Mount Olympus – Prionia to Mytikas
The mythical home of the gods and the highest mountain in Greece, Mount Olympus rises almost straight from the sea above Litochoro. The classic ascent starts at Prionia, climbs through beech and pine forest to Refuge A – Spilios Agapitos, and continues over the Skala ridge to Mytikas, at 2,918 metres. Even the walk to the refuge alone is an unforgettable day in Greece’s first national park.
At a glance
| Region | Mount Olympus, above Litochoro, between Macedonia and Thessaly |
| Start | Prionia (1,100 m), 18 km by road from Litochoro |
| To Refuge A | Prionia – Refuge A Spilios Agapitos (2,100 m): about 6 km, around 3 hours, about 1,000 m of ascent, on the E4 |
| To the summit | Prionia – Skala (2,866 m) – Mytikas (2,918 m): about 11.5 km and 7 hours up, about 1,830 m of ascent |
| Difficulty | Refuge A: moderate to demanding. Mytikas: very difficult, with a final scramble on rock |
| Best season | Mid-May to mid-October; Refuge A is open from May to the end of October |
| Nearest airport | Thessaloniki; from Athens about 4½ hours by road |
The route
Day 1 – Prionia to Refuge A. From the car park and spring at Prionia, the E4 path climbs through beautiful beech and black pine forest to Refuge A – Spilios Agapitos, at 2,100 metres: about 3 hours. Spend the night at the refuge.
Day 2 – to the summit and down. Early in the morning the path continues above the tree line to Skala (2,866 m). From here, the final section to Mytikas – the "Kakoskala" – is a steep scramble on rock above a drop of about a thousand metres, for experienced and sure-footed hikers only. Descend the same way to Prionia.
Optional extra day. Start in Litochoro and walk to Prionia through the gorge of the Enipeas river – about 10–12 km and 5 hours of green, shady path.
Highlights
- Mytikas, 2,918 m – the highest point in Greece and the throne of Zeus.
- Refuge A – Spilios Agapitos, with sunrise views over the Thermaic Gulf.
- Ancient beech and black pine forests on the lower slopes.
- The Enipeas gorge between Litochoro and Prionia.
- Greece's first national park, rich in rare plants.
Safety tips
- The summit scramble is exposed – go with a qualified mountain guide unless you are experienced on rock.
- Start early; afternoon clouds and storms are common in summer, and the wind near Skala is cold and strong.
- Carry water from Prionia and the refuge, sunscreen and warm, windproof layers – the sun is strong at altitude.
- Snow can remain into May; in winter the mountain is only for equipped, experienced climbers.
- Book Refuge A in advance in summer.
How we help
- Transfers from Thessaloniki or Athens to Litochoro and Prionia, and back after the hike.
- A qualified mountain guide for the summit, on request.
- Hotels in Litochoro and help with the refuge booking.
Combine it with
Olympus is on the way between Thessaloniki and Meteora, and close to the ancient sites of Dion and Vergina and the beaches of Pieria and Halkidiki.
Frequently asked questions
Can I climb Olympus without experience?
The walk from Prionia to Refuge A is suitable for fit hikers without technical experience. The final scramble to Mytikas is not for beginners – we recommend a mountain guide.
How many days do I need?
Two days are ideal: Prionia to Refuge A on the first day, the summit and descent on the second. Add a day if you want to walk up through the Enipeas gorge from Litochoro.
When is the best time?
From June to September, when the path is free of snow and the refuges are open.
How do I get there?
Litochoro is about 1¼ hours from Thessaloniki airport and about 4½ hours from Athens. We arrange your transfers to Litochoro and Prionia.
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Header photo: Mytikas at sunset – Teogera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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