Mt. Olympus

Map of Mt. Olympus

From Meteora I took the train again and headed to the small town of Litochoro near Mt Olympus. I had recently finished a book about greek mythology, (written by Stephen Fry) which frequently mentioned Mt. Olympus the home of the gods and goddesses. My hostel was also right next to the beach, so it was a short walk to go for a swim in the beautiful Aegean ocean. 
Day 1
I got things organised and headed up the start of the track. My destination was the lodge on route to Mt. Olympus where I would spend the night. On my way I saw some beautiful views, and also a drove of donkeys.

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Wildflowers beside the path

Start of the track

View from the lodge

I headed on up and got to the lodge. It is in a beautiful spot with views across the Aegean ocean. The lodge is also huge and incredibly well organised. There is a menu with all sorts of options. I had pre-booked my spot in the lodge, which is important because it is very popular! 

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The lodge

Mt. Olympus

Day 2
The next morning, bright and early, everyone in the lodge rustled awake, had breakfast, and started on heading up the mountain. It was a beautiful day, fine and clear, perfect for a climb up the legendary mount Olympus! 
It didn't take much heading upwards to get out of the bushline above the lodge, and there were beautiful views of the Aegean ocean in the distance.

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View of the Aegean ocean just as I left the bush line. The lodge is visible in the lower left hand corner of this photo.

The trail

Me just below the peak of Skolio

I headed on up to the second highest peak on Mt Olympus, Skolio (2,911m), getting to this point had been a straightforward walk upwards. The views from the summit are just stunning.

​The highest peak, Mitikas (2,917m), on Mt Olympus, also known as the throne of Zeus, is harder to get to. It is a rock climb, and has bolts and anchors for people that want to use ropes to climb it. The conditions were very good, so I felt confident climbing it by myself. I'd hired a climbing helmet from an outdoors store the day before to protect myself from any falling rock.
​I popped my helmet on, had a drink of water and some snacks and off I set, carefully climbing up to the high peak.

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Mitikas peak, also known as the throne of Zeus (2,917m)

Part of the climb to the highest peak

I climbed on up and got to the summit. As I arrived, so did a guide and his two clients. There was also a Greek flag at the summit, it is the highest point in Greece. 

Me on the summit of Mitikas

There are some nice places to sit on the summit, so I had a few snacks and a drink and enjoyed the view. ​I headed back down from the summit, and got to the town just in time to drop off my climbing helmet. I also got back to my hostel, right next to the sea in time to swim in the ocean just as the sun was setting above the peak high above that I had climbed earlier in the day.

View from the summit