Semi Guided - 2 Day Hike Olympus

• What is listed above in Equipment section

Meeting Point: Trekking Hellas Mt.Olympus office, to see exact meeting point click here

Time: 10.00 am

Mid May to October

The climbing season runs between mid-June and late October. Sometimes, the climbing season can start even in mid-May, but this depends on the snow accumulation from winter months. The best time to climb Mount Olympus is beginning of July and beginning of September. Mid-July to late August is also a good period, however it may become too warm and the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms increases.

The weather conditions on Mount Olympus are generally unpredictable and temperatures can vary widely. Several factors influence local weather such as the impact of the sea and the rugged relief of the region. In lower areas, however (Litochoro and the foothills) the climate is typically Mediterranean, i.e. hot and dry in the summer, while humid and cold during the winter. On a higher altitude it is more humid and rougher, with more intense phenomena. The temperature varies in the winter from -10 °C to 10 °C and in the summer from 0 °C to 20 °C, while winds are an almost everyday occurrence. Generally, the temperature falls around 1 °C for every 200m of elevation. As the altitude increases, the phenomena become more intense, and the variations of temperature and humidity are often sudden. The coastal northeast slopes of Olympus receive more rain than the continental northwest, so, as a result, there is a clear difference in vegetation. In some places the winds accumulate snow, 8–10 meters thick, (‘anemosouria’ in Greek), while in some deep ravines snow remains all year round. However, during the climbing season (June to October) these snow patches do not affect hikers. Weather conditions on Mount Olympus may change several times during the day. During the summer, rainfalls are frequent and evening thunderstorms very common, many times accompanied by hail and strong winds.

Except for the last 200m of vertical climb to the summit of Mytikas (2,919m), which is a UIAA level 3 technical scrambling/climbing route, the rest of the route is an easy hiking path of medium difficulty. Although ropes are not necessary, they are being used for extra safety. The second highest peak of Mount Olympus, Skolio, (2,911m) is only 8 meters lower, offers an equally amazing summit view, a summit logbook, and can be reached by an easy/medium difficulty hiking path, without any steep sections. Finally, on the way towards the summits, there are several impressive drops right next to the otherwise easy hiking path that could be scary for people with fear of heights. They don’t pose any significant danger, as the path is relatively safe.

Scrambling experience is required for ascending the summit of Mytikas. It is not a prerequisite (e.g. we don’t ask people before hand), but experience shows that people who don’t have the experience might not be able to reach the summit. Although ropes are not necessary, they are being used for added safety.

Day 1: difficulty level 3

Day 2: difficulty level 4

• The difficulty level of the hikes on Mount Olympus is rated with grade 3.
• The last part, the last climb to Mytikas summit is rated with grade 4.
• The alternative climb to Skolio Summit, is rated with grade 2

Each guide can have 3-5 people on the rope (depending on weather conditions and their level of experience). Ascending in “Via-Feratta” style is of course also possible.

Yes

Travelers must carry their equipment. There is no porter service available on the mountain. There is a mule caravan used to bring supplies to the mountain huts (Petrostrouga, Kakkalos, G. Apostolidis), which can load luggage for an additional charge. The caravan has a specific timetable of arrival and departure from the mountain huts. It is possible for the mule caravan to adjust its program to our specific timetable, but for a much higher additional charge, as it will have to follow an extra, unplanned route. Certain parts of the mountain routes, like the Zonaria and Kofto routes, connecting the mountain huts Spilios Agapitos and Kakkalos, may not be accessible to mules.

There is mobile phone reception on about 60% of the route. In some areas you need to get to a specific location to have adequate reception. There is no phone signal inside the Enipeas Canyon, on the Plateau of the Muses nor on parts of the route between Gkortsia and Petrostruga.

The mountain huts are not connected to the electricity grid. Power is supplied by solar panels and generators and is available only for a few hours per day. Usually, electricity is available from dusk until about 10 or 11pm, and occasionally from dawn up to a few hours. Sockets are limited so it is preferable to have extra power banks especially if being part of a big group.

There are communal rooms with bank beds in all mountain huts. Setting up camp outside the mountain hut, while using the mountain hut facilities is also possible.

• Breakfast: bread, butter, marmalade, honey, cheese, coffee- tea- milk, chocolate spreads
• Lunch: lunch box incl. sandwiches, fruits, eggs, energy snack, chocolate or lunch in the mountain hut. (See below menus)
• Dinner in the mountain hut: sample menus: soup, pasta with sauce, salad, bread, cheese / lentils with rice, beef with pasta, rice or mashed potatoes, salad, bread, cheese / soup, sausage with pasta, rice or mashed potatoes, meat plate, salad, bread, cheese.

Water is not included in the price. Bottled water is however available in the mountain huts, rates 1-2€/bottle depending on the bottle size.

There is a mountain spring in Prionia and another spring (with less water supply) a 45 minutes hike past Prionia. There are no other mountain springs close to the hiking routes so buying a bottle of water is the safest option.

Mountain huts are heated, as they are equipped with fireplaces or petrol heaters, but they start operating only when temperature drops to around 10 degrees Celsius. There are no clothes/boots drying facilities. Warm blankets are provided in all mountain huts.

No, there is no possibility of a hot shower in the mountain huts. Mountain huts do have showers, but they are heavily dependent on the available water supply. Water for the showers comes from melted snow and is not heated.

Beverages in mountain huts cost between 2€-5€. There is a big variety of hot beverages (tea, coffee etc.), soft drinks and of course beer and wine. Different snacks are also available.

Mountain guide tipping is optional and can vary depending on the traveler’s satisfaction of the service provided. A usual tip is about 50 euro per day.