The first ascents to the top of Mount Olympus.
On 2 August 1913, at 10:25 pm Christos Kakalos and the Swiss Frederic Boissonnas and Daniel Baud-Bovy conquered the highest, and unreachable till that day, peak of Mount Olympus, which they named "Peak Venizelos". On 12 August 1921, after a descent of Mitikas through the path of Louki (it was the first time that this route was used) Christos Kakalos and Marcel Kurz conquered the last unreached peak of Stefani or Zeus throne. The daughter of Frederic Boissonnas, Danielle, was the first woman who reached both Mitikas and Stefani peaks on 12 September 1927. A few minutes later Toula Apostolopoulou and Efi Nomidi - Markezini were the first Greek women conquering Greece's highest peak Mitikas.

Paths of mountain Olympus.

Path no 1: Litochoro - Prionia
Duration: 5 hours
Change in altitude: 700m
Level of difficulty: Medium

The international E4 hiking trail begins at Myli (400m altitude) at the upper end of the town of Litochoro and crosses the breathtakingly beautiful Enipeas gorge. The trail is well preserved and marked with informative signposts. After many ups and downs, it ends up at Prionia, the springs of Enipeas River at 1100m altitude. At first the trail follows Enipeas gorge on the left bank. Approximately halfway through, it begins to swerve, crossing the river many times over small wooden bridges, with the river bed at times to the left ant at times to the right. In the second half of the route is the Aghio Spileo (the Holy Cave) where Aghios Dionysios lived. After about twenty minutes, one can reach the Monastery of Aghios Dionysios. The monastery is definitely worth visiting and is open to pilgrims from April to October. Having left the monastery behind, for another ten minute walk the trail leads to the splendid Enipeas waterfalls. The route can be followed in the opposite direction, by going to Prionia or Aghios Dionysios Monastery by car.

Path no 2: Prionia - Spilios Agapitos refuge
Duration: 3 hours
Change in altitude: 1000m
Level of difficulty: Medium

The route from Prionia at 1100m altitude to Spilios Agapitos refuge at 2100m is the most trodden trail on Olympus. It is a part of the E4 trail and the natural continuation of the Litochoro - Prionia route. The highest point one can reach by car is Prionia (18 kilometers from Litochoro) where there is parking space. There we can also find the springs of Enipeas. A rustic restaurant is run in Prionia during the summer months. The trail runs through the forest for most of the route. The pines combined with the beech and fir trees, lend a charm to the landscape that is beyond comparison. The Spilios Agapitos refuge was build on a natural balcony surrounded by majestic perennial Bosnian Pines.

Path no 3: Spilios Agapitos refuge-Skala-Mytikas.
Duration: 3 hours
Change in altitude: 818m
Level of difficulty: Medium

The course increases in difficulty from Skala to Mytikas. From Spilios Agapitos refuge the trails inclines steeply and after about 20 minutes follows the ridge known as Chondro Mesorachi until it meets the crossroads, at an altitude of 2480m, leading to Zonaria on the right. A few meters further up and to the left is the trail leading to Stavrayties and Aghios Antonios. Following the main trail, the E4, along a bare alpine landscape with a substantial gradient, you will reach the peak known as Skala at 2866m after an hour's hike. From there, the red marks on the rocks along the route called Kakoskala, which got its name from the natural steps in Greek, lead to Mytikas. Note that this part of the route is particularly difficult.

Path no 4: Spilios Agapitos refuge- Louki- Mytikas.
Duration: 3 hours
Change in altitude: 818m
Level of difficulty: High. Certain parts dangerous.

The first part of the route is identical to the previous one right up to the crossroads for Zonaria at an altitude of 2480 meters. From there, follow the trail that leads right. At first it inclines steeply and then follows the folds of the Zonaria for quite a while up to the point where the characteristic Louki begins. Red arrows on the rocks lead to Mytikas. This route is particularly difficult and, at Louki, dangerous due to landslides, so mountain climbers must be particularly careful.

Path no 5: Spilios Agapitos refuge- Muses Plateau.
Duration: 1,5 hours
Change in altitude: 550m
Level of difficulty: High

Within minutes of heading from the Spilios Agapitos refuge towards to the mountain peaks, the trail forks to the right towards the Muses Plateau at 2650m where the refuge of Giosos Apostolodis and Christos Kakkalos are found. The trail is also known as Kofto, meaning short-cut, as it provides a quicker route for reaching the Muses Plateau. It is quite steep and caution is required in some parts where there is snow. It lies at a lower altitude than the Zonaria trail.

Path no 6: Gortsia - Petrostrouga- Muses Plateau.
Duration: 6 hours
Change in altitude: 1600m
Level of difficulty: Medium

At the fourteenth kilometer along the way from Litochoro to Prionia there is a narrow road that leads to a parking area. This site is called Gortsia. From there a wide trail leading to the Muses Plateau and refuges Christos Kakalos and Giosos Apostolidis. The trail leads through a beautiful forest for the most of two thirds of the way, and the rest of the hike is spent in an alpine landscape with low vegetation. Before starting out, make sure to fill up water bottles as along the way there is no spring that runs throughout the year. There are fountains in two places, at Strangos and in the beech forest, but in order to reach them a detour of 10 to 15 minutes is needed.

