Zagori Greece: A guide To The Vikos Gorge as well as Pindos national Park

The Vikos Gorge is one of the most spectacular sights on earth. It’s nature showing off in all its grandeur as well as the very best part about it — there are barely any type of tourists!

With everybody heading to the islands to laze on beaches, this untouched piece of paradise in the Zagori region of northern Greece feels about as off the beaten path as you can get (making it one of the top locations to go to in Greece).

I checked out the Pindos national Park in September 2018 during our 6-month campervan trip with Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, as well as Italy. We were originally only planning on costs someday in the park, however totally fell in like with the quaint villages as well as the breathtaking scenery, so ended up costs 5 full days there.

We checked out all the villages in Zagori, ate tasty standard food while chatting to the locals, drove a few of the crazy hairpin bend roads in the campervan as well as stopped anywhere for incredible views of the gorge.

Read on to discover about the extraordinary Vikos Gorge in Pindos national Park, including practicalities of the hiking trip. Plus, if you’re not a hiker, there are still many other things to perform in the park! If you’re planning a trip to Greece soon, don’t miss Our utmost Greece travel Guide 

Table of Contents
The Vikos Gorge
The Zagori Region
How To get To The Vikos Gorge
Vikos Gorge Trailheads
Practicalities For Hiking The Vikos Gorge
Things To perform in The Pindos national Park
Ready For Vikos Gorge as well as Pindos national Park?

The Vikos Gorge

The Vikos Gorge is found in the northern Pindos Park, in the historic area of Epirus, just 30km from Ioannina as well as close to the Albanian border. Click right here to discover the Vikos Gorge on the map.

You can hike the entire length of the gorge without seeing one more person. For nature lovers, hikers as well as any individual who appreciates the outdoors, you’ll never want to leave.

There are 46 villages (collectively named the Zagorohoria), that comprise the area of Zagori in which the Vikos Gorge lies. Running with the centre of Zagori is the spectacular Vikos Gorge. Recorded in the Guinness book of records for being the world’s deepest canyon in proportion to its width.

The Vikos Gorge uses a few of the very best hiking in Greece. There are hikes for all levels of fitness, from energetic 5-hour hikes to 1-hour meanders. For non-hikers, there are a number of viewpoints, all quickly reached by foot as well as using the most spectacular views of one of mom Nature’s biggest creations.

The Zagori Region

Nestled in the Pindos mountain variety lies the wonderful Zagori region, one of the most gorgeous as well as untouched locations left on earth. The deep gorge as well as mountainous landscape made accessibility nearly impossible, so for numerous years, the villages in this area existed with barely any type of influence from the outside world.

Now the roads are paved as well as accessibility is easy, yet the area still stays mainly untouched by tourism.

This seclusion enabled the preservation of tradition, as well as the rich culture can still be seen today in the private character as well as unique design of each of the 46 villages.

The villages can be discovered perched high on top of mountains, hanging over the sides of the gorge or deep in the bottom of the valley. roam the cobbled alleyways, take pleasure in the peace as well as tranquility as well as discover yourself transported back in time.

The villages are all linked by a network of stone footpaths, some leading over spectacular arched bridges, some complying with along winding rivers, while others zigzag at an impossible angle up the steepest of slopes. These ancient pathways now supply exceptional routes for hikers, mountain cyclists as well as nature enthusiasts alike.

How To get To The Vikos Gorge

The northern Pindos national park is found about 30 kilometers from Ioannina, the funding city of Epirus province. the very best entrance to go to the Vikos Gorge is 27km North of Ioannina, just after the town of Karies. This will take you to the Aspragelli info Centre, where they will supply you with maps as well as a huge amount of info on the park.

For some fantastic info as well as maps, click here. 

Vikos Gorge by Car

The suggested method to go to is by car. vehicle rental is offered in Ioannina, Thessaloniki, as well as Athens, however the very best value as well as availability will be discovered in Athens. a lot of of the gain access to roads can be discovered on the Western border of the park, between Ioannina as well as Konitsa.

