Explosivo Travel · Gortsia and the Plateau of the Muses
Mountain guides take you from Thessaloniki to the Gortsia trailhead, up through the forest to the Plateau of the Muses and a night in the Apostolidis refuge, then onto Mytikas, 2,917 m, if the weather holds. It's the trip for fit hikers who want the summit itself and a night above the clouds, not a view of the mountain from below.
The trip leaves on a Saturday. A bus collects you in central Thessaloniki, at the Thessaloniki Outlet Mall or in Kalamaria, drives about 75 minutes to Litochoro and another 30 minutes up to the Gortsia forest. From there you walk about 13 km: through beech and pine to the Petrostrouga refuge (1,920 m) by early afternoon, then above the tree line to the Plateau of the Muses and the Giosos Apostolidis refuge at 2,697 m. You sleep there. The summit attempt comes on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, whichever gives the better weather. Sunday ends with a 12.5 km descent past Zonaria and Refuge A Spilios Agapitos to Prionia, and the bus home.
Mytikas is not a walk. The last section is a scramble on exposed rock, with hands on stone, and the Louki couloir has steps that Topoguide rates as easy climbing of the 2nd to 3rd alpine degree. The guides take the summit in groups of 8 to 10, with helmets and ropes or belays on the technical parts. The whole trip can be up to 30 people. If the weather says no, they offer other goals instead: Profitis Ilias (2,803 m), the Kakkalos refuge or a viewpoint. Accidents in the Zonaria area in June 2025 and May 2026 are the reason for that caution; read our safety notes first.
Three things to know before you pay. Cancellation is not free: you can cancel, but fees apply and they depend on how close to the date you cancel, so read the terms on the listing first. Sources disagree on meals, so check what the listing says about food at the refuge. And bring your own sleeping bag or liner. The Apostolidis refuge opens from early June to the end of October, and snow can linger near the top early in that window.
Choose the city centre, the Thessaloniki Outlet Mall or Kalamaria. Bring your boots on your feet and your sleeping bag in the pack.
About 75 minutes to Litochoro, then 30 minutes up the mountain road to the Gortsia forest trailhead.
A break at the Petrostrouga refuge in early afternoon, then above the trees to the Plateau of the Muses.
Dinner and a bunk at 2,697 m. If the afternoon is clear, the guides may go for the summit before dark.
The scramble to 2,917 m in small groups with helmets, if the weather allows. If not, an alternative such as Profitis Ilias.
Back across the plateau, past Zonaria and Refuge A, down to Prionia and the bus to Thessaloniki.
★★★★★We had an amazing time doing the hike as well as just chatting and getting to know the guides
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No technical experience, but you need real fitness and a head for heights. The final scramble is exposed, and the guides add ropes on the technical parts. Read how hard Olympus is before you book.
The summit goes ahead only if conditions allow. The guides pick the safer window, Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, and otherwise lead an alternative such as Profitis Ilias at 2,803 m, the Kakkalos refuge or a viewpoint.
No. You can cancel, but fees apply depending on timing: the closer to departure, the more you lose. Check the exact terms on the listing before you pay.
Sources disagree, so check the listing before you go. Snacks and a sleeping bag or liner are yours to bring either way.
Ready to book
Two days with mountain guides, a night in a refuge and the scramble to Mytikas at 2,917 m, weather permitting.
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