Greece Hiking. Hikes in Northern Greece--the Pindos Mountains, Zagori, Meteora and Mount Olympus

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Hiking in the Pindos Mountains of northern Greece. From villages like Mikro Papigo, one of several in the picturesque Zagori region, hike into alpine landscapes in the Pindos Mountains.
5 The Pirgi Towers of Astraka, Pindos Mountains, from Mikro Papingo (Photo by J.Osaki).

June 1-10, 2009
Plan your arrival in Ioannina, Greece for May 31, 2009
Plan your departure from Thessaloniki, Greece for June 11, 2009

Join us on this journey to discover the mountains of northern Greece! In the "hidden" region of Zagori you'll discover a landscape filled with lovely mountain villages connected by a network of stone-tiled pathways and bridges. Here also you'll find high country meadows ablaze with crocus and ringed by towering limestone peaks along with one of the deepest gorges in the world. Thrill to the spectacle of the monasteries of Meteora perched precariously atop towering sandstone pinnacles. You'll also have an opportunity to climb to the summit of Mount Olympus, legendary home of the Greek gods and the highest point in Greece.

5 The tranquil waters of the Pamvotis Lake in Ioannina.

5 Lamb with honey, almonds & apricots.

5 Dodona (Photo by A. Marinov).

Day 1: Begin the day with a walk in Ioannina's old town before traveling to visit the sanctuary of Dodona, the oldest Hellenic oracle, devoted to the god Zeus. The impressive amphitheater known as the Theatre of Pyrrhus dominates the site. Following the visit, continue into the Zagori region where stone-tiled paths and humpbacked bridges link isolated mountain villages filled unexpectedly with archontikons ("mansions") built in the 19th century during the region's heyday. Zagori (whose name comes from the Slavic words meaning "behind the mountain") is one of the least densely populated regions of Greece and boasts a "showstopper" landscape whose centerpiece is the Vikos Gorge, the jewel of Greece's Vikos-Aoos National Park and one of the deepest gorges in the world! This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. You'll spend the next three nights in a lovely traditional inn in Kipi village, one of the prettiest in the Zagori region.

5 Kipi village.

5 Mountain ramparts surrounding Tsepelovo village.

5 Street in Tsepelovo village.

Day 2: A short transfer by vehicle will bring you to Tsepolovo village where today's hike begins. Descend the trail from Tsepolovo to the Paliogefira stone bridge. Cross the bridge and continue through pine and beech woodlands to return to Kipi where you'll enjoy lunch. After lunch there'll be time for a visit to the local historical and ethnographic museum. If you desire, an afternoon hiking option presents an opportunity to tackle the Koukouli Steps which will bring you to the peaceful village of the same name. Return to Kipi for the evening.

5 The Plakidhas triple arched bridge at Kipi.

5 Hikers approach the east rim of the Vikos Gorge near the Beloi viewpoint.

5 At the Beloi viewpoint.

Day 3: Return by vehicle this morning to Tsepelovo village from where a trail leads to the Beloi viewpoint which offers an outstanding view over the Vikos Gorge. Continue to the village of Vradheto, the highest village in the Zagori region (4,400 feet above sea level). In the afternoon, descend the 17th century Vradheto Steps to the village of Kapésovo. The hike along the Vradheto Steps is one of the highlights of a visit to the Zagori region! Upon reaching Kapésovo, you'll have an opportunity to sample some local foods before returning to Kipi village for the evening.

5 The Vradheto Steps.

5 The remarkable Vikos Gorge, a mightly gash through the Pindos Mountains!

5 Vikos Gorge (Photo by A. Marinov)

Day 4: Today you'll have the chance to hike the full length of the Vikos Gorge! In the morning, travel by vehicle from Kipi to the village of Monodendri. From Monodendri, a trail drops steeply into the spectacular Vikos Gorge descending all the way to the Voidhomatis River. A well-graded footpath then parallels the river through woodlands and leads to the Voidhomatis Spring, a great place for a picnic lunch! After lunch, ascend to the village of Vikos (Vitsiko) from where a vehicle transfer will bring you to a restored mansion in the village of Pápigo, your base for the next two nights.

5 Voidhomatis Spring, Vikos Gorge.

5 View from the Papigo village (Photo by Asen Marinov).

5 Limestone towers near Dhrakolimni.

Day 5: From the village of Mikro Pápigo, hike up to the Astráka Refuge in the Pindos Mountains at an elevation of 6,400 feet above sea level. The refuge is situated in a broad "col" between the peaks of Astraka, Lapatos and Gamila. Energetic hikers can continue higher into the mountains to reach high country pasturelands and the Dragon Lake (Dhrakolimni) nestled on the flanks of the Gamila massif. Retrace your steps to return to Pápigo for dinner and overnight.

