How to Climb Mt. Olympus

How to Climb Mt. Olympus

This is a record of our first trip to climb Mt. Olympus, Greece’s iconic mountain. We’ll endevour to include as much detail as possible from our 9 months of research prior to the trip and details of the trip itself.  If at the end of this blog you have any unanswered questions, please feel free to contact us.

The Summit of Skala 2866m in the mist!!

We are Mike and Jane, both qualified International Mountain Leaders working for an Organisation called Mountain Walking Holidays.  We were approached in November 2014 and asked if we could lead a trip to climb Mt. Olympus.  We do not routinely take people on routes that we haven’t already done so we set about researching the mountain and studying the map. This blog is about our first "recee" trip

The map to get

The map we got hold of and used for this trip was Mt Olympus,
1:25 000 published by Anavasi.  We bought it online from Stanfords in London. It’s a plastic rip proof map though by the end of the trip some of the printing was peeling off the base.  However due to the poor visibility we encountered it got a lot of use.

Mt Olympus has three peaks: Skala 2866m, Skolio 2905m and Mitikas  2918m. Both Skala and Skolio are accessable to walkers, Mitikas involves some easy but very exposed rock scrambling.

The usual starting point for a trip to climb Mt. Olympus is the small town of Litochoro.  From here depending oun your route it is normal to drive or take a taxi to one of the high starting points. We found a delightful guesthouse, The Palio Litohoro whose owner used to guide on Mt. Olympus. We stayed in Litochoro for the first and last night of the trip. The guesthouse looked after our travel bags whilst we were on the mountain.  The guesthouse also arranged a taxi to take us up to our starting point; around 30 Euro's each way.

Palio Litachoro Guesthouse, highly reccomended

Eating out in Litochorro is easy, there are plenty of restaurants listed on Trip Advisor. We found Meze Meze on the first night, it was so good that we ate there again on our last night. 

The Enipeas Gorge

Most people start their ascent from the road head at Prionia and ascend to “Hut A” for a night before making their ascent of Skala and possibly Mitikas before returning to Hut A for a second night. The descent to Prionia (where you can phone for a taxi) or a further 5 hour walk back to Litochoro via the spectacular Enipeas Gorge.

We had decided against an “in and out” trip favouring a journey through the mountain.  Our plan was to traverse the mountain and if possible take in all 3 summits.

Starting at a high point of Gortsia 1100m we planned to walk to “Hut C” on the Plateau of The Muses at around 2600m. (There are two huts, Hut B and Hut C fairly close together on the Plateau). We chose Hut C because it is smaller and we thought it might have more character.  In hindsight this was a mistake and we’d probably go for Hut B next time!

The walk up to the Plateau of the Muses had only a few short steep sections and was not difficult.  The final pull onto the Plateau had a short section of chain (10m) though this is avoidable by a short detour which is taken by the mule trains that supply the huts. We started walking just after 9am and were at  “Hut C” for 4.15pm.  This included a half hour stop at a really nice hut owned by the local Mountain Rescue Team at Petrostrouga 2120m where we had some tea at around noon.

Mules keep the huts supplied

If you were arriving into the area for late morning or early afternoon, I would consider walking up to the hut a Petrostruga as an alternative to a hotel or guest house in Litochoro.

Arriving at Skourta 2476m

Above Petrostruga the path continues gently up through more ancient forrest. After about an hour the trees end and a short steep pull brings you to a small summit of Skourta 2476m.  From here you follow an impressive ridge line to the Plateau of The Muses 2600m.

The ridge above Skourta with the Muses Plateau visible

Hut C supposedly sleeps 18 people.  The night we stayed it was unpleasantly over crowded though in all fairness the Guardian provided great food.  The facilities include proper squat toilets. Blankets and pillows are provided but you need to take a sheet sleeping bag.  Slippers are also available so you don’t need to carry extra shoes with you.

"Hut C"

As we arrived at Hut C, the mist rolled in and the stunning views that we had enjoyed all day disappeared.

Our plan for the “summit day” was leaving at around 9am to walk the short distance to Mitikas, leave our rucksacks at the bottom of the ascent gully and scramble up to the summit and back.  Then re-united with our kit, follow paths around to Skala and Skolio before descending to Hut A.

We awoke to find ourselves still shrouded in mist and with persistent rain! The Guardian of Hut C told us that it was too dangerous to climb Mitikas in the wet. (polished limestone is notoriously slippery when wet). So we revised the plan to walk around to Skala and make a decision about Skolio. Leaving the hut at 10am we reached Skala, still in the cloud at noon.  We’d had none of what are described as superb views but a great feeling to reach the middle summit of this iconic mountain.

Lunch stop on the descent from Skala

On leaving Hut C, we used our map and compass navigation skills to check our progress across the Plateau and to make sure we picked up the correct path. Although most days through the summer this is an easy mountain to navigate, make sure you have the skills, just in case.  Otherwise hire a guide!!

Back on Skala we were damp and had no views.  Although Skolio is only an easy 1Km walk away, we took the decision to descend down to Hut A 2060m.

Hut A is big!  It’s well equipped, well run and Maria the Guardian is friendly and efficient. But don’t expect a hot shower!  A log fire was burning hot in the dining room and we had a glorious evening with plenty of great food and wine.

Fine Dining in Hut A

Our trip was at the beginning of September.  Chatting to the local guides on the mountain, they confirmed that our choice of route was good but that we should have come in August.  August is apparently the month to climb Mt. Olympus!

