An Unexpected Adventure Begins
What started as a planned bus journey from Turkey through the Balkans suddenly transformed into something far more epic when we realised our route would take us directly through Greece. Brian had previously identified Mount Olympus as a potential climb. Although it initially seemed impossible within our tight schedule, fate seemed to be nudging us toward the legendary home of the Greek gods.
Mount Olympus isn’t just any mountain – it’s the mythical throne of Zeus and the twelve Olympians, rising majestically from the Aegean plains to 2,918 meters above sea level. For over 3,000 years, this sacred peak has captured imaginations, and now it was calling to us.
My alarm broke the pre-dawn silence at 3:15 am, marking the start of what would become one of our most memorable adventures. Belle and I quickly fueled up with yogurt, muesli, honey, and a banana, washing it down with coffee from the apartment machine. After having a half-hearted stretch and finalising our packs we headed downstairs where two taxis waited.
My trusty Zorali hiking gear had served me well on challenging terrain before, from the West Highland Way’s demanding Scottish landscapes to Mount Teide’s volcanic slopes, and I was looking forward to putting it to the test again. We’d made the strategic decision to take taxis rather than walk the additional 15km each way to the trailhead. Attempting this summit in a single day was already ambitious enough without adding an extra 30km of approach hiking. The Prionia trailhead sits at 1,100m elevation and serves as the launching point for most Mount Olympus ascents.
After a quick cash stop, our taxi driver navigated the mountain pass from Litochoro to Prionia in about 25 minutes. The ride through the dark mountain roads was stomach-dropping as we wound around hairpin bends, but our driver handled the curves with the confidence of someone who’d made this journey countless times. Upon arrival, we stretched our legs and gave some attention to Marcus and his friend – two large dogs who seemed to be regular fixtures at the trailhead. They both spread themselves across the middle of the road as if they were entitled to pats and our attention. We said goodbye to the two unofficial gatekeepers and set off into the mythical realm.
Belle giving Marcus’ friend a pat at the Prionia trailhead
Into the Realm of Zeus
The initial 6km hike to the refuge took us through enchanted forest terrain that gradually opened up as we gained elevation. These lower slopes of Olympus have witnessed countless pilgrims, adventurers, and mythmakers. Ancient Greeks believed these very forests were inhabited by nymphs and satyrs, and hiking through the misty morning air, it wasn’t hard to imagine their presence. Although, at this very point in time, everything felt still, as if the forest was still asleep.
The path was undulating at first, then transitioned into snaking switchbacks as we approached the refuge. Belle, Gummy, and I found ourselves leading the group, with the others following close behind. The temperature was perfect for hiking – cool but not as cold as we’d anticipated, ideal conditions for what lay ahead.
Emerging from the forest as we ascend towards the refuge
We maintained a steady pace with water breaks but saved our snacking for the refuge, where I refuelled with a gel and muesli bar. The refuge offered toilet facilities but no free drinking water – a good reminder for future climbers to come well-prepared. After a solid recovery, we prepared for the day’s real challenge.
The ascent to Skala peak at 2,911m proved to be the most gruelling hiking section of our adventure. This arduous stretch wound up loose scree and rocky terrain above the refuge, continuing relentlessly for what felt like an eternity. The two-hour climb tested every ounce of our endurance and determination. With the peak looming in the distance for the majority of this leg, it felt like progress was slow.
Navigating the steep scree above the refuge, making our way to Skala peak
Along the way, we encountered fellow adventurers from around the globe – Germans, Dutch, Americans, and locals – all drawn to this legendary summit like pilgrims to a sacred shrine. We even spotted mountain deer near the path, reminders that we were entering the wild heart of Greece’s most famous mountain.
Reaching Skala provided our first taste of truly breathtaking views. Cloud cover rolled through the peaks like the breath of the gods themselves, while sunshine broke through intermittently, creating dramatic lighting across the ancient landscape. From this vantage point, we could faintly spot the Aegean Sea in the distance.
Gummy, Jake and I sitting on Skala Peak and refuelling before climbing to Mytikas
Clouds setting in and engulfing Skala Peak
Scrambling to the Throne of Zeus
From Skala, I initially thought the adjacent peak Skolio (2,905m) was our final destination, but I quickly realised our true target was Mytikas – a mere 7m higher than Skala but undoubtedly the most commanding and eye-catching of all the peaks. This is the true summit of Mount Olympus, the mythical throne room of Zeus himself.
Peering across from Skala, we could see other climbers carefully negotiating the technical terrain and scrambling toward the summit. The route required Grade 3 scrambling – an exciting change from the pure hiking we’d experienced on mountains like Mount Teide or during our West Highland Way adventure.
