2-day & 3-day Mt. Olympus ascent.

2-day ascent.

Version 1 of the 2-day ascent, mainly for the months of June (second half), July and August.

Day 1: Meet in Litochoro, at the central open car park behind St. Nikolas church, at 09:00 – 09:30. Transfer by road in your own means of transport, unless arranged differently, to Prionia location, (car parking place) at 1100m. At about 11:30 we start our walk from Prionia. After a 3.00′ hour walk on a well marked path, we reach refuge A’ or “Spilios Agapitos”, at 2100 m. Here we have a good rest, admiring the view over a drink and a light lunch. At about 15:30 to 16:00, we set off for the muses’ plateau, our today’s destination. It will take us about 3.00′ hours to reach the plateau, at 2720 m. A fantastic walk to reach a unique place! We are very close to the summits and the Gods themselves! There will be plenty of time to wonder around this beautiful place, have a good rest and enjoy your evening meal. Duration of walk 6.00’ to 6.30’ hours moderate. Altitude covered, 1750m up.

Day 2: Having spend the night at the plateau and being so close to the main summits, we have a relaxed setting off to the near by summits “Toumpa” (2801m) and “Profitis Elias” (2803m) at about 09:30. When atop both summits, we enjoy phantastic views to all directions. We are back at the plateau at about 12:30, where we have a rest and maybe a light meal, before we set off for the return walk via the Lemos – Petrostrounga – Gortsia route. We should be at Gortsia at about 19:30 to 20:00. Duration of walk to Toumpa & P. Elias and back, 2.00′ hours moderate and from the plateau to Gortsia 5.00’ to 5.30’ hours moderate. Altitude covered, 100m up to Toumpa & P. Elias and back down to the plateau and 1650m from the plateau dawn to Gortsia.

Version 2 of the 2 day ascent, mainly for the months of May, June (first half), September and October.

Day 1: We meet in Litochoro’s center (the central open car park behind St. Nikolas church), at 11:30. Transfer to Prionia location at 1100m (car park and café / restaurant) from where we start our first day’s walk, after a briefing about the ascent and the program. At about 13:00 we start the walk up to the first day’ destination, the refuge A’ or “Spilios Agapitos” at 2100m, where we arrive after 3.00’ to 3.30’ hours (net walking time without the stops). During the hike in very beautiful cone and deciduous tree forest, the guides introduce you to the very special flora and the peculiarities of the Mt. Olympus microclimate. Have an early night in “Spilios Agapitos”. Duration of walk 3.00’ to 3.30’ hours moderate. Altitude covered, 1000m up.

Day 2: An early start at dawn, gives us the opportunity to experience a unique sunrise from higher up in the alpine zone. Our destination is the “muses’ plateau” via the original “Zonaria” traverse or the “Kofto” path (which of the two will depend upon the weather conditions). At about 09:00 to 09:30 we will be at the plateau at 2750m (net walking time, 3.00′ to 3.30’ hours). After a short rest, we sett off to the near by summits “Toumpa” (2801m) and “Profitis Elias”(2803m) at about 10:30. When atop both summits, we enjoy phantastic views to all directions. We are back at the plateau at about 13:30, where we have a rest and a meal, before we set off for the return walk via the Lemos – Petrostrounga – Gortsia route. We should be at Gortsia at about 19:30 to 20:00. Duration of walk to the plateau, 3.30′ to 4.00′ hours moderate and to Toumpa & P. Elias and back, 2.00′ hours moderate. From the plateau to Gortsia 5.00’ to 5.30’ hours moderate. Altitude covered, 700m up to the plateau and P. Elias & Toumpa and from the plateau to Gortsia 1600m dawn.

3-day ascent.

Day 1: We meet in Litochoro’s center (the central open car park behind St. Nikolas church), at 11:30. Transfer to Prionia location at 1100m (car park and café / restaurant) from where we start our first day’s walk, after a briefing about the ascent and the program. At about 13:00 we start the walk up to the today’s destination, the refuge A’ or “Spilios Agapitos” at 2100m, where we arrive after 3.00’ to 3.30’ hours (net walking time without the stops). During the hike in a very beautiful cone and deciduous tree forest, the guides introduce you to the very special flora and the peculiarities of the Mt. Olympus microclimate. Have an early night in “Spilios Agapitos”. Duration of walk 3.00’ to 3.30’ hours moderate. Altitude covered, 1000m up.

