Prionia - Mytikas (Prionia - Skala - Mytikas)
Starting point: Prionia (1100 m)
Route name: Prionia - Skala - Mytikas
Walking time: 6 h
Difficulty: difficult marked way
Elevation gain: 1817 m
Elevation difference along the route: 1818 m
Map:
Recommended equipment (summer): self belay set
Recommended equipment (winter):
Views: 18.178
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Access to starting point:
You can find the starting point by driving along the main road through LITOCHORO (Greece) up the hill, and then before the main square on the right side you will find a directional traffic sign with OLYMPUS. Turn right here and then follow two more signs towards OLYMPUS, after which you can't get lost anymore. The starting point is therefore very easy to find. At the beginning of the trail, on the right side by the road, you will also find the tourist office of OLYMPUS park, where you can get additional information. From the village LITOCHORO to the starting point PRIONIA it is an 18 km drive on winding roads, from a few meters above sea level to 1100 m.
Route description:
At the starting point you can fill water bottles, and there is also a restaurant where you can eat something. We didn't use these services as the restaurant was still closed in the morning. At 6:45 we set off uphill. The trail in the first third led through a mixed deciduous forest, then the trees became increasingly sparse and smaller, and so after two and a half hours we arrived at the mountain hut SPILIOS AGAPITOS, where we had originally planned to spend the night. Here we treated ourselves to coffee and continued to the summit. Soon after the hut the trees disappear and from there on your companion is the sun, keep that in mind when deciding on the amount of water you will take with you. We reached the top of SKALA after 1 hour and 50 minutes of walking. Most of this second part of the trail ran along an endless, large, and slanted slab (very similar to the section of the trail from Mala Mojstrovka towards Vršič). To the top of SKALA I can add that the trail is suitable for all ages, just appropriate footwear and fitness for a 4-hour ascent are needed. From here onwards to MYTIKAS it's a different story. The slab turns and the trail from SKALA to MYTIKAS is extremely dangerous, and if the rocks are wet or a stronger wind is blowing, don't venture onto the trail.
Only three of us decided to continue to the highest peak of Greece, MYTIKAS, and it took 35 minutes. There are no safety features on the way, except 5 meters of cable and some pegs for tying a rope, although the same trail if it were in Slovenia would be much more secured. If already at the beginning of the trail you determine that it is too dangerous for your perception of danger, turn back, because the second half is a bit more dangerous, as you climb a few meters on almost bare rock, where good footwear and steady nerves are needed. At the top we took photos, made a few more photos of the valley, then returned to SKALA, which took 30 minutes. The descent from SKALA to the mountain hut took another hour and 45 minutes, from the hut to the starting point another 1 hour and 50 minutes. Proof of how much of a mountaineering nation we Slovenes are is the fact that there were three cars with Slovenian license plates at the starting point!
Along the route: Spilios Agapitos (2100m), Skala (2866m)
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Discussion about the trip Prionia - Mytikas (Prionia - Skala - Mytikas)
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| aggelopulos1. 01. 2011 |
Yes, it's true and that old Fiat Tipo belongs to my friend Maret, on 17 or 18 Sept 2010 we went up and met some of ours, I remember a guy with a small dog, when I addressed him just below the Skala summit in English we both realized we were from Slovenia. There was also an older gentleman and a younger lady.....met a lot of Belgraders. Otherwise we were lucky with the weather, soon after descent it started noticeably deteriorating and chased us all over Peloponnese until rain finally caught us on the ferry somewhere before the Albanian coast, when returning home with Aneka. Otherwise it was very nice, prices not exaggerated, beer 2.5 € in the upper Sui hut (nice bunk beds, mattresses, blankets...) and overnight 10€ per night. First evening we slept in sleeping bags behind the car and no one bothered us...Greetings, Zvone
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| navdušena29. 08. 2011 |
I think there's absolutely no need to carry a via ferrata set, as practically it's impossible to belay (except for that chain, which is really very short). Helmet is mandatory equipment, via ferrata set only if someone installs a wire rope. Otherwise - Mytikas only for the experienced...
