Mount Olympus: From Hut to Hut to The Gods

De tocht begint op het Centrale Plein van Litochoro, het hart van het stadje. The journey kicks off from Litochoro Central Square, the heart of the town. The first 6 km stretch traverses high above the northern edge of the Enipeas Gorge, with magnificant views across this iconic landmark. You'll pass the road and hit the trail at Gourtsia (1100m) into the forest. The ascent is steep at times but this is rewarded with great views across the Mount Olympus mountain range. The refuge is situated at an altitude of 1,940m, in a beautiful spot among age-old Bosnian pine trees, offering you panoramic views to the valley of Katerini, Mount Pelion and the Aegean Sea. You’ll enjoy a delicious warm dinner at the refuge.

After eating breakfast, you will begin your climb to the Plateau of the Muses on Mount Olympus, which is considered to be one of the most stunning locations. The route will take you to Skourta peak (2,485m), where you will be surrounded by an alpine landscape that offers spectacular 360-degree views. From Skourta peak, you will follow a narrow ridge called Laimos (neck) that leads to the plateau. Walking along this ridge is an incredible experience that allows you to appreciate the remarkable geology of the rock formations on Mount Olympus.

As you climb to higher elevations, you will have many opportunities to observe the endemic wild goats of Mount Olympus, which are rare and endangered. These animals resemble deer more than goats and primarily live in the alpine zone of Mount Olympus. The hike will take approximately four hours and will end at the Kakalos refuge, located at an altitude of 2,650m. This refuge was named after Christos Kakalos, a local hunter who guided Swiss climbers Fred Boissonnas and Daniel Baud Bovy on the first recorded ascent to Mount Olympus' highest peak, Mytikas, in 1913. After taking a short break and having lunch at the refuge, you can explore the magical alpine landscape of the plateau and reach Agios Profitis peak (2,803m) with an easy 40-minute walk. From the top of Profitis Ilias peak, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the northern slopes of Mount Olympus and its neighboring mountains, particularly during sunset. Dinner will be provided at the refuge.