Climb Mount Olympus (2918m) — Self-Launched

Fly into Thessaloniki Macedonia International Airport (SKG). From the airport, take the X1 express bus or city bus 78 into Thessaloniki city centre (around £1.50). If you have time before the afternoon bus, explore the waterfront promenade, the White Tower, or grab a coffee on Aristotelous Square. In the late afternoon, head to Thessaloniki's KTEL Macedonia bus station and catch a KTEL bus to Litochoro — buses run several times daily, the journey takes around 1.5 hours and costs approximately £7–9. Alternatively, the train from Thessaloniki to Litochoro station (served by the Athens–Thessaloniki line) takes a similar time and costs around £5–7. Check in to your guesthouse in Litochoro — there are several excellent budget options in the village, including Litochoro Olympus Resort or smaller family-run guesthouses from around £25–35/night for a private room. Head out for a hearty dinner at one of the village tavernas — expect to pay £8–12 for a full Greek meal with a beer.

🚌City bus/X1 from SKG airport to Thessaloniki centre (~£1.50), then KTEL bus Thessaloniki → Litochoro (~£7–9)

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Litochoro village (e.g. Hotel Mirto, Litochoro Olympus Resort, or similar) — private twin/double room approx £25–35/night

• →Arrive at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) and take the city bus or X1 express to the centre (~£1.50)
• →Explore Thessaloniki city centre if arriving early — White Tower, Aristotelous Square, waterfront
• →Take the KTEL bus from Thessaloniki to Litochoro (~£7–9, ~1.5 hrs) from KTEL Macedonia station
• →Check in to a guesthouse in Litochoro village
• →Dinner at a local taverna in Litochoro

Early start. From Litochoro, take a taxi up the forest road to the Prionia trailhead at around 1,100m (3,609 ft) — a shared taxi or privately arranged transfer costs around £10–15 per person each way (agree the fare in advance; taxis gather near the main square). Alternatively, some hikers walk or hitch from Litochoro — it's a long forest road and not ideal. The trail from Prionia follows the E4 long-distance path upward through beautiful forest of pine, fir, and beech. The route is well-signed with red-and-yellow waymarkers. After roughly 7–8 hours of hiking (7 miles / ~1,600m ascent), you arrive at Refuge Spilios Agapitos (Refuge A) at 2,100m (6,890 ft). Book your bunk in advance directly via the refuge website (refugeolympus.gr) — a dorm bed costs around €14–18 (~£12–15) including blankets. The refuge serves hot meals (€10–15 per dish) and cold drinks. Relax on the terrace with sweeping views over the Plateau of Muses and the surrounding peaks.

🚌Taxi from Litochoro to Prionia trailhead (~£10–15/person). Hiking the E4 trail on foot from Prionia.

🛏Refuge Spilios Agapitos (Refuge A), Mount Olympus — mixed dorm bunk, blankets provided, solar power in evenings. Book directly at refugeolympus.gr. Approx £12–15/night.

• →Taxi from Litochoro to Prionia trailhead (~£10–15/person)
• →Hike the E4 trail from Prionia through pine and fir forest — 7–8 hrs, ~7 miles, ~1,600m ascent
• →Break through the treeline for panoramic views of the Olympus massif
• →Arrive at Refuge Spilios Agapitos (Refuge A) at 2,100m — pre-book a dorm bunk via refugeolympus.gr (~£12–15)
• →Hot dinner at the refuge restaurant (€10–15 per dish, pay on site)
• →Evening views over the Plateau of Muses

Very early start — aim to leave the refuge by 5:00–5:30 AM with a head torch to reach the summit before afternoon thunderstorms (common in summer). From Refuge A, follow the well-marked trail toward Skala Peak. From Skala you have two options: traverse the ridge to Skolio (2,911m) — a straightforward but airy ridge walk — or tackle the scramble to Mytikas (2,918m), the true summit. Mytikas involves around 200m of Grade II scrambling (use of hands required); it is technically manageable for experienced hikers but should not be attempted in wet or icy conditions or by those without a head for heights. The trail is marked with cairns. Helmets and rope are not required for Mytikas in dry conditions but trekking poles and good footwear are essential. Enjoy spectacular views over the Aegean Sea and surrounding gorges. Descend via the Kakkalos/Gkortsia trail (a different path for variety — well-marked), arriving at the Gkortsia trailhead in the afternoon. From Gkortsia, arrange a pre-booked taxi back to Litochoro (~£10–15/person), or hike the last stretch of road. Return to your Litochoro guesthouse, shower, and celebrate with a cold beer and a proper Greek dinner at a village taverna.

🚌On foot summit day. Pre-booked taxi from Gkortsia trailhead to Litochoro (~£10–15/person).

🛏Return to guesthouse in Litochoro village — same as Day 1 (~£25–35/night)

• →Pre-dawn start from Refuge A with head torch (~5:00 AM)
• →Hike to Skala Peak, then choose your summit: Skolio (2,911m) ridge walk or Mytikas (2,918m) scramble — Grade II, no technical equipment needed in dry conditions
• →Summit views over the Aegean Sea, Thessaly plains, and the full Olympus massif
• →Descend via the Kakkalos / Gkortsia trail (different from ascent route) — 7–8 hrs total
• →Taxi from Gkortsia trailhead back to Litochoro (~£10–15/person)
• →Celebratory beer and dinner at a Litochoro taverna

Enjoy a final breakfast at your guesthouse or at a local café in Litochoro. Take the KTEL bus back to Thessaloniki (~£7–9, 1.5 hrs) — buses run throughout the morning. If your flight is in the afternoon or evening, you have time to explore Thessaloniki properly: the Byzantine walls, Ano Poli (Upper Town), the Archaeological Museum, or the famous Modiano food market. From the city centre, take the X1 bus or a taxi to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) in time for your flight.

🚌KTEL bus Litochoro → Thessaloniki (~£7–9). City bus or taxi to SKG airport (~£1.50–12).

🛏None (departure day)

• →Final breakfast at guesthouse café or local bakery in Litochoro
• →KTEL bus from Litochoro back to Thessaloniki (~£7–9, ~1.5 hrs)
• →Optional: explore Thessaloniki — Ano Poli, Byzantine Walls, Modiano Market, Rotunda
• →X1 bus or taxi from Thessaloniki city centre to SKG Airport (~£1.50–12)