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| yogo8. 08. 2013 |
End of July we visited the Olympus range, aiming to climb all three peaks Mytikas 2917m, Skolio 2911m and Stefani 2909m.
We started at the parking lot in Prionia and ascended a nice mountain path past the Spilios Agapitos hut to the path junction, there we turned right towards Zonaria and Louki Mytika. After initial switchbacks the path gradually climbs to the junction for Mytikas and 70 meters later to the junction for Stefani. Wife and kids went to Mytikas, I hurried also to Štefko. The path is marked, exposed and without protection, runs along steep natural steps and up is no trouble but down is nasty due to scree on rocks. At the forepeak I meet an older Greek who tells me the path ahead is dangerous, nevertheless I try and indeed need to short climb (II.) but very exposed.
I descend to the junction (250 vertical meters), then up again to Mytikas, the path is similar to Stefani only you reach the summit without climbing. Descent towards Skala is steep, no protection, must watch not to dislodge rocks, consists of two descents and ascents.
At Skala difficulties end, then gentle ascent to Skolio from where nice view back to the climbed peaks.
For the whole tour we used 8 hours with breaks.
Water at the parking lot and at the hut.
Helmet obligatory, self-belaying kit is useless here.
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| Roman6015. 02. 2014 |
From Kamnik to Olympus - Mytikas 2918 m, my friend and I drove on 5.9.2013 at 20:00 via HR, SRB, MK and after 14 hours parked in Plaka - Litochorou (1265 km to here). At Olympos Beach camp we rented a small bungalow for the night for both 20 eur. The next morning 7.9.2013 (date not correct on some photos) we got up early and drove to Prionia - 18 km, where the parking lot was already well occupied. From here the path to the top goes past hut "A" - 2100m.a.s.l. (2 hours to here), then to Skala 2866 m and from there to the top (2 hours 10 min.) Mountain of the Greek Gods - they were favorable to us! At the top satisfaction - perfect weather for ascent. Descent 2h 50 min., in ideal walking conditions, otherwise slightly humid in the forest in the morning. Nature wonderful, path well trodden, mountain hut large, well-equipped, in a scenic spot, prices reasonable, most importantly - staff very friendly! From Skala to the top the path is demanding, especially if wet, otherwise no problems if you're used to mountains. For me, a 36-year-old wish came true - feelings were wonderful and we both knew that the rest of the trip around Greece would be a complete success! Descent to the car and to the camp. Enjoyed a well-deserved two-hour swim in the warm Aegean Sea. In the evening we toasted the tour at the neighbor's - a passionate collector of antiques. He congratulated us and showed us more curiosities he keeps indoors. Dinner by the coast in a tavern finger-licking good! We discussed the day's events and slowly to sleep. Tomorrow on to Meteora, Delphi, then in the following days also Olympia, Stoupo, Mykene, Tolo - Navflio, Epidaurus, Akrokorint - Corinth Canal, Athens - Acropolis, Thermopylae, Volos - Sikia camp - excellent rooms, food, Plaka...... The gods were on our side all the time, 11 days of good weather, temperatures up to 36 degrees Celsius, water incredibly warm: 26 - 28 degrees C., in short CRAZY !!! Winning team - driver Vidmar Roman, official photographer Devetak Marjan. Accumulated 4532 km. The thought of when again is already emerging...
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| robson19. 05. 2015 |
Between 30.6. and 8.7. I'll be on vacation with my family in Greece near Olympus and of course I wouldn't want to miss such an opportunity to conquer Greece's highest mountain...  I'm wondering if anyone else is planning the same tour in that period? From our family, I'm the only one interested in Olympus and I'd rather go in good company than alone... 
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| egremni28. 09. 2015 |
I decided to write a few words myself, specifically because of the very dramatic writing of some here, which resulted in me postponing my trip to Mitikas for years already.
