2-Day Guided Hike of the Mythical Mount Olympus
Join certified mountain guide Babis on a captivating hike to the top of the iconic Mount Olympus in Greece! Spend two days learning the culture of this amazing peak while you soak in the history, culture and incredible views of this legendary mountain - the ancient home of the Greek Gods!
Olympus
2 Days
May - Nov
High
Intermediate
Highlights
Hike up the the historical home of the Greek Gods!
Reach the towering summit of Mytikas
Enjoy panoramic views from the peaks, including Kakoskala and Skala
Description
Let me guide you on a legendary hike to the famed Mount Olympus in Greece! Come see the historical home of the Gods on this two-day trek through the fascinating landscape of the iconic mountain.
Mount Olympus serves as both one of the world´s oldest iconic landforms AND the highest mountain in Greece. Located within the mountain range of the same name, it draws tourists from everywhere to climb its peaks, explore its nature, and learn its culture.
It has played an important role in Greek history, and that extends into the natural and human cultures as well. Standing at 2,918 meters, it is home to many exciting flora of different levels, and the animal life within the region – which is equally fascinating – includes endangered species and rare native wildlife.
Our trip will take us on a journey through every aspect of this incredible mountain. You will spend five to six hours each day hiking in the area, with the ultimate prize of reaching the summit of Mytikas, the tallest point in Greece.
We will start early on day one in Litochoro at 8:00 am to discuss and plan our trek ahead. We will drive to Prionia to start the hike, where the forest lines our path as we make our way to Refuge C. Our journey continues to the Muses Plateau (2,650m) and our overnight hut.
The following day gives us the chance to pass through the Throne of Zeus and scramble up a challenging couloir to the top. The peak has an incredible view, and as we descend to the second highest peak (at Skolio – 2,911m), you will have unbelievable panoramas of Kakoskala and Skala.
This is a sustained hike, so you should be in reasonably good shape to take this program. There are some challenging moments that require rock scrambling, and any hiking experience would be an asset.
Book my program and join the ranks of the remarkable and proud hikers who have braved the heights of Mount Olympus!
Price includes
Price details
The price does NOT include accommodation, transportation to / from the starting point of the hike, meals, insurance (around 35€ per person).
Itinerary
Day 1: Muses Plateau
5 to 6 hours of hiking.
Day 2: Mytikas Summit
6 hours of hiking.
Equipment you will need to bring
Warm clothers, waterproof jacket, sleeping bag, hat, sunscreen, extra underwear, hiking boots.
FAQs
How will accommodation and meals be handled during the trek?
The hut is very well organized and it is the best in Greece. It is very clean. It has a very well organized kitchen. The huts are well equipped and you do not need to bring food. Just for a snack for the path. You can buy there. You don't need a sleeping bag. Just take a light sleeping liner silk (you can rent one there if needed, around 7€). Blankets are provided. The guide will do the booking. He knows all the people there so even when it's very full, there is always a solution.
Can I join a group?
No. I only offer private guiding for this tour.
What is the level of difficulty of the Mount Olympus hike?
The walking is not flat but not difficult either. The last meters to the top are easy scrambling and we will be roped with harnesses and helmets.
What extra costs will I have to cover?
- Accommodation = 18€
- Food 20-25€ (diner & breakfast)
Can I leave my extra luggage in a safe place there?
No problem! You can leave your suitcase with me.
What time and where would we be departing from? At what time will we be back in the valley?
- Meeting place: Central square of Lichotoro.
- Meeting time: Usually in the early morning but it could be modified based on the weather conditions. We will start with a briefing and the equipment check. At the end of the tour, we will be back around 4pm.
Do you recommend any hotel in Lichitoro?
Depends on your standard and budget
- Robolo Boutique hotel (++)
- Mythic Valley (+)
Is there any equipment I’ll require for the hike? Is there a kit list of clothes and items that you recommend we bring? What equipment is provided? What should I bring?
