Ascending through clouds
At the end of September, I went with a group of friends to climb Mount Olympus. It was my friend’s birthday that weekend, and we wanted to do something memorable. We also agreed that Olympus is probably one of the best choices in Greece in terms of balancing difficulty and natural beauty for the hiking beginners in the group.
We stayed in Litochoro the first night and started the ascent early the next morning from Gorchia (I don’t know how to spell it in english :P). The weather wasn’t exactly on our side — the forecast had been warning us about rain and snow all week. Sure enough, as soon as we began, we found ourselves surrounded by thick fog and light rain. Strangely, I enjoyed it. The mist gave the forest a mysterious feel, like we were walking through another world. It was cold and humid, but that only made it more refreshing. Since it was still the start of the hike, our spirits were high and we just laughed it off.
After a while, we started ascending above the clouds. Suddenly, the sky opened up and we could see the sea of fog below us. It felt like the mountain was welcoming us. The view was incredible, but what really lifted my mood was spotting the refuge in the distance. Seeing it after hours of hiking felt like a reward. Fortunately, since we arrived early at the refuge of Kakalos and there was a cancellation of a big group, we managed to find some beds to spend the night there. The alternative would be to spend the night outside in our tents at -2°C.
Although tempting, we decided not to play with our luck.
We stopped there to rest and eat before heading for the peak — Mytikas. From the beginning, our whole trip had this “let’s just go and see what happens” mindset. We hadn’t overplanned, and we didn’t even know if the weather would allow us to reach the top. But when we got to the Plateau of the Muses, the sky cleared, and we decided to go for it. Nothing could stop us at that point.
The final part toward Mytikas is known for being tricky, but honestly, I really enjoyed it. It wasn’t just hiking anymore — it had a bit of climbing too. Most people were using ropes, but since we hadn’t brought any, we just went for it. It was pure fun and adrenaline. I highly suggest though to use all recommended precautions (helmets, ropes etc.).
Reaching the top was a mix of excitement, pride, and disbelief. Even after several hours of hiking, I didn’t feel tired at all. I was just thrilled to be there, standing on the highest point in Greece.
That night at the refuge turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. When the clouds cleared, the sky filled with stars, and you could even see the Milky Way. We met a guy who was really into stargazing — he had a laser pointer and was showing us different constellations. Maybe he was exaggerating some things, but it didn’t matter. The atmosphere, the people, and the mountain vibe made everything feel special. The most rewarding thing for me that night was enjoying a hot bowl of soup after a very long day in the cold, in the warm and cozy environment of the refuge.
The next morning, we started our descent through rain and fog again, tired but happy. The whole group was already talking about our next hiking trip. What stayed with me the most was the sense of community on the mountain — everyone was friendly and open. Olympus gave us an unforgettable experience: tough but rewarding, challenging but full of beauty. See you at the next one. Cheers!