This year I finally decided to go, whatever happens. If it's too dangerous, I'll just turn back. The trail to Skala is described very correctly, it's beautiful and technically completely undemanding, only fitness is needed. From Skala onwards I expected a disaster but I have to say that, of course in dry weather, for someone who has perhaps already been to Triglav, there's nothing special. If I rate Triglav 10 for difficulty, this is about 6-7. Half the people come up in sneakers (which of course is not right), but boots are certainly useful. There are no overhangs, nor particularly exposed spots, so I think most of our Julians are more dangerous, and in snow and ice even Šmarna gora is dangerous. I wrote this solely to make it easier for those who might think like I did to decide. Otherwise it's very nice and I had a hard time saying goodbye to the summits and heading down to the valley.
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| alenkas4. 07. 2017 |
Hey!
Question: is the road to Prionia passable for a motorhome?
In August we're heading with a motorhome via Romania to Greece. Our main destinations Transylvania/Carpathians and Olympus.
Thanks! Alenka
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| Roman604. 07. 2017 |
The road is fully asphalted except the last 200 m. If buses reach Prionia, why not a house on wheels. Check my photos where everything is clearly visible. Enjoy - greet Zeus for me!
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| zokica24. 08. 2017 |
Roman60 is exaggerating a bit with the times.
Prionia - hut SA (E4) 1000m ascent - count 3 hours. In summer there is no water on this part, only at the start and then at the hut. Hut nice, clean, staff friendly.
From hut to Mytikas summit good 3 hours (about 40 minutes just for the part from Skala to Mytikas. To Skala trekking poles recommended - further store poles. Via ferrata set useless (no cables) except those 5m right below the summit, where there is also a slight descent. Helmet recommended in this part.
Descent - summit - Prionia - count between 4 and 5 hours.
From hut to summit practically exposed to sun all day in good weather.
Trail to hut on the eastern part of Olympus (morning sun, afternoon mostly shade, also due to forest - important in summer heat).
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| Gtre28. 08. 2017 |
I agree with Zokica; the fact is that the vast majority of hikers do the mentioned ascent and descent in two days.
A one-day "trip" to Mitikas is much more demanding and strenuous than the ascent to Triglav (route Krma-Planika-summit-Kredarica-Krma). If someone was scared on this path to Triglav, they should reconsider the ascent to Olympus.
Otherwise, really phenomenal views from the summit. Prices in the hut at 2100 are lower than in our mountains.
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| NEIC00821. 08. 2018 |
Many of you "complain" that the path is very demanding, I don't understand why it is then marked as demanding and not very demanding path?
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| Ksandi29. 07. 2022 10:50:44 |
After visiting Musala in Bulgaria, Boris and I slept in Litochoro in Greece and on 18.07.22 in the morning drove to Prionia, where the starting point for Mitikas is. We started at 6 am and reached hut "A" in two hours, after a half-hour break we continued the path and needed another two hours to the summit. We returned via Skala and needed three hours for the descent. It was quite hot.
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| Roman608. 08. 2022 17:15:18 |
Ksandi - congratulations on the successful ascent! I wish you beautiful and safe ascents in the mountains from now on.
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| J.P.11. 07. 2023 18:35:16 |
We went to Mitikas at the end of June. The road to the starting point (Prionia) is normally drivable, the parking is relatively small and occupied by multi-day hikers, an additional reason to arrive as early as possible. The path to the S. Agapitos hut is nice, with some shade. The path from the hut to the Skala summit is less interesting and more strenuous. The path to the Mitikas summit itself is poetry for the experienced, similar to that on Mrzla gora (mostly without fixed protection, some caution needed), perhaps even easier. Certainly those who have been to Škrlatica, Rjavina, Prisojnik, Triglav, Montaž, Viš,... will have no issues and will very likely enjoy it. Most hikers we met on Skala encounter such a path for the first time. Like Triglav, it must be done even without mountaineering mileage.
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