All technical equipment is provided:
- harness,
- helmet
- first aid kit.
In terms of equipment, light is right. Make sure to bring:
- light waterproof jacket,
- backpack up to 30 lit,
- trail running shoes or light boots,
- a fleece,
- hat,
- sunglasses,
- sunscreen,
- beanie,
- buff,
- big light summer pants,
- a light puff jacket,
- isothermic t-shirt,
- poles.
Can we make it to the summit of Mount Olympus in one day?
It's possible but you need to be extremely fit to achieve the ascent in one single day.
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
-Babis
4.80
(29)
Mountain Guide
I have been climbing with passion since the age of 14 when I started rock climbing, and (in my 20's) I became a full-time mountain guide. Even though climbing first began only as a hobby, it later led me to a professional Mountain Guide title.
I am a Greek certified Mountain Guide HFMC, and an IFMGA/UIAGM/IVBV Mountain Guide, which is the highest internationally recognized mountain guiding certification. I am also a board member of the Hellenic Mountain Guide Association and a member of the Austria Guides Association (section Vorarlberg).
I work together with a group of certified guides, so If I am not available to guide you, one of the experienced guides in my team will be your guide.
In the last 20 years, I have accomplished many expeditions all over the world from Denali in Alaska to Damavand Iran, climbing or guiding and skitouring.
I love the mountains as well as the sea. I'm a passionate sailor and a skipper, also organizing climbing and sailing trips in the Aegean Sea.
Now I am currently studying Marketing and Management at EAP University.
I live between my birthplace Litochoro, the village at the foot of Mt. Olympus Greece, and Chamonix France.
You can find me guiding between Mt. Olympus and Chamonix Mont-Blanc, ski touring the Haute Route in the Alps, to summiting Mt Elbrus in Caucasus or sailing and climbing on the Greek islands.
I love to work with groups in new destinations and make great pictures along the way.
Languages
Greek | French | English
Certificates
HMGA | IFMGA
What people are saying about this trip
Jo
5.00
Babis was easy to communicate with and gave us great advice as we planned our trip. He was sadly injured a few days before our climb but he already had all the bookings made and got another guide to take us so it was a seamless transition! Our new guide, Alex Panagos was equally helpful in the organisation and amazing on the climb! He was educated us in not just the history and nature of the mountain but took time to build our technical skills for scrambling and making the most of our hike. He was incredibly patient and I have no doubt I could not have reached the summit without his help. Many people summit Olympus without a guide but to be clear, this is not a route for inexperienced climbers, it has a technical scramble and you need to be well versed in reading the route. Protective headgear on the scramble is essential. All things we didn’t need to worry about as our guide had it all for us. I couldn’t recommend Alex enough, he is particularly skilled in technical climbing and his instruction has seen my skills develop rapidly as a result. Thank you!
Edward
5.00
Great trip! Babis is a real professional. He suggested a route that avoided the crowds so we had the peak to ourselves. Explore-Share was easy to book with.
Nick
4.00
A great trip! Babis was an excellent guide: safe, knowledgeable and engaging.
Bill
5.00
Two day trip on Mt. Olympus on October 20/21, 2023, with Babis. Babis was an excellent guide. Local person, and very experienced and knowledgeable. Careful about assessing and managing any risks, and working to meet my expectations. Very well organized and fun to spend time with. Had a great time. Thanks!!
Jacob
5.00
Climbing a mountain is far from being an easy thing to do. I fell extremely lucky to choose Babis Marinidis as my guide to hide the mount of Olympus. Babis gathers all the qualities of a professional international mountain guide. Not only he motivates you to encounter your physical difficulties, but also your mental challenges in order to drive you to the edge. He is very clear with an analytic brief which summarizes what will happen, what to expect, verifying the trail conditions and forecast, respecting your pace. I trust him and I had the best experience of my life, hence I can highly recommend him.
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