Where is the meeting point and when? The meeting point is the town place of Litochoro at 10:00 am. We team up here and drive up to the start of the hike area, either Prionia or Gortsia. Transportation from Thessaloniki and back can be arranged at extra cost.
What fitness level is required? This tour is rated at difficulty level of 3/5 and therefore a relative good fitness level is required being able to hike for up to 6 hours in a single day. The terrain becomes challenging only on the higher alpine sections. For reaching the Mytikas summit you need to have some sort of scrambling experience as it is a UIAA class 3 ascend and the use of your hands is also needed. Your guide will take all the necessary measures for your safety.
What equipment do we recommend?
- Backpack (30-60L). You will need to carry all your stuff for the 2-3 day outing so a daypack is not enough.
- Hiking boots or trail running shoes with rugged outsole will be fine.
- A good grade waterproof jacket for weather changes.
- A warm midlayer.
- Long trousers and also shorts if you prefer for the daytime hiking.
- Sleeping bag with min. 0-10C temperature grading that you will need for sleeping in the refuge or a tent.
- Sun cream and hat
- Torch
- Hiking poles
- Water bottle min. 500ml
What is the best hiking season in mountain Olympus? The best season is July to September. The snow accumulated from winter months usually melt by the end June and therefore the conditions become easier for hiking. August is the warmest month with temperature even up to 30C are usual even at the higher altitudes. Don’t forget it is a mountain and weather conditions can be altered fast so be also prepared for some rain during the summer months.
What is the distance and elevation gain of each hike day?
- Prionia-Refuge A. Distance: 6 km (4 miles), Ascend: 950m, Altitude: 1050m to 2000m.
- Refuge A-Mytikas-Muses Plateau. Distance: 6-8km (7miles), Ascend: 950m, Altitude: 2000m to 2918m.
- Muses Plateau-Gortsia. Distance 10km (6.5miles), Descend: 1650m, Altitude: 2650m to 1000m
What about the technical difficulty of the route? The tour route becomes technical only on the last part towards the summit Mytikas. This is a class 3 (UIAA grade) climb where the use of also the hands is needed. The distance is about 1km with +200m ascend. Even though a previous experience is not necessary, it will maximize your probability of summiting. The use of climbing ropes is not obligatory but it can be used if it is needed. If for any reason a person decides or the group leader decides for him/her not to summit, he/she can wait at the bottom of the climb at a safe area. The second alternative peak after the summit, Skolio peak which is the second highest peak and only 8m shorter. Skolio offers equal stunning views and requires only hiking to reach.
Is there a porter service? There is no porter service available. Make sure you don’t carry unnecessary stuff with you.
What about the food, sleep and shower during our tour? The overnight stay and eating is done at organized refuges or mountain refuges. For sleeping these offer bunk beds at shared rooms. The rooms are heated only if the outside temperature gets low and warm blankets are provided. The typical meals offered are: Breakfast: bread, butter, honey, Nutella, cheese and coffee, tea, milk Lunch and dinner: Hot meals like pasta with red sauce, beef or sausage, beef with potatoes, bean or lentil soup (vegetarian option), greek salad with feta cheese and bread. Shower water is not available as there is shortage of water and enough only for the basic requirements.
Is there electrical supply up on the mountain? Power for charging your mobile phone and camera batteries can be supplied at the refuges however because of the high demand the availability of a socket might not be possible. We recommend the use of powerbanks for the charging of your devices.
Olympus Summit option details: The trip route becomes technical only on the last part towards the summit Mytikas. This is a class 3 (UIAA grade) climb where the use of also your hands is needed. The distance of the route is about 300m with +200m ascend. Even though a previous experience is not necessary, it will maximize your chance of summiting. If you have booked the package with the Mytikas summit option, but your guide decides, based on your abilities, for your own and your team's safety not to attempt it, you need to wait at the bottom of the climb at a safe area until the team returns. In this case the summit extra cost is non-refundable, as it requires pre-booking of extra guides and safety equipment. The summit extra cost is also non-refundable in the case of adverse weather and trail conditions that will prevent us from reaching the summit and it will be evaluated by your guide at the scheduled date of the ascend. You can read the T&C section for more information.
Source: Hiking Greece
