3 days at the Mythical Mountain - Climb Olympus (Mytikas 2918m) on 11-13 / 9

Olympus is one of the most charming mountains in Greece. Isolated from the other mountain groups, with the main feature of the highest peak in Greece at 2,918 m., It fascinates with the myth of the ancient twelve gods.

Its strict and majestic mountainous terrain, together with the National Park, contributes to its charm, as a result of which it is a strong attraction for Greek and foreign climbers.

The changes of the landscape that it reveals are impressive. Its densely planted, shady low parts contrast with its alpine configuration that is found higher, offering the climbers images of exceptional wild beauty.

The first known ascent to the top of Olympus was made in August 1913 by the Greek Christos Kakalos, and the Swiss Frederic Boissonnas and Daniel Baud-Bovy.

The report is perhaps redundant since the ancient Greeks had placed their 12 gods at the top of Olympus, which they did not dare to approach. They reached the peaks of Agios Antonios and Profitis Ilias, where they had visual contact with the peak, and there they left their tributes.

To the north of Litochoro, at a distance of about 10 km, is the ancient, the most important place of worship of the Macedonians that flourished from 400 BC. until the end of the Roman period. Ancient remains such as settlements, burial grounds, fortifications, etc. have been found on the north and east sides of Olympus.

On the west side of the mountain was the city and south of the present homonymous village is preserved the base of the temple of Pythian Apollo. On the east side of the mountain, north of the village of Skotina, there are the ruins of the ancient city, which is associated with the birth and death of Orpheus from the Mainades, as in this place were buried parts of his body, by the muses.

Olympus National Park was founded in 1938 and is the oldest of the 10 national terrestrial parks in Greece. It occupies an area of ​​40,000 acres and extends from the eastern side of the mountain (altitude 600 m.) To its peaks. UNESCO, recognizing the special importance of Olympus, since 1981 has included it in the program Man and Biosphere, whose purpose is to protect and preserve the largest ecosystems on our planet.

THE PATH OF MUSES

Gortsia Place (Crossroads) - Petrostrouga Place - Muse Plateau - Mytika Peak

Route Details

• Category: Mountaineering
• Route Type: Crossing
• Route Length: 11.5 km
• Time without stops: ± 6 hours.
• Lowest point: 1091m
• Highest Point: 2918m
• Ground Condition: Path 12.3 km (98%), Dirt Road 180m
• Drinking water on the route: Yes
• Vegetation: First part yes, second part no
• Difficulty of route: Louki +5 rest 3 *

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

LITOHORO - GORTSIA - PETROSTROUGA

13.00 - 13.30: Meeting in Litochoro in the Central Square

13.30: Departure with our cars for the place Gortsia 1100m

14.30: We start our hike following a path through a forest of black pines that ascends smoothly to the ridge of Gortsia. We soon reach the Barba plateau at the first break point of the climb. From Barba we continue on a smooth uphill through a forest of conifers and beech, cross the Coca shoulder and exit to the meadow of Strangos. From there we continue on a main path to the shelter of Petrostrouga which rises at the bottom of a sloping stone slope with sparse but giant robola at an altitude of 1930m.

18.00: Arrival at the shelter of Petrostrouga where we spend the night. The view from the shelter to Litochoro and the sea is wonderful. We enjoy the unique colors of the sunset !!

• Length of the route: 5.3 km
• Maximum altitude: 1950m Minimum altitude: 1091m
• Total ascent 860m
• Travel time is estimated at stops ± 3.30 hours

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

PETROSTROUGA - PLATEAU - KAKALOS SHELTER

07.00: Waking up in the morning for breakfast and preparing for our hike.

08.00: Departure to the plateau of the Muses, with destination the mountain refuge Kakalos! We follow the path that leads us to Skourta, it ascends smoothly but persistently with open maneuvers on bare slopes. In ± 2 hours we reach Skourta 2476m, the first rest point of our climb. Next is Laimos, a very narrow passage at first sight, which, however, runs through a wide and safe path.

At the end of the Neck, after a few maneuvers, we reach the Passage of Giosos and immediately exit to the Plateau of the Muses. Now the shelter is visible in front of us !!

11.30: Arrival at the shelter Shelter Kakalos (2650m). Arrange our equipment and yes it is time to enjoy a genuine mountaineering meal !! In the afternoon we will tour the adjacent peaks, Megali Toumpa (2801m) and Profitis Ilias (2803m). Evening meal, overlooking the "Throne of Zeus", enjoying the unique colors of the setting sun !!

• Length of the route: 5.9 km
• Maximum altitude: 2650m (Shelter Kakalος)
• Minimum altitude: 1950m
• Total ascent 700m
• Travel time is estimated at stops ± 3.30 hours

MONDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2021

CLIMBING IN MYTIKA 2918M

06.30: Waking up in the morning for breakfast and preparing for our ascent to the top of Olympus (2918m Mytikas).

07.15: We start for our ascent to Mytikas !! Starting from our shelter we will traverse Stefani, reaching in about 30 minutes the Zoni of Stefani.

09.00-09.30: MYTIKAS TOP 2918M. Having now reached the top you can capture your impressions in the book of climbing history, we take our souvenir photos and we prepare for our return to the shelter Kakalos

12.00: Having now completed our ascents to the highest peaks, it is time to start our descent. We return from the same route, to the shelter of Petrostrouga where we will stop for snacks and coffee. We continue our journey to Gortsia where our cars will be located

• Length of the route: 11.2 km
• Maximum altitude: 2650m (cat. Ch. Kakalos)
• Minimum altitude: 1091m
• Total descent: 1559m
• The return journey time is estimated at stops ± 5.00 hours

COST PER PERSON: 160 €