The first characteristic part of the route is the plateau known as Barba. We then continue our route through a beech forest for quite a while and after having climbed quite high up on the slopes we come upon a water tank. From there we head left and after a ten minute walk, reach the cave where the great Olympus painter Vassilis Ithakisios lived for many years.

Continuing on the main trail, very soon we reach Petrostrouga at 2000m with its breathtaking view over one hundred year old Bosnian pines. Then going up another steep incline, we reach the Skourta peak at 2485 m, where the alpine landscape begins and the panoramic view is exquisite. A narrow slope called Lemos starts here and ends at the Muses Plateau. As soon as we reach the plateau the trail forks. The left trail leads to Christos Kakalos refuge after a thirty minute walk and the right trail to Giossos Apostolidis refuge after forty minute walk. Using the refuges as starting points, short climbs are possible up to peaks Toumba at 2801 meters and Prophitis Ilias at 2803 meters. The lofty peaks of Olympus are also accessible if one follows the trail at the base of Stefani leading to Zonaria.

Path no 7: Muses Plateau Mountain Peaks.
Route 1. (Giosos Apostolidis & Christos Kakkalos refuges) Louki- Mitikas.
Duration: 1 hour
Change in altitude: 268m
Level of difficulty: High

The Muses Plateau and more particularly the refuges Giossos Apostolidis at 2700 m and Christos Kakalos at 2650m are the starting points of the journey to the peaks. The trail begins at the two refuges. Leaving behind Portes to the right, continue on your course passing right under Stefani and reach the col between the two peaks. From those standpoints, Mytikas is in front and to the left and Stefani to your right. Follow the red arrows on the rocks that lead through Louki to Mytikas in thirty to forty minutes. The route through Louki is a difficult one and often dangerous due to landslides.

Route 2. Muses plateau (Giosos Apostolidis & Christos kakkalos refuges) - Prophitis Ilias - Toumba.
Duration: 1/2 hour
Change in altitude: 153m
Level of difficulty: Low

The routes leading from the Giosos Apostolidis refuge to Prophitis Ilias peak at 2803 meters are very easy. Only 10 to 15 minutes are needed to enjoy the breathtaking views of the plain of Pieria and Kazania respectively. A visit to the highest country church of the Balkans, Prophet Ilias, built on the homonymous peak by Saint Dionysius in the 16th century.

Path no 8: Litochoro - Golna- Kastana Spring - Litochoro
Duration: 3-4 hours
Change in altitude: 530-960-420m
Level of difficulty: Low

Following the road that leads from Litochoro to Aghios Ioannis we come to a crossroad. The road to the left goes to Aghios Ioannis and the one to the right to Prophitis Ilias. The crossroads is also the starting point of a steep trail that ends at Golna after a one hour walk. Heading in a north westernly direction the trail heads downwards till, some time later, it meets the E4 trail that links Litochoro and Prionia. This trail in an Eastern direction returns to Litochoro. The route is quite easy and gives a taste of Mount Olympus, as it combines a view of the mountain peaks with a short trip into Enipeas gorge.

Path no 9: Vryssopoules - Skolio.
Duration: 3hours
Change in altitude: 1111 m
Level of difficulty: Relatively low

Beginning from the village of Sparmos in the Prefecture of Larissa, heading in the direction of Kryovrysi, a 17 kilometer forest road ends at Vryssopoules, the location of the army's K.E.O.A.H (Alpine Skiing Games Training Centre). Right above the army facilities is the 2nd mountain refuge, at an altitude of 1800m. The trail starts at Vryssopoules. At first it follows the pylons of the ski resort up to the emergency refuge at 2450m and then passes the Aghios Antonios peak on the left and ends up the col between the peaks Aghios Antonios at 2817m and Skolio at 2911 m. It is a quick and easy way to reach the mountain peaks, particularly in winter, but the entire hike takes place in a bare and treeless alpine landscape.

Path no 10: Xerolakki - Naoum Stream- Muses Plateau.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Change in altitude: 1350m
Level of difficulty: Dangerous

Following the forest road that leads from Petra to Kokkonoplos at the fifth kilometer and on the left there is a bad forest road that heads on perpendicularly into the forest. There is a metal bar at the start of this road and the area is hence named Bara. Following this road for about 10 kilometers there is a stream called Naoum. The road passes the river bed and continues right under characteristic grottoes. This is a truly beautiful route with wild beauty and unusual view of the lofty peaks. After crossing the ravine there is Kazania, where the old trail goes under the mountain peaks and the new trail with the yellow marks along the way leads directly to Portes at 2700m. The last two route variations require caution and are similar difficulty to that encountered on the climb up to Louki on Mytikas.