As with all of our trips, you’ve got to have the right equipment if you’re going to get the most out of your trip and have the best chance of climbing Mount Olympus. Here are some of the items we recommend you take.

Sturdy hiking boots: Ensure they are well-fitted and broken in of course.

Weather-appropriate clothing: Although it’s Greece, you can still get some rain so a waterproof jacket and some dry sacks in your bags are important as temperatures can vary wildly.

A reliable daypack/backpack: Choose one that can comfortably carry all your gear 30-40l will do fine.

Sleeping Bag - Bring a decent 3 season sleeping bag with you. There are blankets in the refuge and guesthouse but worth bringing for the night in the refuge if it gets cold.

First aid kit: Always be prepared for minor injuries or emergencies.

Warm Clothes - It can cold and windy as well as hot and dry so a mix of both T shirts/Fleece plus long trousers and shorts for your bottom half.

Water bottles and a bladder - Hydration is key and there are limited springs on the mountains so worth carrying at least 1 water bottle.

Sunglasses/Cap/Suncream - The battle against the sun is on so bring some protection from the big light in the sky.

Trekking Poles - Some people use them, some not, personally they help when the going gets tough so bring them along if you’ve got them.

Food/Snacks - High-energy snacks and some treats to keep you going.

When Climbing Mount Olympus there are actually 52 summits on the mountain itself and it normally takes about 2 days to summit. On our Climb to Mount Olympus, we do of course aim to summit the highest, Mytikas but this is weather and group permitting and will aim to climb Skolio Peak if needed. None of the routes are seriously technical although the final part of the Mytikas summit is classed as a level 3 scramble. If we attempt this section, we are roped up with harnesses and helmets due to the exposure level.

Over 10,000 people attempt to summit the mountain each year and the vast majority of people who attempt a summit complete Skolio Peak as it’s a relatively easy traverse of a narrow ridge to the summit rather than the steep and exposed scramble to Mytikas which some people might not be comfortable with.

Whichever route we choose, the views are amazing and there are actually only several metres between the two summits.

Here are the two summits:

Skolio Peak (2,911 meters): Slightly lower than Mytikas, Skolio is often recommended for less experienced climbers. The route is challenging but does not require technical climbing skills.

Mytikas Peak (2,917 meters): The highest peak of Mount Olympus, Mytikas, is more demanding. It involves a scramble up a steep gully known as Louki. This route is recommended for those with some climbing or scrambling experience.

Mount Olympus is shrouded in the mists of Greek mythology and stands as a testament to the rich and ancient tales of the gods. According to legend, this towering mountain was more than just the highest mountain in Greece. It was the home of the Olympian gods, led by Zeus, the god of the sky and thunder.

The myths describe Mount Olympus as a place of unparalleled splendour and serenity, untouched by the passage of time and mortal concerns. It was here that the gods would convene in the magnificent palace of Zeus, holding feasts with divine foods that granted them immortality. Each god had their own domain, from the forges of Hephaestus to the gardens of Aphrodite.

Mount Olympus also played a pivotal role in numerous mythological tales, from the battles of the gods with the Titans, to the decisions that shaped the fates of heroes and mortals alike. The mountain was seen as a bridge between the earthly realm and the divine, where the gods could observe and intervene in the affairs of humans.

To this day, the mystique of Mount Olympus endures. As you climb and ascend the mountain, think about the legends of the gods and heroes that were spoken about in this place and the mythological footsteps you are following.

So there we have it, climbing Mount Olympus is an amazing way to spend a long weekend in Greece. It’s an unforgettable experience, offering a unique blend of physical challenge, epic scenery, and a sprinkling of mythological magic thrown in.

Whether you summit Skolio or Mytikas peak, you'll be walking in the footsteps of gods and heroes creating your own story at the same time.


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Andy