THE ZAGORI CIRCUIT TRAIL

  • Overview

  • Itinerary

  • Location

  • Gallery

Dates

May - October

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

8 Days

Group

4 - 12

About THE ZAGORI CIRCUIT TRAIL

Picturesque villages and stone arch bridges, gorges, alpine lakes and meadows make up a hiker's paradise. Walk on the cobbled streets of the Unesco's Zagori villages, cross rivers with bridges from another era.

Through the Zagori Circuit Trail you have the opportunity to explore a hidden gem of nature and architecture and experience the local food and hospitality. This is the iconic mount Tymfi and the villages of Zagori.

Tour Highlights

The impressive Vikos Gorge

Dragon Lake – an alpine treasure

Famous stone arched bridges

Zagori – a traditional settlement, part of the Unesco Cultural Landscape

Orthodox churches and monasteries

Herb pies and tsipouro!

Included

7 nights accommodation (double occupancy)

All Transfers From Day1 to Day8

Luggage Transfer

1 hiking guide (english speaking)

Meals as per the Itinerary

Not Included

International airfares

Drinks and beverages

Meals not stated in the itinerary

Personal insurance

Entrance fees

Next Dates

August 31, 2024

September 21, 2024

October 5, 2024

Itinerary

Day 1 - ARRIVAL AT THESSALONIKI

Upon arrival at Thessaloniki SKG International Airport, a private bus will transfer you to your hotel, where you can take a short break from the journey or leave your luggage and start exploring the city. In the early afternoon a licensed guide will accompany you on a short city tour (3 hours). You will walk through the historic part of the city and enjoy the unique combination of periods, from ancient Greek to Roman and Ottoman, and have the opportunity to explore the flavors of the city at the Kapani food market. After the walking tour, your tasting journey will resume with a welcome meze dinner at a local tavern.

Thessaloniki

D

Day 2 - THESSALONIKI-VRADETO-TSEPELOVO

After breakfast we will travel to the heart of Mount Tymphi, to the village of Vradeto. Spyros and Violeta, owners of the local guesthouse, will be waiting for us with a traditional meal . After lunch we start our hike on the Pindos mountain with an easy and short route. We start walking to the observation point of Belos, which offers a stunning panoramic view of the Vikos gorge. We return to Vradeto and head towards the picturesque village of Kapesovo (1 hour) via the famous steps of Vradeto (Skala Vradeto). In Kapesovo we can take some time to explore the village or just relax in the central square with its spectacular views. From Kapesovo we have a 1,5 hour walk to Tsepelovo, where we spend the night.

Tsepelovo-Gouris Guesthouse

B, L, D

Hike Distance

12.5 km

Duration

4h

Ascend

430m

Descend

685m

Day 3 - TSEPELOVO - BRIDGES TRAIL - VITSA

An easy and educational hike today. The day's route crosses rivers and streams, villages and forests. We start our hike from Tsepelovo and through a dirt road we reach the village of Kipoi. There, at the old mill next to Milos Bridge, we will enjoy a picnic with home-made treats. After lunch we will continue our hike through a birch forest to the famous bridges of Zagori. At the end of the trail, the Vitsa Steps will lead us to the village of Vitsa and the unique Land Beyond Conference Center that will host us for the night.

Vitsa-Land Beyond

B, L, D

Hike Distance

18km

Duration

5-6h

Ascend

795m

Descend

830m

Day 4 - VITSA-VIKOS GORGE-PAPIGKO

Today we hike into the famous Vikos Gorge, the steepest gorge in the world according to Guinness Book. After 1 hour descent to the bottom of the canyon through the Monodendri Steps, we will walk approximately for 4 hours along the riverbed. The last part of the day’s hike is the demanding one, as for 2 hours we will walk uphill and under the famous Papigko Towers, to the village of Papigko where we will spent the night.

Papigko - Saxonis Guesthouse

B, L, D

Hike Distance

14,5km

Duration

6-7h

Ascend

1100m

Descend

1325m

Day 5 - PAPIGKO-DRAKOLIMNI-REFUGE

This is the most exciting day of the week as we will visit the magnificent Dragonlake (Drakolimni), an alpine lake at an altitude of 2.050m. We walk towards the village of Mikro Papigko (30 min) and then we ascend for the next 3 hours to Astraka refuge. There, we will have plenty of time to rest and have lunch. After lunch we continue our hike to the Drakolimni (about an hour). We return to the refuge where we will spend the night.

Refuge Astraka (dorm)

B, L,

Hike Distance

13,5km

Duration

6h

Ascend

1550m

Descend

580m

Day 6 - REFUGE-VRADETO

This is the last day of hike. We depart early in the morning and through the plateau of Astraka located between the two highest peaks of Tymfi, Astraka and Gamila, we enter the impressive gorge of Megas Lakos. After about 4 hours of hiking we will exit the gorge and find ourselves strolling through the pastures of Vradeto. At Vradeto, we share a bottle of tsipouro as a small reward for completing the challenging Tymfi Loop Trail. Dinner, drinks and ...party time!

Vradeto-Balkoni Zagoriou

D

Hike Distance

13,5km

Duration

5-6h

Ascend

565m

Descend

1130m

Day 7 - VRADETO-THESSALONIKI

This morning there is no rush, so you can sleep a little longer .Late in the morning we leave for Thessaloniki. Early in the afternoon we will return to Thessaloniki and you are free to spend the rest of the day as you wish.

Thessaloniki

B,

Day 8 - THESSALONIKI - SKG

Approximately 3 hours before your flight, a private transfer is arranged for you.

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1199€ / Person