So there I was, standing on the summit after climbing Mount Olympus. I did it! Sitting at 2918m it is the highest mountain in Greece and home to Zeus, the sky and thunder god in the Ancient Greek religion. And I was there, on top. How did it happen? Well, I must admit I wasn’t quite sure what I got myself into when I promised a friend a month ago I would do it. My family might have thought I was crazy. But why not? I loved the idea of it and the challenge that came with it.
Hiking Mount Olympus
It was a big day yesterday. I finished hiking Mount Olympus! I did it, all the way to the top. Starting from the A-camp at 2100m at 6.45am, arriving at the top (2918m) at 9.20am. It was steep, very steep and all I could do was putting one foot in front of the other. At first I arrived at the lower peak of Skala (2866m) from where I could see the ultimate peak Mytikas, my goal. It looked pretty achievable from far away apart for the whole climbing up and down rocks part. Well, it was too late to turn back anyway and my adrenaline was pumping.
The path to Skala is steep with soft gravel under foot but you follow a path. The part from Skala to Mytikas is semi rock climbing. The weather was perfect, the Sky was blue, so if I wouldn‘t do it then, I wouldn‘t get another opportunity. So I went for it, one step after another, holding on to rocks while climbing with confidence and trust in my ability. It was great! Standing up on the top, looking over the mountains and seeing the clouds below was phenomenal.
I wasn’t the only one but I was one of the first on the day as there is always someone else walking the same path so you are never alone.
Was hiking Mount Olympus difficult? Yes! But the difficult part is always trumped by the feeling of accomplishment and self fulfilment when you reach the top and look far into the horizon. This is where Zeus lived and I was there too, so it was worth it! The feeling being up there, right at the top is unbelievable!
My hiking Mount Olympus Summary
Walking back and down hill 5 hours straight is hard work, and yes my muscles are very sore today, the day after. And of course they would be. But did I mention it was worth it? It is the highest and most challenging mountain I have climbed to date but I don‘t believe it is the last one. Because as long as there is no reason not to do it, I’d rather do it! Agree?
Hiking Mount Olympus was definitely one of my highlights in Greece!
Read more about my other hiking experiences under ‘activities’. I had also no idea that I would be hiking the Trolltunga in Norway only a few months later!