Day 2:  An early start before dawn – something like 06:00, gives us the opportunity to experience a unique sunrise from higher up in the alpine zone. Our destination is the “muses’ plateau” via the original Zonaria route or the “Kofto” path (which of the two will depend upon the weather conditions), settle at one of the two refuges at the plateau and in the early afternoon after a good rest, we have a go to attempt the highest summit “Mytikas” 2918m, via the ”Louki” route. From here, the ascent is not a walk nor a technical climb, but a very interesting scramble about 250m long to the top. While at the summit, the words are not enough to describe the feelings and the views! Someone has to experience it! We leave the summit descending either via the ”Kakoskala” route or via Louki, back to the ”Zonaria” path and the plateau, where you will have ample time to relax prior to dinner, have a well earned rest and spend the night. Duration of walk / scramble from refuge A’ to the plateau 3.30′ hours. From the plateau to Mytikas and back to the plateau, 3.00′ to 3.30′ hours moderate / challenging. Altitude covered, 818m from the refuge A’ up to Mytikas and 218m from Mytikas down to the plateau.

Day 3: After breakfast, we climb the impressive rocky summit “Throne of Zeus” or “Stefani” 2909m., the third highest of the mountain. After a light lunch at the refuge, we return to Prionia via the Lemos – Petrostrouga – Gortsia route. We have ascended the two main summits of the mountain and completed a high crossing of the north east part of the Gods’ Mountain. Duration of walk / scramble to the Throne of Zeus and back, 3.00′ hours moderate / challenging and from the plateau to the Gortsia 5.00’ to 5.30’ hours moderate. Altitude covered, 209m up and down to the Throne of Zeus and back to the plateau and 1650m dawn.

Price for the 2-day ascent: For up to 3 people, the sum of 640.00€ has to be shared between the participants. For 4 persons and above, the price comes to 160.00€ p.p.

Price for the 3-day ascent: For up to 3 people the sum of 760.00€ has to be shared between the participants. For 4 persons and above, the price comes to 190.00€ p.p.

The VAT is not included in the above prices.

Something very important you should know about the Mytikas ascent.

We have to inform you here, that the final 250m of the ascent to Mytikas either via “Kakoskala” or “Louki route”, is a serious undertaking, as it is definitely neither a walk nor a climb in the strict sense of the word. It is a scramble, having to use your hands most of the time, for balance and ease of movement mostly, technically feasible for every able-bodied person and at this stage we can guarantee this. We cannot guarantee though – especially for the first timers – the psychological factor, which has to do with your familiarization and ease of movement in such a terrain, in other words with your relevant experience. Obviously, this is something that we do not know at any early stage (like the period of enquiry and booking procedure). We and you will definitely know about it by the time we get up there and we together decide on this. After all, believe us, Mt. Olympus is much more than its highest peak itself. Anyway, statistically, an 85 – 90% of the people who come with us, climb the summit. Almost none of them are experienced mountain walkers. The same applies for the ascent to the Throne of Zeus or Stefani summit.

Nevertheless, note that for the ones who wish to make the climb to the highest summit with the use of ropes and the relevant means of safety equipment, we can organize this with a specialized guide (one guide per two persons maximum), at the price of 225.00€ p.p. for the 2-day ascent and 245.00€ p.p. for the 3-day ascent.

What follows for your information, is the mountain refuge accommodation cost and food indicative costs on the mountain (Prices as they are up to now).

• Accommodation (fully equipped mountain refuge with toilet facilities): 18.00€ / person / night.

• Breakfast full (butter, marmalade, bread, tea/coffee/milk, eggs/omelet): 10.00 € / person.

. Breakfast plain (butter, marmalade, bread, tea/coffee/milk/chocolate): 6.00 to 7.00€ / person.

• Light lunch: 7.00€ / person.

• Dinner full meal (two or three choices like soup, spaghetti, meat, potatoes, salad, cheese e.c.t.): 10.00 to 12.00€ / person.

You can also get biscuits, chocolate and drinks at the refuges.