Hiking Adventure in Zagori, Ioannina, Greece

Zagori area is the perfect hiking destination for those who love both nature and picturesque traditional villages.

Due to its geographical remoteness, it has a unique nature, architecture and traditions. We will hike / trek through dense forests with rich flora and fauna, emblematic stone villages - in total 46 villages known as Zagori villages (or Zagorochoria or Zagorohoria), alongside beautiful rivers with natural pools and will discover marsterful traditional bridges made entirely with stones, monasteries carved into the mountains and magnificent views to the surrounding area.

Zagori is part of the Vickos - Aoos National Park which belongs in the Natura 2000 ecological network and is also a UNESCO Geopark. We will hike inside the amazing Vickos gorge, into some of the most magnificent old trails of the area, up to the mountains and through the traditional villages. An ultimate hiking experience in Greece.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Monodendri Main Square, Monodendri 440 07, Greece

Hiking route from Kipi village to Monodendri.

Our day starts from the main square of Kipi village where our guide will first brief you and soon we will start our tour by hiking parallelly to the main road until we reach the famous old stone bridge of Plakida.

From there we will follow a beautiful path inside a forest of beech and oak trees. We will walk down into the Vikos gorge and after crossing the Misiou old stone bridge, we will continue onto the old steps of Vitsa to reach this traditional village which is built just at the edge of the gorge. Very soon after that, we will reach the village of Monodendri. We can optionally visit the main square of the village and taste local pies together with homemade wine.

Distance: 9.3 km

Estimate Time: 5 h

Elevation: Gain 353 m., Loss 654 m.

Overnight at Monodendri

Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Vikos Gorge, Monodendri 440 07, Greece

Hiking tour from Monodendri to Vikos gorge.

We will start our day from Monodendri and after we pass through the village we will find the entrance of the path (Monodendri steps) that will take us to the core of the gorge (1.5 km downhill - elevation difference of 375 m).

For the next 9 km. we will hike to different elevation rates in a wonderful scenery with big laminated stones. We will always have Vikos river at our right hand side. Upon request, we can visit the springs of Voidomatis River that flow underground. Afterwards we will continue in the same path that will lead us to the village of Vikos. We will conclude our route to Megalo Papingo village and rest for the night in a guest room or hotel. In the afternoon, you can walk through the narrow streets of the village and enjoy its traditional architecture.

Distance: 12 km.

Estimate Time: 6-7 h

Elevation: Gain 699 m., Loss 1011 m.

Overnight Megalo Papingo

Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Papingo Rock Pools, Papigko 44004 Greece

Papigo - Natural Pools

Our 3rd day starts by hiking the scenic route to Mikro Papingo, a village very popular for its caves which were inhabited since the Neolithic time.

We will continue our route uphill until we reach the red Lithari which is between the towers of Astraka and the Gorge of Vikos with stunning views of the Albanian mountains. We will use the same path to return but this time we will go through the gorgeous little village of Mikro Papigo, which was built in the 14th century. We will rest and enjoy our lunch there. After exploring the village, we will continue towards the gorge Rogovou with its unique natural pools with cold running water - a great place for a relaxing bath.

At the end of our tour, we will return to the tour's starting point at Kipoi village.

Distance: 8 km.

Estimate Time: 4-5 h.

Elevation: Gain 677 m.,Loss 660 m.

Duration: 1 day