Alpine Hiking in Greece - Zagori

The journey starts in the village of Megalo Papingo, high up in the Vikos Gorge and on the border of the high alpine area. From Ioannina (flight or bus) you take a taxi up through serpentine curves with views towards the mountains. Here you stay in a traditional stone house in the middle of the village. For dinner we recommend the region's traditional pies, often with wild herbs and feta cheese.
Tip: add an extra night and do a hike via the viewpoint Kokkino Lithari, Mikro Papingo and the natural pools Kolymbithres.

You warm up on easy trails towards the village of Ano Klidonia and continue down towards a stone arch bridge at Kato Klidonia. Here you meet the emerald green Voidomatis river. The trail follows the river under the plane trees to the Aristi bridge. From there the host arranges a transfer back to Papingo (paid on site).

You deposit your luggage at the hotel and go with light packing for an overnight stay along a long but well-maintained trail via Mikro Papingo up to the Astraka mountain hut, 1000 meters above the village. After lunch you continue higher up in the alpine landscape to Dragon Lake (2050 m above sea level), with extensive views over the Aoos valley. The hut serves both simple lunch and dinner if you want. Night under the stars in the mountain hut.

You cross flowering alpine meadows between the Astraka and Gamila peaks. Here there are both livestock and chamois. The journey continues southward towards the Megas Lakos gorge, over 600 meters deep, before you reach the village of Tsepelovo. Here your luggage awaits and an evening on the lively village street.

A classic in Zagori! You follow an old stone-paved trail up to Beloi with unforgettable views over the Vikos Gorge. In the village of Vradeto you can rest in the square before continuing down the famous Vradeto steps – a winding stone staircase to Kapesovo. Through lush forest you finally reach Kipoi, surrounded by beautiful stone bridges.

After breakfast the program ends. You take a taxi to Ioannina for onward travel.
Tips: stay an extra night in Kipoi to explore the historic bridges, or combine with the trip Hiking in the Heart of Greece - Vikos Gorge for a total 12-day experience in Zagori.