The bar at Prionia

It continued to rain all night and there really was a small river running past the Hut in the morning.  However the rain stopped and though we were still in the mist, we set off at 9.15am towards the road head at Prionia 1100m which we reached at noon.

The road head at Prionia is really a car park with public toilets and a nice bar / restaurant. The weather was still not inviting enough for the full 5 hour hike along the Enipeas Gorge so we decided to walk down to the old monestary at Agios Dionisios. The people at the bar were really helpful, after a round of coffee they contacted our taxi and arranged for us to be picked up.  Fantastic.

Agios Dionisios

The old ruined monestary at Agios Dionisios is a pleasant hours walk down the gorge and well worth a visit.  It is now being actively re-built from a ruined state, blown up by the Nazi’s during world war 2.

So with the Taxi collecting us at 1.30pm, we were back at the bar at the bottom of the Enipeas Gorge for lunch.

We shall be running this trip commercially in August 2016.  It is unlikely that the weather will be as bad as that described above.  Come and join us!

Mt Olympus, the view we didn't see. Photo Don Corleonegeorge taken from Hut A's Facebook page 

Climbing Mt Olympus

Climbing Mt Olympus

Mt Olympus 2918m is the highest mountain in Greece.  Although Olympus is a name familiar to everyone in the western world, very few know much about this mountain and even fewer have climbed this rocky peak.

Mt Olympus, Home of The Gods!

British based walking holiday company, Mountain Walking Holidays are now pleased to announce that they are including a walking trip to climb Mt Olympus in their programme for 2015.

Snow covers Olympus from November until late May making the exposed upper section tricky to cross. The rocky summit continues to delight everyone who makes the ascent as it did the ancient gods.

We meet at Thessaloniki airport, drive to Litochoro, where we will stay in guesthouse accommodation. The following day we walk high into the mountains, initially through ancient forest. We continue steeply up the mountainside to reach the spectacular Muses plateau, where we will spend the night. The refuge has dormitory accommodation, blankets and pillows, but you will need to carry a sheet sleeping bag and slippers or flip-flops.

Mytikas Summit from Skala

An early start will enable us to make a traverse of the mountain to reach Mytikas, the summit of Olympus at 2901m. This part of the climb can be difficult, involving some scrambling, so you will need a head for heights. If time and conditions allow, we will continue on to scale Skala at 2866m before making our descent down to one of the lower refuges.

The final day we walk through the spectacular Enipeas Gorge to return to Litochoro and a well earned celebratory meal.

The Olympus National park has been recognised as an “area of international importance for the environment of mankind”. It is dedicated to the protection of the natural habitat of plant and animal wildlife. You may spot wild animals such as goats, deer or the wild boar and eagles, or vultures. The slopes are particularly well known for their plants, which attract lots of butterflies.

Ariel view of Mt Olympus in winter

Temperatures in the mountains can be very variable, ranging from hot sun to wind and rain. The proximity to the sea give Mount Olympus a it is a Mediterranean climate, i.e. hot and dry in summer, but the mountain gets lots of rain and wind, so you will need to be prepared. Daytime temperatures are likely to be in the low 20’s centigrade. Sun screen and hats are essential as is windproof and waterproof clothing.

Mountain Walking Holidays are run by Jane Livingstone and Michael Hunt, both qualified as International Mountain Leaders.

Details of this Holiday and how to book are on the Mountain Walking Holidays website.

Mountain House News

Greetings from Mountain House Holidays

Peak Navigation Courses       &   Sierra Nevada Guides

It has been great to meet lots of you over the summer, which saw us spending time in Spain, Scotland, Swaziland and Slovenia.  Now we are back in Derbyshire and the nights are drawing in, we are working on our programme for 2015, and wanted to share a few of our ideas with our friends and customers.

Mt. Olympus, "home of the Gods"

 New for Next Year:

A 5 Day mini break 

"Mt. Olympus, home of the Gods" 

the highest mountain in Greece. This is a walking itinerary but with some “exposed” paths. If you are interested in joining us, we’d really like to hear from you.

Munro bagging in Torridon, some of the more difficult mountains in Scotland. Six days of guided walking.

Navigation Course, October

We are trying out a new navigation course, designed for more 'mature' walkers, who are available during the week, and would appreciate learning in a smaller group or at a slower pace.  If you know anyone who might be interested in Map Reading for Mature Walkers, do pass on the information.

Don’t forget: All our navigation courses can be bought as gifts, so why not choose one (or 2) for friends and family this Christmas.

Sierra Nevada Guides are once again hosting a week of winter skills training in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains. This year we plan to spend most of the week at the Poqueira Refuge, high in the mountains where we can put the new skills to good use.

Winter Skills Training Course in The Sierra Nevada in February

Next spring and summer we will be spending more time in Spain, so if you are interested in joining us during April, May, June, July & early August we can offer daily guided walks from the wonderful base of the hotel Alcadima starting and finishing at a date of your choice. (We were fortunate to spend a few days in September as guests at the Alcadima and really enjoyed the experience.) Our programme of daily walks cost 40 Euro's per day.

We always appreciate hearing from you with feedback, suggestions and requests for trips. If you are part of a group we can offer special rates on our holidays, or design a map reading, navigation or GPS course specially for you, so let us know what you would like.

Best wishes

Mike & Jane