Climbing the mountain of the gods and the highest point in Greece 

Lured by myth and legends, Justine Gosling journeyed to Mount Olympus (Picture: Justine Gosling)

According to mythology, 12 mighty gods once ruled the world from Mytikas peak – the lofty summit of Mount Olympus and, at 2,918m, the tallest mountain in Greece.

Fast-forward a few thousand years and, if you believe that sort of thing, while the gods have left their throne, the mountain still lures in mortals with its mix of myth and adventure.

Drawn by the legends (and promise of slabs of feta cheese with every meal), I signed up for a two-day trip to conquer Olympus for myself.

The climb is long and challenging, but the reward is a view – and a sense of achievement – you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.

After landing in Thessaloniki, the odyssey begins in the small town of Litochoro, in the foothills of the fabled summit. Litochoro is the gateway to Olympus, and can be easily reached by car, bus or train.

Covered in suncream and laden with backpacks full of essentials for the overnight trek, we follow the shaded E4 route from Prionia through towering pine forests, taking care not to stumble over gnarled roots.

In the company of two seasoned local guides, we refuel with a hearty Greek salad at the Spilios Agapitos Refuge and leave the trees behind, weaving up the craggy landscape to join the Zonaria path.

Our spirits are high as we reach the ‘plateau of muses’, a spectacular spot named for the goddesses of arts and sciences, and a popular resting point for groups like ours.

The panoramas are stunning, and we spend the night at the Giosos Apostolidis refuge at an altitude of 2,697m. The hut is basic with no showers and squat toilets. We endure a sleepless night in a bunk room with 15 others, and I make a mental note that this journey is not for the faint of heart.

Mount Olympus is in northern Greece, on the regional border between Thessaly and Macedonia (Picture: Datawrapper/Metro)

Helmets and harnesses secured, we leave the hut at dawn, just as the horizon begins to turn orange.

Head torches illuminating our path, it’s just a 20-minute hike to the start of our scramble to the summit.

Attached in threes to our guide via rope, we start the climb using our hands to pull ourselves up and clamber over the rock, trying not to look down.

As we move, sunrise turns the sky pink. Puffs of cloud billow towards us and the rock I am clinging to is tinged a warm shade of rose; in the distance, the Aegean Sea shimmers silvery pink.

It’s as if Zeus is welcoming us.

Sunrise on Olympus (Picture: Justine Gosling)

The 200m ascent takes just under an hour, but it feels more ike 10 minutes, spent in awe of the magnificent scene surrounding us. 

On the highest point in Greece, we high-five with big smiles and snap photos with a metal flag of Greece.

There isn’t enough time in the world to drink in the divine views below.

As the wind whips around us, I shiver and turn to face the now blazing sun – perhaps recognition from the sun god, Apollo. 

We descend on the same route we had come, until we emerge back on the hiking path, passing only a couple of other people, relieved that none of us had come close to meeting Hades, god of the dead.

A challenging climb with a sweet reward (Picture: Justine Gosling)

Well accustomed to crowded peaks, I am pleasantly surprised by the quiet of the Olympus trail. After a quick omelette back at the hut at 9am, we return to the mortal world along the 12km Gkortsia trail. 

Back in Thessaloniki for a night before my flight home, I toast to our journey and the god of wine, Dionysus, with a glass of Greek natural wine at SinTrofi, a superb local restaurant.

I also give thanks to Poseidon, God of the seas, for my perfectly grilled prawns.

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