Can you actually reach the summit of Mount Olympus?

No, and this is the thing nobody tells you before you go.

There is a military installation at the top of Mount Olympus. The true summit is inside a restricted area and you cannot legally walk to it. What you can reach is the point where the road and trails stop, just below the top.

This does not make the trip pointless. It does mean that if you're expecting a summit marker and a 360 degree view, you will not get one. Plan for it rather than discovering it at 1,900 metres like I did.

How to get to Mount Olympus from Limassol without a car

I couldn't find reliable information about this anywhere online, and I checked before I went. Here is what the internet currently tells you, all at the same time:

• Route 62 runs Limassol to Platres

• Route 64 runs Limassol to Troodos Square

• One source says the tourist bus leaves at 9:15

• A forum says buses run at 7:00 and 9:30

• Rome2Rio says there is no direct connection at all and recommends a taxi

None of them mention what happens in winter, which is the part that matters.

What I found by going to the bus station in person and asking: in winter there was one bus a day, at 7am, from Limassol to Pano Platres, with a return pickup at 3:30pm. That gives you roughly eight hours, which is not much once you factor in the walk from Pano Platres.

Go to the bus station and ask. Do not trust the timetables online, including this one. Schedules change seasonally and the mountain routes are the first thing affected. If you can, get the driver's name and number, because they know the road conditions better than any website.

The bus may not complete the route. Mine didn't. Too much snow past a certain point, so I was dropped short and had to make my own way from there.

What happens when it snows

The coast and the mountains in Cyprus are different worlds. When Limassol was mild, the Troodos was around minus two. That difference is roughly 15 to 20 degrees, and it catches people out constantly because they leave the coast dressed for the coast.

When there's snow on the road above Pano Platres:

• Buses stop running the full route

• Trails get closed for dangerous conditions, so the walking route you planned may not be available

• You need a 4x4 with chains to drive up, and ordinary hire cars will not manage it

• A 4x4 transfer from a local hotel can cost more than several days of accommodation, food and transport combined

Which leaves hitchhiking, which is common in Cyprus and, in my experience, entirely safe. Multiple people stopped, checked I had water and a phone, and warned me honestly when they were turning back. Two of them ended up feeding me lunch.

What to wear and take

Nothing technical. This is a road and trail walk, not a climb.

The one thing I got wrong: most of my kit was water resistant except my trousers, which is exactly the thing you want waterproof in wet snow. Sort that out before you go.

Take more food than you think you need. I had two sandwiches and deliberately only ate one at the top, because I had no idea how long getting down would take. It took longer than expected.

Is it worth it?

In winter, the snow is genuinely beautiful and almost nobody else is up there. The view from the top was completely erased by cloud, so if you're going for the view, go in summer and take a proper trail.

In summer it's a straightforward and much more pleasant walk, with actual visibility, and you can use the trail network rather than the road.

Either way, the summit itself stays closed.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest point in Cyprus?

Mount Olympus, also known as Chionistra, at 1,952 metres, in the Troodos Mountains.

Is Mount Olympus in Cyprus the same as Mount Olympus in Greece?

No. They share a name and nothing else. The Greek Mount Olympus is 2,917 m and is the highest mountain in Greece. The Cypriot one is 1,952 m and is the highest point in Cyprus.

Can you climb to the top of Mount Olympus in Cyprus?

Not all the way. There is a military installation on the summit and the true high point is inside a restricted area. You can reach the point just below it.

Do you need a guide or a permit?

No. It's open access up to the restricted area, free, with no permit required.

How hard is it?

In summer, easy. It's a walk on established trails, no scrambling, no technical skill needed. In winter with snow on the ground it becomes a much longer and more committing day, mainly because of transport rather than the walking itself.

Can you get to Mount Olympus by bus from Limassol?

There are buses towards Pano Platres and Troodos Square, but schedules vary by season and the mountain routes are cut short or cancelled in snow. Confirm at the bus station in person on the day before you travel.

Does it snow in Cyprus?

Yes. The Troodos Mountains hold snow in winter and there's a small ski area there. Temperatures in the mountains run roughly 15 to 20 degrees colder than the coast.

Is hitchhiking safe in Cyprus?

It's common and locals are generally willing to stop. I hitchhiked several separate rides up and down the mountain in a snowstorm and every driver was kind, checked I was equipped, and was honest about when they were turning around. Use your own judgement, as always.

Peak 2 of The Peak Project: climbing the highest point in every country in Europe.