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Olympus trekking self-guided 2024
Travel code: OPWT314I
Tour type: Hiking-strenuous
Travel type: Self-guided trekking
Area: Olympus mountain
Number of days: 7 (may be extended with rest days)
Tour description

(Click here for the complete tour description as document.)

For everyone who is not afraid of a challenge, we offer this spectacular 7-day hiking trek to the highest peak of Greece, Mount Olympos. This mythical mountain is the highest mountain in Greece reaching almost 3000 meters. It was known as the seat of Zeus and home to the Greek Gods.
It is an impressive hiking tour to some of the various peaks of the Olympos, where the air is clear and where you will experience spectacular vistas and scenery. At the start and at the end of the tour, you stay in the lively mountain village Litochoro in a comfortable hotel, whereas up in the mountain your overnight stay is in 3 mountain huts.
No luggage transfer is possible during the trek. Whatever you don’t carry on your back, may stay in Litochoro.

On your first hiking day you walk through the Enipeas gorge to the old monastery Agios Dionysios. The next morning, starting at the monastery, you will walk through thick forest of pine, and eventually reach the alpine zone and admire superb views over the gorge and the sea. Your route continues to the summit Skolio at 2.911m and after descending from the summit you walk along to so-called ‘Zonaria’ to reach the alpine ‘Mousson’plain. You continue your descent via the eastern slopes to the Koromilia mountain hut where you stay overnight. On your last hiking day, you walk down along the Orlias stream to a church on the asphalt road, from where you will be picked up by a taxi and taken to Litochoro.

The Olympos mountain range has the highest summits of Greece and is considered the home of the Greek Gods. The most important summits are the Mytikas (2918m), Skolió (2911m) and Stefani or “Throne of Zeus” (2907m). The Mytikas was first climbed in 1913. This gritty and steep summit is not fit for mountain walking, although it is possible to do it on all four without any climbing gear. We keep to the Skolio as highest peak; the views are just as good and there is a path.
checking the altitude
The mountain range is much trodden, especially from the Spilios Agapithos refuge. The route along the “Zonaria”, underneath the “Throne of Zeus” is much quieter and on the ascent along the north-east side you probably only encounter the mule train.
mule train on the Olympos
You really find yourself in the high mountains here, with the according alpine flora and fauna (chamois!) and the according irreliable weather. It is great though to walk in the presence of the Olympic Gods!
chamois on the Olympus

Trip highlights

  • Highest summits of Greece (almost 3000m!).
  • Home of the Ancient Greek Gods, the ‘Throne of Zeus’.
  • Incredible views over the Aegean Sea.
  • Stay in good mountain refuges and in the lively village Litochoro.


About the overnight stays in the refuges
In the refuges is only a mattress present (no blankets nor pillows) and shared facilities with toilet paper. Inside the refuge mountain boots are not allowed. You carry with you: sheet, sleeping bag, pillow case, torch, towel, slippers, spare clothing, toiletry and everything else you may need during the tour.
The refuges may provide you with diner, water, lunch package and snacks. You’ll take your own waste down.

About the walks
The walks are between 4 and 6 hours (that is excluding breaks) and take you through forests, along river gorges and over barren slopes. You walk on stony footpaths, gravel roads and only occasionally asphalt. The routes are mostly signposted.

We advise you to start the trip trained and fit with well worn-in ankle-high hiking boots. Good shoes enable you to walk without worries about your feet so that you can fully enjoy the surroundings.

The tour is for people who do not shrink from hefty walks and who want to clear their head while enjoying the mountains.