The roads in the Zagori region are all new, indicating fantastic high quality as well as simple to drive, no matter what type of automobile you have. Be conscious that there are many hairpin bends.

By Bus

Buses run from Ioannina to nearly all the villages of Zagoria, including the prominent villages of Papigo, Monodendri, as well as Konitsa. depending upon where the villages are located, the duration of the trip will vary from 40 min to 1 hour. The bus to Monodendri runs on Monday, Wednesday, as well as Friday at 11:15am.

If you are flying into Athens or Thessaloniki, buses are offered to Ioannina. The buses from Athens as well as Thessaloniki to Ioannina run daily. From Athens, the buses leave from Kifissos Bus station with the trip taking about 7 hours. From Thessaloniki, the bus leaves from KTEL station as well as is about 3 hours.

The bus connection between the villages is poor, so be prepared to hike or hitchhike.

On a Tour

The other choice would be to go to the Zagori region on a tour. These day trips can be joined from Ioannina.

Vikos Gorge Trailheads

There are a number of hikes offered in the gorge. These variety in length as well as difficulty. the most prominent hike is the Mondrendi to Vikos Hike. For those wanting to go the additional distance, the Vikos to Papigano is a fantastic add on. For those trying to find a a lot more leisurely hike, then the Mondrendi to Kipi is a fantastic option.

Mondrendi to Vikos Hike

Most prominent hike in the Vikos Gorge

Length: 12.5 kilometers

Duration: 6 – 8 hours

The village of Monodentri is the most prominent starting point for checking out the Vikos Gorge. From right here you can hike north to Vikos as well as the two Papingo villages or south to Kipi.

The primary hike takes you 12.5km along the bottom of the Vikos gorge from the village of Monodentri to Vikos. It is a fairly simple hike, although you must be gotten ready for some boulder hopping.

Metal or wooden ladders have been strategically put to help you over difficult bits. The final ascent is likewise extremely steep. The hike can take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours depending upon your level of fitness.

From Monodentri there is a steep 300m descent down a cobbled pathway to the bottom of the gorge. From there, the path descends along a slowly graded footpath, with captivating woods, all the method to Vikos.

Around the 2 hour mark, you will reach the intersection with the Megas Lakkos ravine. A pipped spring marks the halfway area as well as supplies an chance to fill up your water bottles.

Around the 3 hour mark, the steep walls begin receding as well as the gorge opens out. right here you have two choices: Either you can continue directly along the well-worn path up until you reach the paved kaldermi, leading as much as Vikos. The ascent is steep as well as will take about 1.5hrs. Or, the alternate is to comply with the marked 03 path to Mikro Papingo or Megalo Papingo, which will add on an extra 2 hours.

Papingo Village

The hike is well marked all the method to Vikos with red dots or white-on-red diamonds (03 route). Where markers have been lost, the locals have connected plastic bags to trees to guide you in the ideal direction.

Vikos to Papigano Hike

Instead of ending at Vikos, you can select to continue to the two Papigano villages. This path will take you across the gorge bed at the Voidhomatis springs. enable an extra 2 hours to reach Mikro Papingo as well as somewhat less to reach Megalo Papingo.

Be conscious though, the exit right here is steep as well as can be hard going in the sun. the very best choice would be to stop for lunch in Vikos to ensure that your ascent to Papigano is performed in the late afternoon, so you can make utilize of the shadows of the setting sun.

For those hikers wanting to head east into the Gamilla range, the villages of Mikro Papingo as well as Megalo Papingo would be much better suited. The Vikos gorge can be hiked in either direction so you might likewise stay right here as well as hike to Monodendri.

Monodendri / Vitsa to Kipi Hike

As an alternate starting point, the village of Vitsa is likewise a great option for hiking the gorge, although it is somewhat additionally away from the entrance to the gorge. This path complies with the dry riverbed south towards Kipi as well as is an simple hike.

