Mountain Bike the Pindos Trail

Pindos Mountain Bike Trail

Grade 3

Duration: 8 days

Total distance: 170km

Route on map

Mountainbike Pindos Trail. A real mountain paradise with rivers, waterfalls, trails, and forests! We bike through Zagori, arched bridges, and visit the Vikos gorge!

Once you enter this mountainous landscape you will think that you are in another country!! This is the most isolated part of Greece, a large part of which still remains undiscovered. A real mountain paradise with rivers, waterfalls, trails, and forests, and the people are so friendly! Perfect scenery for a multi-day mountain bike tour!

watch a video here!

Pricing table

4-5 pax

972€/person

5-6 pax

736€/person

7-8 pax

675€/person

Price includes

✔ Transfers from Ioannina airport

✔ All accommodation in guesthouses

✔ All meals according to itinerary

✔ Local qualified guide

✔ Luggage transfers

Highlights

✔ Ride in dirt roads in the heart of Pindos mountains!

✔ 6 days in the North Pindos National Park

✔ Tradditional bridges

✔ The Valia Calda protected area

✔ Meet the Vlach mountain people

Period of operation

April to October

Is this trip good for me?

☑ There will be luggage transfer every time we change hotel

☑ A 20lt backpack should be ok

☑ Max biking distance 38km

☑ Average temp. in high summer 25degrees

☑ Average km per day 25-30km

☑ Total 170km of riding

☑ Riding on forest roads, no single tracks

Photos

Daily Itinerary (8 days)

Day 1: Arrival - Samarina village

It is located on the eastern spur of Mount Smolikas, the highest of the Pindos mountain range and the second-highest mountain in all of Greece. At an altitude of 1.380–1.515 meters, it is considered one of the highest villages in Greece and also one of the highest in the Balkan area. It attracts many tourists due to its scenic location and beautiful pine and beech forests. After settling in the guesthouse, the guide will inform you about the program of the following days. Dinner and overnight stay in Samarina.

Day 2: Samarina – Distrato

First day of our tour starts from the main square of the popular village of Samarina. At the beginning, once we cross the water wood saw, the road will take us to the old Monastery of Agia Paraskevi, protector of the blind. After the monastery we enter the forest road toward Valia Kirna, which is the Vlach name for devil’s valley. After a scenic road of about 10km under the peaks of Smolikas, 2nd highest peak of Greece, we reach the stream of the valley. A bike-ride of about 3km to the beautiful waterfalls is worth it! We bike back to the main road and continue towards Distrato. The road is very pleasant and beautiful as we bike up high through meadows, enjoying great views! Soon after, we go downhill to the asphalt road and we can see Distrato village in front of us! Before entering the village, there is an optional stop for the brave to swim in the cold crystal clear river waters. After 1km we arrive at the guesthouse where we stay overnight. Length of route 27km, Alt. 1440m – 948m.

Day 3: Distrato – Vovousa

On this day we are officially riding at the foot of Mt. Vasilitsa! It is an amazing ride, mostly through forest. These areas have a lot of stories to tell, especially of events that occurred during the 2nd world war! Stories of Fallen airplanes, of alpine brigades, and of partisans who fought on these mountains! We start going uphill and after after a few kilometers the ride becomes easy and joyful, as we go downhill on a very well paved forest road, where we have the chance to enjoy the unspoiled nature and mountains of Aoos Valley! Through thick forest we reach the banks of Aoos river and the village of Vovousa. We have now entered the most remote village in the area of Zagori, and the entrance to the National part of Valia Calda. We stay overnight at Valia calda refuge, on the outskirts of Vovousa. Length 41km Alt. 948m –1466m –985m.

Day 4: Crossing Valia Calda Protected Area

We start our day by car! A small transfer to the starting point and off we go to bike in one of the most amazing forests in Greece! In Vlach, Valia Calda means warm valley! We start going down hill in a well maintained forest road, crossing a spring and the houses of the forest service! After we enter the ‘core’ of the protected forest, at the valley we can see the southeast point where the European spruce grows (piceaabies). The road crosses the whole valley under the peaks of Mt. Flegga (2077m), and takes as to the Miliacole. From there we drive the tarmac road towards the lake of the Aoos springs. We end the tour at the dam. From there we are again transferred back to Vovousa for the night. Length 54km 35forest road 19 tarmac Alt. 1600m –1296m –1420m- 1340m.

Day 5: Entering Zagori area

Today we start our route directly from the refuge and we cross through Morfa pass, one of the most impressive and challenging routes of the area. We climb almost 600m and reach the pass. The route rewards us with beautiful views of all the surrounding mountains, the impressive Timfi, and Smolikas, as well as the rest of the Zagori area. The fun starts as we begin going down hill via the forest road towards Laista, one of the most beautiful Zagori villages. We stay overnight at a guesthouse directly in the village square. Length 27km Alt 985m –1534m –950m.

Day 6: Laista to Negades village

After a nice breakfast we start the tour in the most beautiful mountain landscapes of Greece, on the tarmac until Giftokampos area, where we visit the representation of the houses of the nomadic folk “Sarakatsani”. Then we enter a beautiful forest road and drive to another plateau called “Templitses”, an area where a lot of shepherds bring their flocks for the summer season. An easy and scenic road takes us through the occasional thick forest to the beautiful village of Negades, where we stay overnight. Length 48,2km Tarmac 19,9km forest road 28,3km Alt. 950m –1075m –1285m –1000m.

Day 7: Central Zagori

Today we mostly do a “sightseeing” tour. We are at central Zagori, where we have a lot of interesting things to see. Old arched bridges, monuments, monasteries and lots of nature!

Day 8: Final day

Transfer to the airport – end of tour.

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