Hiking in the heart of Greece: Vikos Gorge

After arrival in Ioannina (airport or bus station) you take a taxi up to Kipoi, one of Zagori's most picturesque villages. Here the beautiful stone bridges are the main attraction – built several hundred years ago to connect the villages when the rivers were impassable during winter. Each bridge bears the name of the benefactor or family who had it built.

Tip: Add an extra night in Kipoi and take an unforgettable trip from Vradeto (1450 m) to the viewpoint Beloi, where the entire Vikos Gorge opens up before you. From Vradeto you then descend the famous stone-paved Vradeto Steps, a winding zigzag path down to Kapesovo.

Today's hike begins by crossing the Voidomatis River via the old Mylos bridge. You follow the river for a while, pass the elegant Kokkorou bridge and get a first glimpse of the upper part of Vikos Gorge. Here awaits another stone bridge – Misiou bridge – before the path leads you up through beautiful nature to Vitsa, a village built on the edge of the gorge. From there you continue to Monodendri, a lively little village where you spend the night and tavernas await you.

Today you have several options for shorter hikes to different viewpoints. Don't miss the abandoned monastery Agia Paraskevi, dramatically placed on the cliff edge with incomparable views down into the gorge. Also go to Oxya, the most famous viewpoint, which you reach via a path that passes through Monendri's strange "Stone Forest" – eroded stone pillars that look almost surreal. If you want to find something more secluded, there's the chapel Agioi Apostoloi with its peaceful view.

The absolute highlight of the trip! You descend 400 meters from Monodendri to the bottom of the gorge and then follow the winding riverbed. The path follows the stream, sometimes high above, sometimes right beside it. Here there are plenty of places to dip your feet or take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water. At the sources of Voidomatis begins the ascent on a beautiful cobblestone path up towards the village of Vikos – a small mountain village with only a few dozen inhabitants, dramatically located above the gorge. Vikos Gorge is in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's deepest in relation to its width.

In the morning you can again enjoy the view over the gorge before hiking down towards the Voidomatis springs. Here there's an opportunity for a short detour to the church in the former monastery Panagia tou Vikou. When you reach the springs you cross the river – during early summer you may need to take off your boots and wade across. Then awaits a long but beautiful zigzag path up towards Megalo Papingo, one of Zagori's most famous villages located at the top of Vikos Gorge. Above rise Astraka's mighty limestone cliffs, known as the "Astraka towers". Here you stay in one of the village's traditional stone houses.

From Megalo Papingo you first head towards the twin village Mikro Papingo (guess which one is bigger than the other). Just before you reach the viewpoint Kokkino Lithari – "Red Rock" – with wonderful views over the villages and surrounding mountains. From here you continue down to the natural rock pools Kolymbithres, small basins carved out by the river. A perfect place for a dip and a relaxing afternoon, especially during summer. Then return to Megalo Papingo for the trip's last night.

After breakfast the trip ends. You take a taxi or pre-booked transfer to Ioannina for onward travel by bus or flight.

Tip: Feel free to extend with an extra night in Papingo and take a hike via Ano Klidonia in the Voidomatis Valley to Papingo bridge.

Or combine with our trip Alpine Hiking in Greece - Zagori, which takes you across the high-alpine Astraka plateau to Tsepelovo and back to Kipi – for a 12-day complete experience in Zagori.