At 2,918 metres, Mytikas is the highest peak in Greece and the highest in the Balkans south of Rila. In myth it was the seat of Zeus; in practice it is one of Europe’s most rewarding two-day hikes, with a well-worn trail to a mountain refuge and a short, exposed final scramble to the summit. No technical climbing experience is required, but the last stretch demands a steady head and sure feet.
The classic route: Prionia to Refuge A
Most hikers base themselves in Litochoro, the mountain town at the foot of Olympus, about an hour’s drive from Thessaloniki. From Litochoro the road climbs to Prionia (around 1,100m), the main trailhead. Taxis between Litochoro and Prionia typically cost around €30 one way — worth confirming locally, as seasonal demand shifts prices.
The trail from Prionia to Refuge A (Spilios Agapitos, around 2,100m) takes roughly three hours at a steady pace through forest and alpine slopes. It is a proper mountain path — sustained uphill, but never technical. Refuge A is the standard overnight stop and a genuine alpine hut: dormitory bunks, cooked meals, and sunrise views over the Thermaic Gulf. Nights generally cost €15–30 per person depending on the refuge and season, and the hut serves dinner and breakfast. Advance booking in July and August is strongly advised; the hut does take cards, but the connection is unreliable, so carry cash as backup.
Summit day: Skala and the Mytikas scramble
From Refuge A the path climbs to Skala, a shoulder peak at about 2,866m, in roughly two hours. Skala itself is the most summited of the Olympus peaks and a fine viewpoint over the Muses Plateau. From Skala to Mytikas takes 30–45 minutes — and this is the part that separates the summit from the shoulder.
The Mytikas scramble is a short rock section, unprotected in places, that requires hands as well as feet. It is often described as manageable for fit hikers who are comfortable with exposure, but genuinely unsuitable for anyone with a fear of heights. Wear boots with good grip — trail runners or soft sneakers are a poor choice here. Poles help enormously on the long uphill to Skala, though you will want your hands free for the scramble itself. Guides hired locally generally charge around €50–100 per day and can transform the experience for first-timers on the summit rocks.
Best time and weather
The hiking season runs roughly from June to September. June and early July can still hold snow patches high up; August brings the warmest, driest weather but also the biggest crowds. September is often the sweet spot — fewer people, stable air. Even in summer, Olympus makes its own weather: temperatures can drop sharply above 2,500m and afternoon storms are not unusual, so a waterproof shell and warm mid-layer belong in the pack on every visit.
Costs and permits
No official permit is required to hike Mount Olympus, which keeps the logistics simple. An independent two-day hike typically works out at around €200–300 including transport, refuge nights and meals — the mountain rewards self-sufficiency. Fully guided two-day trips commonly run €600–1,400 per person including guiding, refuge stay and equipment, and there are shorter semi-guided summit options in the €300 range that meet you at the refuge. Group tours splitting logistics often land somewhere in between, generally a few hundred euros per person for three days.
Practical tips
Carry a sleeping bag or at least a liner for the refuge, sun protection for the exposed high sections, and more water than you think you need on day one — the climb from Prionia is deceptively dry. Start early on summit day so the scramble is done in calm morning air. If Mytikas looks beyond your comfort level, alternatives like Skala, Profitis Ilias or Skolio still deliver the high-Olympus experience without the exposure. Since 1938 the mountain has been Greece’s first national park, and its lower slopes are a biosphere reserve — take all litter down, and leave the endemic wildflowers where they grow.
Arjun Mehta is the pen name behind Mountains Bliss — practical mountain-travel guides with routes, costs, seasons and safety notes, researched from real trekker discussions and cross-checked before publishing. No sponsored posts, ever.
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