North-western Greece is a mountainous, relatively wet and thickly vegetated part of the country with its own strong culture. Our route crosses part of the region of Epirus, taking in the spectacular, rocky mountains of Gamila and Smolikas, arguably the most majestic in the whole of Greece.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Travel to Monodendri (or Ano Pedina) and short walk. Meet in our offices early in the morning and by private A/C bus drive to Ioannina. Transfer to Monodendri (1 hr) or nearby other Zagorian village, Ano Pedina. First visit the monastery of Agia Paraskevi, close to the edge of the gorge. Rest of the day free. O/N in a guesthouse.
(B) (L)
Day 2:
Monodendri to Vikos and O/N in Papingo.
Walk to Mikro Papingo through the Vikos Gorge with its turquoise river-pools (5 to 6 hours). A classic trek in one of Europe’s finest canyons. Spectacular cliff walls tower up on both sides as we follow the riverbed downstream, or a small path alongside (4 hrs). We end with a further 2 hours uphill beneath the towers of Papingo. We may cool off with a dip in the natural swimming pool of a nearby stream before settling into our rooms. O/N in pension.
(B) (L)
Day 3:
Papingo to Mt Gamila Refuge and Dragon Lake (6 hrs). Todays walk starts with 3 hours’ uphill from Mikro Papingo to the “Astrakas” refuge on Mt. Gamila, at 1950m or so. Here we picnic and leave our packs for the afternoon walk to the first of the Dragon Lakes, an hour away across grassy uplands studded with flowers and (until July) some small snow pack. We return to the guesthouse for the night.
(B) (L)
Day 4:
Loop walks on Gamila and Astraka’s summits (7 hrs round trip).Over the refuge, two summits which we can both ascend in a loop walk, if we are fit enough and in a good shape: Mount Gamila 2480m and Mount Astraka at 2436m. We may also choose one of the two summits and enjoy as well the panoramas over the plunging Aoos ravine below and across to Smolikas to the north. We return to the refuge for the night.
(B) (L)
Day 5:
Walk down to Klidonia (6 hrs).
We walk down to Papingo and then to Kato Klidonia Stone Bridge one of the most beautiful stone arched bridge of the Balkans via the deserted hamlet of Klidonia. Short transfer (1 hour) to Konitsa and O/N in guesthouse.
(B) (L)
Day 6:
6 Konitsa to Mt. Smolikas refuge, refuge to Agia Paraskevi (6-7 ˝ hrs).
A gentle day to recover and see some town life. In the morning we shop and visit the town, before catching taxis or a bus to the village of Palioselli (1 hour) for a light lunch. Then we climb through fir forest to the Naneh refuge at 1650m, and settle in - we may be the first visitors here for a while, as it is not often used.
Dragon Lake at 2200m, 3 hours up the mountain just above the treeline. The energetic can here make a side trip up to the visible 2637m peaks, with views encompassing Corfu and Mt. Olympus on a clear day (1˝ hours return). O/N in refuge.
(B) (L)
Day 7:
Travel to Ioannina and back to Athens.
We catch an early bus to Konitsa, and another on to Ioannina, to arrive around noon. Those who wish can visit the beautiful old town or the island in the lake where Ali Pasha lived. After a final tavern lunch the trip ends. Transfer back to Athens in the afternoon.
(B) (L)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
May 5-11
July 1-7
August 4-10
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Greece
USA
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
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