large, comfortable backpack (65-85 liters) with padded straps and waist belt (internal frame preferred)
  • Waterproof liner for keeping clothing dry
  • 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 poly-cotton 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 night, although blankets will also be available.
  • Sunglasses, towel, sun hat or cap, sun block
  • Wash bag and simple first aid kit (plasters or blister kit, aspirin or similar, antiseptic)
  • Camera
  • Torch (head torch if you have one)
  • Walking sticks
  • Your own personal water bottle

FAQs

There is a mountain spring in Prionia and another around 45 minutes further on where you can refuel your bottle. There are no other springs close to the hiking routes so bringing enough water with you is essential. Alternatively you can buy a bottle of water at the refuge for €1 - €2, however, please remember to take this with you when you leave the mountain to keep this beautiful landscape as clean and perfect as possible.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however, we would suggest €50 per day as a guideline for each group.

Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Any excess luggage can be safely left at your local host's trekking office in Litochoro.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates daily, so prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

  • 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
  • 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
  • 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre program, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

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