Zagoria Villages
The Pindos Mountains
This area of Greece offers an off the beaten track walking trip to the unique stone built villages of Zagoria.
The Greeks have more reason than most to be proud of their architectural heritage. However, far less well known than the great works of the classical age are the stone-built villages of Zagoria, an unspoilt region of the Pindos mountains. A challenging wilderness of dramatic 2600m/8000ft peaks, deep chasms, and extensive natural forests, the Pindos is still home to wolf, lynx, bear and wild boar.
The prospect of a self-guided walking tour in Greece, where both the signposts and the maps are in an alien script may appear daunting, but it is not so. Our local representative, Konstantinos, is an experienced mountaineer, well qualified to prepare our easy-to-follow self-guided walk. From the stone roofed villages of Vitsa and Monodendri, we walk through the splendid Vikos Gorge with its 1200m high walls. A quick dip in the crystal clear Voidomatis pool will refresh you for the steep ascent to the delightful villages of Papingo, huddled at the foot of the aptly named "Towers of Papingo". We climb above the tree line for one night at a refuge of the Hellenic Alpine Club, perched on a col overlooked by the dramatic Astraka peak and visit the beautiful Dragon Lake on the edge of the great limestone cliff which borders the Aoos valley. In the spring mountain meadows are a mass of colour with crocus, orchids, and gentians. We visit Tsepelevo, where our English speaking host, Alexis, has been welcoming our walkers to his flower-bedecked villa for many years. At the end of the tour we make a brief visit to Ioannina, on the shores of Lake Pamvotis.
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS: Village pensions 6 nights, mountain huts 1 night. Full board throughout except lunch on days 1 and 8 and dinner on day 7.
Self Guided Inn to Inn 7 days
CODE: SZV
GRADE:
P I P E S T O N E...T R A V E L
1-800-766-4318
®Copyright Pipestone Travel (912267 Alberta Ltd.)¨ Copyright Sherpa Expeditions London.