We fastened our helmets (rented from the amazing team at 55 Peaks in Litochoro) and began following the red and yellow spray paint markers toward Greece’s highest point. The anticipation was electric – we were about to set foot on the legendary summit where ancient Greeks believed Zeus hurled his thunderbolts.
The technical section began as we lowered ourselves onto the rock bridge linking the two peaks. Despite some traffic from harnessed tour groups, this initial scramble served as a perfect warm-up, allowing us to find our rhythm on the exposed limestone. What I initially thought was the final push to the summit turned out to be just the beginning – the route descended again before requiring us to scramble up and over another challenging section. Fortunately, the rock proved more stable than the loose scree below, and our rental helmets from went untested.
Climbers carefully navigating the rock bridge between Skala and Mytikas
Carefully lowering myself beneath Skala to begin the final scramble
When we finally reached the actual summit scramble, we knew we’d made it – a handful of climbers had gathered around a Greek flag flying proudly at 2,918 meters above sea level. The final moves required careful attention to handholds and footwork. But with confidence growing and solid rock holds, the exposure was nothing beyond our skill level.
Jake, Anna, Belle and I pictured beneath the final scramble to Mytikas
Taking our time scrambling amidst thick fog near Mytikas
Standing Among the Gods
Reaching the summit was an absolutely euphoric moment. Standing on Mytikas, the highest point in Greece, the 360-degree views were nothing short of divine – the Aegean Sea sparkled to the east, the Pindus Mountains rolled away to the west, and below us lay the ancient lands where Greek civilisation was born.
We took time to absorb every direction, savouring this hard-earned moment while sharing the summit with fellow adventurers from around the world. There’s something profoundly moving about standing on a peak that has inspired human imagination for over three millennia. From Homer’s epics to modern adventure stories, Mount Olympus has captured hearts and minds, and now we were part of that continuing legacy.
Climbers pictured up on the peak of Mytikas
The descent proved more technical than anticipated, requiring careful attention to each move. We travelled slower on the way down, taking in the scenery while focusing attentively on foot and hand placement. After losing the spray paint markers several times, we each found slightly different lines that eventually led us back to the main path – part of the adventure of scrambling terrain. The technical climbing was undoubtedly the day’s highlight. As relatively new scramblers, we were excited to build confidence on exposed terrain and learn new techniques that would serve us well on future adventures.
Belle and I scrambling down Mytikas into thick clouds
Our Victory Lap
Once back at Skala, we began the long descent to the refuge – tougher going than expected due to slippery, loose rocks that required constant attention. As mentioned in earlier travels, our lack of proper hiking footwear means that descending can be quite testing on the muscles and joints. However, seeing the same scenery in different light and with the satisfaction of summit success made every step a little easier.
At the refuge, we learned that the previous day’s summit attempts had been derailed by thunderstorms and lightning – a sobering reminder of how quickly conditions can change in alpine environments. This news made us even more grateful for our successful summit on our only opportunity before leaving Litochoro.
We called our taxi from the refuge, the only spot with minimal cell signal on the mountain. We asked for a pick-up in two hours, but he exclaimed that there was no way we could complete the descent in that time. Although we had come to trust the Greeks’ pride in local knowledge and their direct communication style, our Australian underdog mentality was sparked, and once lit, we couldn’t turn it off. We told him to meet us at the requested time and assured him we’d be ready. Quietly proud, we completed the descent in just an hour and 45 minutes, catching the unsuspecting taxi driver by surprise.
The final descent offered fresh perspectives on terrain we’d climbed in pre-dawn darkness, plus the satisfying ritual of greeting outbound hikers while knowing our ascending was done for the day. After reaching the trailhead and enjoying some fresh Mount Olympus spring water – naturally filtered through the limestone peaks above – we loaded into our taxis for the return to Litochoro.
The group walking down the final switchbacks into the forest above the Prionia trailhead
A Celebration Fit for the Gods
Back in Litochoro, we returned our rental helmets to 55 Peaks, thanking the staff for their excellent gear and local advice. Then came the moment we’d been dreaming about during those final descent kilometres – heading to Pappy’s for much-needed gyros. The combination of seasoned meat, chips, sauce, and fresh salad in warm pita was exactly what we were craving after 18km of hiking and nearly 2,000m of vertical ascent.
Sitting in that small Greek shop, exhausted but exhilarated, we reflected on what we’d accomplished. We’d started our day in darkness at 3:15 am and ended it having stood on the throne of Zeus himself. We’d pushed our limits, supported each other through challenging terrain, and earned bragging rights on one of the world’s most legendary mountains.
This unexpected detour during our Turkey-to-Balkans journey proved that sometimes the best adventures come when you’re willing to seize opportunities as they arise. Mount Olympus had called, and we’d answered – joining the ranks of countless adventurers who’ve felt the pull of Greece’s most mythical peak.
Check out the video below from Brian Matthews, offering a glimpse into the otherworldly sights.