Make sure to take along a map to ensure that you can area the ancient arched stone bridges as well as the stepped kaldermi paths that link the villages.

Practicalities For Hiking The VikosGorge

Make sure to gather maps as well as guides at the vacationer info office. These will be important in finding sights along the way. A fantastic example is the eighteenth-century Kimisis Theotokou chapel, found at the begin of the ascent to Vikos. It will need a 15 minute round trip detour, however the extraordinary frescos will be well worth it.

During the hikes, you will notice an abundance of flora as well as fauna in the Pindos Park with a lot more than 1800 understood types of flora as well as a myriad of animals to try as well as spot. The region is likewise understood as Bear Park because of its population of Eurasian brown Bears, however you’ll be exceptionally lucky to see one of these.

As you technique the Papingo villages, look out for Astraka, the third greatest height of install Tymfi. A series of big vertical rocks called the Towers of Astraka that type a spectacular backdrop to the village of Mikro Papingo.

Despite the gorge’s popularity with hikers, there are sections of the hike that are not easy. Make sure to have strong hiking boots, preferably the over-the-ankle boots. walking poles as well as sticks would be extremely helpful as well as a water bottle is an absolute essential. You will pass the Voidomatis river, however the water is not always drinkable, so make sure to take sufficient water with you.

In summertime months, it is finest to begin the hike as early as possible to prevent the midday heat, while in wintertime months, you may have some snow at Monodentri.

There are fantastic restaurants in all the villages, all serving tasty hearty standard dishes, however you will requirement to pack lunch for en-route.

It is finest to pre-organise a pickup from your final destination, as there are no buses. Ask at your location of lodging for transportation options. Taxis can be set up however they are not inexpensive as well as you’ll be checking out about 35 Euros for the trip. If you haven’t pre-organised your transport, then ask at the regional tavern as well as they must be able to assist.

Things To perform in The Pindos national Park

The mountains, lakes, as well as rivers offer the best atmosphere for ecotourism activities. Hiking, trekking, climbing, mountain biking, as well as rafting are prominent activities that can be took pleasure in surrounded by this a lot of sensational scenery. For the not so active, the natural appeal as well as the quaint villages make the park well worth a visit.

Monastery of Aghia Paraskevi

The breathtaking Aghaia Paraskevi monastery perches on the vertical cliffs of the gorge as well as uses a panoramic perspective of the gorge. From Monodendri’s primary square, comply with the stone pathway for about 1km to the edge of the Vikos Gorge.

Beloi Viewpoint

One of the very best views of the gorge can be seen from the Beloi perspective near the town of Vradheto. This is the most southern point of the Vikos Gorge as well as from right here you will see the vertical cliffs stretching far into the distance.

The walk from Vradheto to Beloi is simple enough, however even much better is to climb the Vradheto steps (Skala Vradheto) as it winds up the cliff deal with to the village of Vradheto as well as then continue on to Beloi.

The steps run 3.5km from Tsepelovo to Vradheto as well as up until the 1970s this was the only gain access to to Vradheto. This 17th Century ancient stone stairway looks much harder than it is, as the zigzags are not as steep as they look.

The path starts just north-east of the village of Kepesovo. Park at the junction where the road forks delegated Vradheto. comply with the track into the valley, across an old stone bridge as well as from there you will begin the ascent up the Skala.

When you reach the top, keep left near the church up until you reach the road. The road winds with the village as well as then turns into a dirt track. There are signposts to Beloi as well as the path is extremely well trodden so simple sufficient to follow. After a somewhat rocky section, you will emerge at the Beloi perspective with its jaw-dropping vista of the gorge.

The walk from Vradheto to Beloi must take about 45 minutes with the ascent up the Vradheto Skala taking an extra 2 hours.

The view at Beloi is genuinely spectacular so make sure to leave sufficient time to kick back as well as soak everything in. much better yet, take a picnic as well as spend an hour or two!

For the less energetic, you can drive up the some