5 The lake of Dhrakolimni is surrounded by lush alpine meadows high in the Pindos Mountains.

5 The Agia Triada Monastery.

Day 6: Depart Pápigo and the Zagori region bound for Meteora, well known for its monasteries built atop impressive sandstone rock pillars. (Meteora means "suspended in the air.") En route, pause at the village of Metsovo where you can visit the restored Tositsa Mansion, converted into a folk art museum featuring traditional paneled rooms, rugs, costumes and crafts. After lunch in Metsovo, continue to the town of Kastraki set at the foot of the rock towers of Meteora. A short stroll will introduce you to this spectacular World Heritage landscape!

5 The impressive sandstone monoliths at Meteora.

5 A Greek salad awaits in Kastraki town!

Day 7: Enjoy a full day at Meteora! From the nearby town of Kalambaka, trails lead to the monasteries of the Holy Trinity and Grand Meteora. Descend by trail to Kastraki for lunch. In the afternoon, you can set off on a photographic excursion through Kastraki (don't miss the sight of the ruined Saint George Monastery built in a cavern on the sheer rock face above Kastraki). Alternatively, you can explore additional monasteries at Meteora. We'll dine this evening in Kalambaka and overnight once again in Kastraki, away from the bustle of Kalambaka town.

5 Varlaam Monastery at Meteora seen from the Grand Meteora Monastery.

5 The Monastery of Saint Barbara Roussanou at Meteora (Photo by Asen Marinov).

Day 8: In the morning, travel by vehicle to Prionia (3,600 feet above sea level), site of a former 15th century monastery on the slopes of Mount Olympus. The climb of Mount Olympus begins from here. Ascend steadily through a forest of hardwoods that eventually gives way to Bosnian pine woodlands to reach the Spilio Agapitos Refuge at 7,200 feet. Enjoy a tasty meal—which may include fasolatha (bean soup), Greek salad, feta, olives—and settle in for a two-night stay.

5 The Spilios Agapitos Refuge surrounded by Bosnian pines on the slopes of Mount Olympus.

5 The Metamorfosi peak seen from the trail to Mount Olympus above the Spilios Agapitos Refuge.

5 Trail marker en route to Olympus.

Day 9: An early morning start will be required for those choosing to attempt the summit of Mount Olympus. The round trip hike to Mount Olympus's summit (known is Greek as Mitikas, or "the nose") is long and challenging, particularly at the upper end. However, the thrill of reaching the "home of the gods" at 9,570 feet above sea level—not to mention the wide-ranging views—is compensation enough for the effort! For a less rigorous option, you can ascend to the high ridge at Skala and attempt the summit of Skolio, the second highest summit in Greece. At the end of the day, return to spend a second evening at the Spilio Agapitos Refuge.

5 Hikers on the trail to Mount Olympus.

5 The abode of the gods--cloud-wreathed Mitikas Peak, seen from Skala.

5 The trail descends from Spilios Agapitos to Prionia.

Day 10: Hike from the Spilio Agapitos Refuge back down to Prionia. Travel by vehicle to a beachfront hotel outside the city of Thessaloniki. Enjoy this final evening on the shores of the Aegean Sea where you'll enjoy a farewell dinner and celebrate the conclusion of your Grecian adventure! Tomorrow, your breakfast and a morning transfer to Thessaloniki airport for your onward connections is provided and included in the trip price. Or, connect with our Mountains of Bulgaria trip and continue your adventures on the Balkan Peninsula!

5 Balkan wildflowers.

Other Details about this Trip
Dates: June 1-10, 2009
Price: $4,050 (2009 price TBA)
Single room for entire trip: $350 (2009 price TBA) Please note that single rooms are not available on the evenings of Days 8 and 9 at the Spilio Agapitos Refuge.
Lodging: 11 nights in hotels and inns. Note: Your hotel in Ioannina on the evening of May 31 is included. Accommodations on Days 8 and 9 at the Spilios Agapitos Refuge are in shared rooms with shared bathing facilities (WC).
Meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners included
Trip Begins at hotel in the northwestern Greek city of Ioannina on the morning of June 1. Convenient air connections are available to Ioannina from Athens.
Trip Ends at a hotel near Thessaloniki on June 10, but a transfer to the Thessaloniki airport on the morning of June 11 is included in the trip price. (If you connect with our Mountains of Bulgaria trip, you can travel by bus from Nea Kallikratia to Sofia, Bulgaria at no charge for the transport.)

5 Pattern from a textile in Metsovo.

Other Resources

Read Ron Hall's account of his journeys in Greece (including the Zagori region) in "Greek Secrets" in the March 2007 issue of Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

5 The Kokoros Stone Bridge near Kipi.

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