WALK ON YOUR OWN PACE TRAIL

  • Overview

  • Itinerary

  • Location

  • Gallery

Dates

May - October

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

7 Days

Group

1 - 8

About WALK ON YOUR OWN PACE TRAIL

A self-guided hike in the heart of the Greek mountains and the hidden gem of the Zagori villages. You will have the opportunity to explore the history, culture and nature of the region as you walk from village to village over stone bridges, forest footpaths, gorges and ridges. Throughout this journey, you are the guide!

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

6 nights accommodation (based on double occupancy)

All Transfers From Day1 to Day8

Luggage Transfer

GPS device with the route

Not Included

International airfares

Personal insurance

Next Dates

May 1, 2024

Itinerary

Day 1 - IOANNINA-TSEPELOVO

A private taxi will take you from the city of Ioannina to the village of Tsepelovo (1 hour). A room is reserved for you at the Gouris guesthouse. You can relax to the vibes of the village and enjoy a dinner in the central square.

Tsepelovo-Gouris Guesthouse

Day 2 - BELOI - VRADETO STEPS - KAPESOVO-TSEPELOVO

In the morning a car will transfer you at the village Vradeto, the highest in Zagori. From there you can take the path to the view point Beloi (30 min) which offers you an amazing view of the Vikos Gorge. Return to Vradeto and through the famous Vradeto steps you will descent into the Mezaria canyon and further to the picturesque village of Kapesovo (1 hour), where you can have lunch or coffee at the main square with its spectacular view. A trail will lead you to Tsepelovo (1,5 hour) and back to your guesthouse.

Tsepelovo-Gouris Guesthouse

Hike Distance

12 km

Duration

4h

Ascend

430m

Descend

685m

Day 3 - TSEPELOVO - KIPOI - VITSA

After breakfast you start walking from south from Tsepelovo. A dirt road takes you to the village of Kipoi, where you can have some rest, lunch or coffee. You continue walking in the trail that crosses the famous traditional stone bridges of Zagori through a forest of birch and beech trees. After crossing the Misios bridge you will start ascending to the village of Vitsa via the Vitsa Steps. There, a room at the unique Land Beyond Conference Center is booked for you.

Vitsa-Land Beyond

Hike Distance

18km

Duration

4-5h

Ascend

795m

Descend

830m

Day 4 - MONODENDRI AND AROUND

This is a relaxed day as no hiking is planned. After you enjoy a leisurely morning at Land Beyond you can visit the old monastery of Prophitis Elias (15 min), or/and walk to the village of Monodendri (15 min). There you can visit the textile museum of Rizario School or the monastery of Agia Paraskevi. You can also taste the delicious pies you can find at the central square of the village. Overnight in Vitsa.

Vitsa-Land Beyond

DAY 5 VITSA-VIKOS GORGE-PAPIGKO

After breakfast you will descend from Monodendri to the bed of the Vikos Gorge (1 hour), the steepest gorge in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. You walk for the next 4 hours through the gorge, where you can observe the different small ecosystems that can be found there. The footpath leads you to the village of Papigo (2 hours). Overnight at Saxonis guesthouse.

Papigko-Saxonis Guesthouse

Hike Distance

14,5km

Duration

6-7h

Ascend

1115m

Descend

1325m

DAY 6 PAPIGKO-DRAKOLIMNI-PAPIGKO

This is the most exciting day of the whole tour, as you will hike up to the Astraka plateau. You start walking early in the morning and continue uphill for the next 3 hours, up to the Astraka refuge. There you can rest and enjoy a coffee or lunch with a panoramic view of the mountains around you. Dragon Lake (Drakolimni), the highlight of the week is just about an hour away. After completing your visit to the lake, you will start the descent to the guesthouse in Papigo.

Papigko-Saxonis Guesthouse

Hike Distance

18,5km

Duration

8-9h

Ascend

1450m

Descend

1450m

DAY 7 PAPIGKO-IOANNINA

A taxi will take you to Ioannina. Extension of the tour is possible upon request.

Book Now

649€ / Person