Hiking in Zagori : Pindos Horseshoe Trail

Pindos Horseshoe Trail is a classic trekking tour in which you will discover the unique villages of Zagori, the Vikos gorge, alpine lakes, and mountains! There are places in the world, which are hidden from the first sight, they are not on headlines and you hardly can hear from your friends about them. But with Pindos Horseshoe Trail and after you visit Zagoria villages you will be one of those who can tell about the unspoiled beauty, the traditional villages and the stone trails and arched bridges of the area.

Highlights

• Hike in the beautiful Zagori area
• 6 trek days in the North Pindos National Park
• Traditional bridges & cobbled paths
• The spectacular Vikos Gorge
• Alpine lake Drakolimni
• The crossing of unique Mt. Timfi massive

Is this trip good for me?

• There will be luggage transfer every time we change hotel
• Overnight in simple family guesthouses (3 stars)
• 1 overnight in the alpine refuge (bunk beds, common washrooms)
• A 30lt backpack should be ok
• Max walking 8hours
• Average temp. in high summer 27 degrees
• Average walking hours per day 6
• Total 68km of hiking

Daily Itinerary (8 days)

• Day 1:

Meeting at Vitsa village. We rest in the traditional guesthouse and walk around the village.

• Day 2:

We hike from Vitsa to Koukouli, Kipi, where we tour around the old bridges that connected the villages, years ago. The walk starts from Vitsa, down hilling the Vitsa Steps, in the heart of Vikos Gorge. We cross one of the famous arched bridges and start-up hilling towards Koukouli. The village square calls for a refreshment!! The walk continues to Kipi, where we rest and see some more beautiful bridges, a real work of art! Through the dense forest, we hike to Dilofo, a village protected as a monument of local architecture. We rest at the square and walk back to Vitsa. Duration: 5-6 hours.

• Day 3:

We start to cross Vikos Gorge, a very impressive canyon and one of the deepest in the world! We will be transferred to Monodendri (2km), then we hike downhill, where we meet the small river that flows through the gorge. We continue next to the stream and walk right into the heart of the National Park. In the gorge still find refuge a lot of wild animals, such as pray birds, bears, and wild boars. Our walk will end at Vikos village after a small ascent, around 40 minutes. We make a rest at Vikos. Dinner / overnight. Duration: 6-7 hours.

• Day 4:

We drive back to Vikos Village. Our walk will take us towards Mikro Papigo. We start the tour walking down to Voidomatis springs. After a small rest, we start to climb the north-west face of Vikos Gorge direction Mikro Papigo. The views get more and more impressive as we hike up. The walk continues through the forest and under the impressive towers of Papingo, soon we will reach the village. A free evening can be enjoyed swimming by the natural pools near the village. Duration: 4 hours.

• Day 5:

We hike from Papigo towards the high plateaus of Mt. Timfi, reaching an alpine lake at 2050m. The walk begins from Mikro Papigo, one of the most beautiful villages of Zagori, and continues through beautiful and quiet scenery towards Astraka mountain refuge. On the way up we will meet a lot of water springs so there is no need to carry a lot of water. After a small stop at the refuge, we continue another 1.30 hour to the “Drakolimni”, an alpine lake at 2050m. The scenery is magnificent as we have great views over the Pindos mountain range. We hike back to the refuge where we stay for the night. Duration: 6 hours.

• Day 6:

A long day is ahead of us today as we have to cross the Timfi mountain range, a long but beautiful walk. We start down hilling from the refuge reaching the big plains of the mountain. Under the impressive cliffs of Astraka, we continue direction a small water reservoir Loutsa Robozi. A place for the Shepards to water the animals in summer. The walk brings us at the beginning of Megas Lakos an impressive canyon that ends at Vikos. As we cross a water spring we continue to the lands of Tsepelovo our final destination. Duration: 8 hours.

• Day 7:

Our last day will lead us through old roads (kalderimia) through the plains of Vradeto, the highest village of Zagori. After a visit to Beloi, a viewpoint into the gorge, we walk towards Vradeto. From thereafter a stop in the village, we hike down the impressive Vradeto steps, a path that takes us down to Kapesovo. We drive to Elati where we spend the night. Duration: 7 hours.

• Day 8:

Departure from Elati.

Pricing table

• 4 pax 995€/person
• 6 pax 860€/person
• 8 pax 790€/person