Day 1
Our day will begin in the morning at 09.30 by meeting your guide in Litochoro’s central square (additional information on how to get there will be given) (should you wish help on your transport arrangements to/from Litochoro, feel free to contact us). After a short briefing about our day’s hike we will get our car and drive towards the trail-head (Prionia 1100m)(20-30 minutes). Because our first day is more ‘relaxed’, any arrangements for the morning’s time appointment can be made to accommodate your needs
We arrive to Prionia where we park our car and prepare our gear for the hike. Prionia is the highest point which can be reached by car (it is 18 km from Litochoro). The route from Prionia (1.100 m) to Spilios Agapitos Refuge (2.1000 m) is the most frequented hiking path on Mount Olympus and makes up a part of the E4 European trail.
Most of the hike is through a thick mix forest of pine, beech and fir trees which offer good protection from the sun. The trail is in good condition and we will constantly move uphill until we make our way up to 2.100m alt. to the refuge Spilios Agapitos which is located on a natural flat surrounded by impressive age-old Bosnian pine trees. Here we shall eat and get a good night rest, tomorrow is our summit day!
Day 2
Our day starts early at around 06.00am, by having breakfast on the refuge’s balcony, enjoying a cup of tea/coffee with a direct view up above to Mytikas and the surrounding peaks that we will be heading up later. Our tour starts right from the hut following the European E4 trail and soon leads us to the alpine zone and a forest-less landscape. This zigzagging and relatively steep trail is quite popular, followed by hikers heading to the peaks or the Muses Plateau, and offers a magnificent view of the whole east region of Olympus. In approximately 2.5-3.5 hours we reach the basis of Louki, the steep gully that leads us directly to the summit, after having traversed the narrow, breathtaking Zonaria trail.
Here we will make a short stop to rest and put on our gear (helmet and climbing harness) for summiting Mytikas. This part of the route requires us to scramble, which means use both our feet and hands to move forward. This is not technical and does not require any previous experience, but demands concentration. Remember that during our way to the top your guide is always there beside you offering guidance and advice in every stage of the climb. Moreover your guide will have you and your group secured on his rope as an extra security measure.
In 1-1.5 hours we reach the summit of Mytikas at 2.918 m. the highest peak in Greece. While standing on the summit to rest and take pictures, we admire the incredible scenery and the surrounding peaks, feeling fulfilled with our achievement. This is it! You did it! You have now become a Legend!
Later, we will begin our descent back from the same route in order to head to the Mouses plateau and our refuge, where we will spend our night, hopefully in about 1-1.30 hours.
On our way to the refuge our trail passes below the Throne of Zeus (the steep rock face that its shape resembles to a throne and where ancient Greeks imagined that Zeus was sitting on his Olympus Palace). Incredible scenery! This is going to be our view from our refuge! We settle for the night in the mountain hut, eat dinner and rest.
Day 3
You can begin your day by waking up very early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise from the refuge’s balcony. Of course this is optional, but we highly recommend it, as this is a rare and unforgettable experience, watching the sun rise directly above the Aegean Sea, filling the sky with wonderful and true colors that you don’t get on low altitude. Later, you can have your breakfast at the refuge, enjoying a cup of coffee or tea with a direct view of the impressive Zeus’ Throne.
By 09.00 we should be ready, having packed our things, and start hiking towards Petrostrouga refuge (1950m), where we will make our stop for rest and maybe lunch if you like (2-2.5h).
This is a relatively easy day as it is mostly downhill, but a long one as we cover a long distance (approx.10-11km). On our way to Petrostrouga refuge we pass “Laimos” a narrow and breathtaking ridge that offers spectacular views.
Leaving the mountain refuge after 1 hour rest, we continue our descending route to Gortsia, the second major trail-head of the eastern Olympus side, that would be our final destination. We drive you back to Litochoro with our car, hoping that we have offered you an amazing lifetime experience!