You’d think we would have a simple answer for a mountain as famous as the home of Zeus. But honestly, if you ask five different hikers how high Mount Olympus is, you’re probably going to get five different numbers. Most people just default to a rounded 2,917 meters and call it a day.
That's not quite right.
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In the world of high-altitude surveying, every centimeter matters. We’re talking about a limestone giant that basically shoots straight out of the Aegean Sea. It isn't just one peak; it's a massive, jagged complex with 52 different summits.
The Real Number: Mytikas Peak
If you want the "official" answer for 2026, the highest point is the Mytikas peak. According to the most recent high-precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) measurements, Mount Olympus stands at exactly 2,917.727 meters high. If you prefer feet, that's roughly 9,573 feet.
Why the decimals? Because for over a century, we relied on the 1921 measurements taken by Swiss surveyor Marcel Kurz. He was a legend, but he was working with 1920s tech. Remarkably, he was only off by about 13 centimeters.
A team of researchers recently revisited the summit with drones, high-altitude rovers, and GPS equipment to settle the score once and for all. They found that while the mountain hasn't physically "shrunk," our ability to measure the curvature of the Earth and the mean sea level has just gotten way better.
How High Is Mount Olympus Compared to Other Peaks?
It’s easy to look at that 2,917-meter figure and think, "Oh, that’s not even close to Everest." And you'd be right. Everest is nearly three times taller. But height isn't just about the number above sea level. It’s about prominence.
Olympus is what geologists call an "Ultra."
To qualify as an Ultra-prominent peak, a mountain needs a topographic prominence of at least 1,500 meters. Olympus has a prominence of 2,353 meters. That means it doesn't just sit on a high plateau like some peaks in the Rockies or the Andes; it towers over everything around it.
You can literally stand on the beach in Litochoro, look up, and see the summit.
The Confusion with Olympus Mons
People mix this up all the time. If you see a TikTok or a "fun fact" post claiming Mount Olympus is 21 kilometers high, they are talking about Mars.
Olympus Mons on the Red Planet is a shield volcano that would basically cover the entire country of Greece. It’s the tallest mountain in the solar system. Our Earth-based Mount Olympus is a tiny pebble by comparison.
But unless you have a SpaceX ticket, the Greek version is much easier to visit.
Climbing to the Throne of Zeus
Just because it’s not 8,000 meters doesn't mean it's a walk in the park. The height of Mount Olympus creates its own microclimate. You could start your hike in 30°C heat at the base and be shivering in a hailstorm by the time you reach the Muses’ Plateau.
The trek usually breaks down like this:
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- Litochoro to Prionia: Most people drive this part, but the hike through the Enipeas Gorge is stunning. You’re at about 1,100 meters here.
- Refuge A (Spilios Agapitos): This is the halfway point for most, sitting at 2,100 meters. It’s a solid place to grab a bowl of bean soup and rest your legs.
- The Summit Push: This is where the 2,917-meter reality sets in. To get to Mytikas, you have to scramble up "Yiasos" or "Louki."
It’s steep. Kinda terrifying if you hate heights. You’re essentially using your hands and feet to climb a Class 3 rock chimney. One slip and you’re looking at a very long drop.
If Mytikas feels too risky, many hikers head to Skolio instead. It’s the second-highest peak at 2,911 meters. You lose six meters of bragging rights, but the path is a much safer "walk-up" rather than a vertical scramble.
Why the Height Changes (Sorta)
Geology is weird. Mount Olympus is primarily made of limestone that formed at the bottom of the sea millions of years ago. Because of tectonic activity, it’s actually still rising, albeit at a rate that you’d never notice in a human lifetime.
However, erosion works against it. The "Megala Kazania" (Big Cauldrons) are massive glacial cirques where the mountain is essentially hollowing itself out.
The snow also plays a role. From December to May, the peaks are buried. If you stood on the summit in February, you’d technically be a few meters higher than the official 2,917.727 mark just because of the snowpack.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re actually planning to see how high Mount Olympus is for yourself, don't just wing it.
- Check the 2026 Refuge bookings early. They fill up months in advance, especially for July and August.
- Bring a windbreaker. Even in mid-summer, the wind at nearly 3,000 meters can drop the "feels like" temperature to near freezing.
- Respect the gods. Or at least respect the rock. Wear proper boots with good grip; the limestone on the final scramble is polished smooth by thousands of feet and gets incredibly slippery when damp.
The most accurate way to experience the height isn't reading a number on a screen. It's standing at the Mytikas summit marker, looking out over the Aegean, and realizing that the ancient Greeks weren't crazy for thinking gods lived up there. It feels like the top of the world.
To get started, look into the E4 European Long Distance Path, which cuts right through the heart of the Olympus range and offers the most scenic route to the high peaks.