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 

Inhoudsopgave
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.

Met de 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.

Op een rondreis

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 VikosSchuine

Zorg ervoor dat je kaarten en gidsen verzamelt op het vakantieganger -info -kantoor. Deze zullen belangrijk zijn bij het vinden van bezienswaardigheden onderweg. Een fantastisch voorbeeld is de achttiende-eeuwse Kimisis Theotokou-kapel, gevonden aan het begin van de beklimming naar Vikos. Het heeft een omweg van 15 minuten nodig, maar de buitengewone Frescos zijn het zeker waard.

Tijdens de wandelingen zul je een overvloed aan flora en fauna in het Pindos Park opmerken met veel meer dan 1800 begrepen soorten flora en een groot aantal dieren om te proberen, evenals spot. De regio wordt ook begrepen als Bear Park vanwege de bevolking van Euraziatische bruine beren, maar je zult uitzonderlijk geluk hebben om een ​​van deze te zien.

Terwijl je de Papingo -dorpen techniek techniek, kijk uit naar Astraka, de op twee na grootste hoogte van installatie tymfi. Een reeks grote verticale rotsen genaamd de torens van Astraka die een spectaculaire achtergrond van het dorp Mikro Papingo typen.

Ondanks de populariteit van de kloof bij wandelaars, zijn er delen van de wandeling die niet gemakkelijk zijn. Zorg ervoor dat je sterke wandelschoenen heeft, bij voorkeur de over-de-rand laarzen. Wandelstokken en stokken zouden uiterst nuttig zijn, evenals een waterfles is een absoluut essentieel. U passeert de rivier de Voidomatis, maar het water is niet altijd drinkbaar, dus zorg ervoor dat u voldoende water meeneemt.

In de zomerse maanden is het het beste om de wandeling zo vroeg mogelijk te beginnen om de middagwarmte te voorkomen, terwijl je in de wintermaanden misschien wat sneeuw hebt bij Monodentri.

Er zijn fantastische restaurants in alle dorpen, die allemaal smakelijke stevige standaardgerechten serveren, maar u zult de lunch moeten inpakken voor eng.

Het is het beste om een ​​pick-up van uw eindbestemming vooraf te organiseren, omdat er geen bussen zijn. Vraag op uw locatie van onderdak voor transportopties. Taxi’s kunnen worden opgezet, maar ze zijn niet goedkoop en je zult ongeveer 35 euro uitchecken voor de reis. Als u uw transport niet vooraf hebt georganiseerd, vraag dan bij de regionale taverne en ze moeten kunnen helpen.

Dingen om op te treden in het Pindos National Park

De bergen, meren en rivieren bieden de beste sfeer voor ecotoerisme -activiteiten. Wandelen, wandelen, klimmen, mountainbiken en raften zijn prominente activiteiten die plezier kunnen hebben in omringd door dit veel sensationele landschap. Voor de niet zo actieve, de natuurlijke aantrekkingskracht en de schilderachtige dorpen maken het park de moeite van een bezoek waard.

Klooster van Aghia Paraskevi

Het adembenemende Aghaia Paraskevi -klooster zit op de verticale kliffen van de kloof en gebruikt een panoramisch perspectief van de kloof. Volg het primaire plein van Monodendri ongeveer 1 km naar de rand van de Vikos -kloof van Monodendri.

Beloi gezichtspunt

Een van de allerbeste uitzichten van de kloof is te zien vanuit het Beloi -perspectief in de buurt van de stad Vradheto. Dit is het meest zuidelijke punt van de Vikos -kloof en vanaf hier zie je de verticale kliffen die zich ver in de verte uitstrekken.

De wandeling van Vradheto naar Beloi is eenvoudig genoeg, maar zelfs veel beter is om de Vradheto -stappen (Skala Vradheto) te beklimmen, terwijl het de Cliff -deal met het dorp Vradheto belemmert en vervolgens door te gaan met Beloi.

De stappen lopen 3,5 km van TsEepelovo naar Vradheto en tot de jaren 1970 was dit de enige toegang tot Vradheto. Deze 17e -eeuwse oude stenen trap ziet er veel moeilijker uit dan het is, omdat de zigzags niet zo steil zijn als ze eruit zien.

Het pad begint net ten noordoosten van het dorp Kepesovo. Parkeer op de kruising waar de wegvork vradheto heeft gedelegeerd. Volg het spoor in de vallei, over een oude stenen brug, evenals vanaf daar, begin je met de klim de Skala op.

Wanneer je de top bereikt, blijf je in de buurt van de kerk totdat je de weg bereikt. De weg slingert bij het dorp en verandert dan in een vuilspoor. Er zijn wegwijzers voor Beloi en het pad is extreem goed getrodden zo eenvoudig om te volgen. Na een ietwat rotsachtig gedeelte, zul je op het Beloi-perspectief tevoorschijn komen met zijn adembenemende uitzicht op de kloof.

De wandeling van Vradheto naar Beloi moet ongeveer 45 minuten duren met de beklimming de Vradheto Skala die 2 uur extra duurt.

Het uitzicht op Beloi is echt spectaculair, dus zorg ervoor dat je voldoende tijd achterlaat om achterover te leunen en alles te laten doordringen. Veel beter nog, neem een ​​picknick en breng een uur of twee door!

Voor de minder energieke, je kunt de sommigen omhoog rijden