The Mountain
Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, known worldwide mainly for its mythological context, as at its top (Mytikas, altitude 2,918.80 meters) lived the Twelve "Olympian" Gods according to the religion of the ancient Greeks.
It is also the second highest mountain in the Balkans (after Rila in Bulgaria). Its compact mountain range dominates the borders of Macedonia and Thessaly, with a series of high peaks that groove deep ravines, around which an area of particular biodiversity extends. For the protection of this unique heritage, it was declared in 1938 as the first National Park in Greece.
Every year thousands of nature lovers visit Mount Olympus, to admire up close the charm of its nature and to enjoy touring its slopes and conquering its peaks. Organized mountain shelters with a variety of mountaineering and climbing routes are available to visitors who want to explore its beauties. The classic starting point is the town of Litochoro at the eastern foot of the mountain, 100 km from Thessaloniki, where the Mount Olympus Mountaineering Marathon ends at the beginning of each summer.