Hiking in Zagori : The Pindos Horseshoe Trail (Self-guided)

Daily Itinerary (8 days)

• 1
  

  Day 1:

  Meeting at Vitsa village. We rest in the traditional guesthouse and walk around the village.

• 2
  

  Day 2:

  We hike from Vitsa to Koukouli, Kipi, where we tour around the old bridges that connected the villages, years ago. The walk starts from Vitsa, down hilling the Vitsa Steps, in the heart of Vikos Gorge. We cross one of the famous arched bridges and start up hilling towards Koukouli. The village square calls for a refreshment!! The walk continues to Kipi, where we rest and see some more beautiful bridges, a real work of art! Through densed forest we hike to Dilofo, a village protected as a monument of local architecture. After a short stop, we finish the walk in Vitsa.Duration 6-7 hours

• 3
  

  Day 3:

  We start to cross Vikos Gorge, a very impressive canyon and one of the deepest in the world! We will be transferred to Monodendri (2km), then we hike downhill, where we meet the small river that flows through the gorge. We continue next to the stream, and walk right into the heart of the National Park. In the gorge still find refuge a lot of wild animals, such as pray birds, bears and wild boars. Our walk will end at Vikos village after a small ascent, around 40 minutes. We make a rest at Vikos. Dinner / overnight. Duration: 6-7 hours

• 4
  

  Day 4:

  We drive back to Vikos Village. Our walk will take us towards MikroPapingo. We start the tour walking down to Voidomatis springs. After a small rest we start to climb the north-west face of Vikos Gorge direction MikroPapingo. The views get more and more impressive as we hike up. The walk continues through forest and under the impressive towers of Papingo, soon we will reach the village. A free evening can be enjoyed swimming by the natural pools near the village. Duration: 4 hours.

• 5
  

  Day 5:

  We will hike from Papingo towards the high plateaus of Mt. Timfi, reaching an alpine lake at 2050m. The walk begins from MikroPapingo, one of the most beautiful villages of Zagori, and continues through beautiful and quiet scenery towards Astraka mountain refuge. On the way up we will meet a lot of water springs so there is no need to carry a lot of water. After a small stop at the refuge, we continue another 1.30 hour to the “Drakolimni”, an alpine lake at 2050m. The scenery is magnificent as we have great views over Pindos mountain range. We hike back to the refuge where we stay for the night. Duration: 6 hours.

• 6
  

  Day 6:

  A long day is ahead of us today as we have to cross Timfi mountain range, a long but beautiful walk. We start down hilling from the refuge reaching the big plains of the mountain. Under the impressive cliffs of Astraka we continue direction a small water reservoir Loutsa Robozi. A place for the shepards to water the animals in summer. The walk brings us at the beginning of Megas Lakos an impressive canyon which ends at Vikos. As we cross a water spring we continue to the lands of Tsepelovo our final destination. Duration: 8 hours.

• 7
  

  Day 7:

  Our last day will lead us through old roads (kalderimia) through the plains of Vradeto, the highest village of Zagori. After a visit to Beloi, a view point into the gorge, we walk towards Vradeto. From there after a stop in the village we hike down the impressive Vradeto steps, a path wich takes us down to Kapesovo. We drive to Elati where we spend the night. Duration: 7 hours.

• 8
  

  Day 8:

  Departure from Elati.