For a two-day Mount Olympus climb you need a 40–50 litre pack, a three-layer clothing system, sturdy footwear and at least 2 litres of water. The standard Prionia-to-Mytikas route covers about 18 km and 1,800 m of ascent with a night at Refuge A (2,100 m), so you carry a light overnight kit up and a stripped-down summit bag for the exposed final scramble to 2,918 m.
Olympus is not a technical mountain in summer, but it spans a huge range of conditions — 30°C heat at the trailhead and near-freezing wind at the summit. Pack for that spread and you will be comfortable; pack for one or the other and you will struggle. This 2026 list is built around the two-day refuge route most hikers take.
What size pack do you need for Mount Olympus?
A 40–50 litre pack is the sweet spot for the two-day refuge route on Mount Olympus. You sleep indoors and refuge meals are available, so you do not need a tent or stove, but you still carry warm layers, food and 2+ litres of water on the long climb. A supportive, ventilated pack matters on the hot ascent: the Osprey Atmos AG 50 with its Anti-Gravity back panel keeps your spine cool, while the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 offers excellent load transfer for heavier loads. Ultralight hikers can drop to the Zpacks Arc Blast 55L if they keep total weight under about 9 kg.
What clothing layers should you bring?
Use a three-layer system to handle the 15°C-plus temperature swing between Litochoro and the summit. Build it as follows:
- Base layer: a moisture-wicking merino or synthetic top — see our guide to hiking base layers for the merino-versus-synthetic trade-off.
- Mid layer: a light fleece or insulated jacket for the cold refuge evening and the summit ridge.
- Shell: a waterproof, windproof hardshell — afternoon thunderstorms build fast over the ridgeline.
- Legs: quick-drying hiking trousers; shorts work on the lower climb but cover up for the wind on Skala.
- Extras: warm hat, gloves, sun hat and a buff for the exposed upper mountain.
Mornings above 2,500 m can sit near freezing even in July, so the insulating mid layer is non-negotiable. The full layering logic for alpine days is in our mountain layering system guide.
What footwear works best on Olympus?
Choose stiff-soled hiking shoes or boots with good grip and ankle support. The upper mountain is loose scree and rock, and the Mytikas scramble involves hands-on Class 3 moves where secure footing is essential. Many hikers now use rugged trail runners for the approach, but a supportive boot gives more confidence on the descent with a pack — our best hiking boots roundup compares the leading 2026 models. Pack a spare pair of socks and treat any hot spots early to avoid blisters on the long downhill.
How much water and food should you carry?
Carry at least 2 litres of water from Prionia, as the spring water at Refuge A is the last reliable source before the summit. The refuge sells meals and snacks, but bring your own high-energy food for the summit push — around 1,500–2,000 kcal of trail snacks for the two days. A long alpine day burns serious energy; our breakdown of calories burned hiking explains why. Electrolyte tablets help in the heat, and our hiking electrolytes guide covers dosing for hot, high days.
What safety and navigation gear is essential?
Bring a headlamp for the pre-dawn summit start, a basic first-aid kit, sun protection (SPF 30+, sunglasses and a hat) and a printed or offline map of the Prionia–Refuge A–Mytikas route. The path is well marked but the summit area is exposed, and the Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing recommends carrying a charged phone with the emergency number 112 saved. A small first-aid kit and a whistle round out the essentials. For full conditions and refuge contact details, check the Olympus National Park management agency before you set off.
What should you leave behind for the summit dash?
On day two, leave your overnight kit, spare clothes and food at Refuge A and climb to Mytikas with a near-empty pack carrying only water, a shell, snacks and your phone. The lighter you are on the Kakoskala scramble, the steadier you will feel. A compact summit pack such as the Zpacks Bagger Ultra 25L is ideal if you want a dedicated lightweight bag for the final push, then transfer everything back to your main pack for the descent.
What extras make the climb more comfortable?
A few small items punch above their weight on Olympus. A buff or neck gaiter blocks the wind on the exposed Skala ridge and doubles as sun protection in the hot lower forest. Lightweight gloves matter more than people expect, because the Mytikas scramble means gripping cold rock early in the morning. A 10,000 mAh power bank keeps your phone alive for navigation and the 112 emergency line across two days off-grid. And a dry bag or pack liner protects your insulation from sudden afternoon rain, which can soak an unlined pack in minutes on the upper mountain. None of these add meaningful weight, yet each removes a common source of misery on the climb.
Sample two-day Mount Olympus kit list
Here is a tried-and-tested kit for the standard refuge route, kept to roughly 8 kg loaded:
- Pack: 40–50 L ventilated bag with good hip-belt load transfer
- Clothing: base layer, fleece, insulated jacket, hardshell, hiking trousers, warm hat and gloves
- Footwear: stiff hiking shoes or boots plus a spare pair of socks
- Sleep: lightweight sleeping bag liner (Refuge A provides blankets)
- Water and food: 2 L water capacity, electrolyte tablets and 1,500–2,000 kcal of snacks
- Safety: headlamp, first-aid kit, sun protection, offline map and a phone with 112 saved
This is far lighter than the camping kit you would carry on a self-supported route. Unlike the one-day Samaria Gorge, where a small daypack is enough, or the guesthouse-based Menalon Trail, Olympus needs warm layers because the summit can sit near freezing while the trailhead bakes at 30°C. Build the kit around that 15°C-plus temperature spread and you will be comfortable from forest to summit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need crampons for Mount Olympus in summer?
No, from late June to September the standard route is normally snow-free and crampons are not needed. If you climb in May or early June, lingering snow on the north-facing scree below Mytikas may require microspikes, so check current conditions with the national park before deciding.
Can you sleep at the Mount Olympus refuge without booking?
It is risky in peak season. Refuge A (Spilios Agapitos) at 2,100 m fills up weeks in advance during July and August, so a reservation is strongly recommended. In quieter months like June and September you have a better chance of a walk-in bunk, but booking ahead still guarantees a bed and a meal.
How heavy should your Mount Olympus pack be?
Aim for a total loaded weight of 7–10 kg for the two-day refuge route, including 2 litres of water. Because you sleep indoors and buy refuge meals, you avoid a tent, sleeping bag and stove, which keeps the load light enough to enjoy the climb rather than fight it.
Is a sleeping bag needed at Refuge A?
A full sleeping bag is not required, as Refuge A provides blankets, but most hikers bring a lightweight sleeping bag liner for hygiene and a little extra warmth. The dormitory is unheated and sits at 2,100 m, so nights are cool even in summer.