Zagori on foot, gorge to village
A walking-led week through central and northern Zagori, crossing the gorge on foot and sleeping in the stone villages either side of it.
- Length
- 6 days · 5 nights
- Months
- May – June, September – October
- Stops
- 4
The route on a map
1 · 1 night
Ioannina
A lake town with an Ottoman citadel and a silversmithing tradition, used for arrival and departure.
2 · 1 night
Vitsa
A central Zagori village close to the Vitsa–Monodendri path.
3 · A day here
Monodendri
The starting point for the gorge walk, beside the abandoned monastery of Agia Paraskevi on the rim.
4 · 3 nights
Megalo Papingo
Under the Astraka towers at the north end of the gorge, the classic Zagori walking base.
Day by day
Day 1
Arrival at Ioannina
Sleep · Ioannina
Walk the Ottoman citadel and the lakeside promenade, and take the small boat to the island for dinner.
Day 2
Into Zagori
Sleep · Vitsa
Drive up to Vitsa, stopping at the stone bridge of Kokkorou, with an afternoon around Kipoi.
Day 3
The Vikos gorge floor
Sleep · Megalo Papingo
A full-day walk from Monodendri along the gorge floor, ending in Megalo Papingo six hours later.
Day 4
The Papingo villages and the Rovies pools
Sleep · Megalo Papingo
A shorter morning walk beneath the Astraka towers to the natural pools for a cold swim.
Day 5
Rafting the Voidomatis
Sleep · Megalo Papingo
A gentle descent of the river through the gorge, followed by a pie made by hand at a village kitchen.
Day 6
Return to Ioannina
Departure
A slow drive back via the Kalogeriko and Plakida bridges; a departure day, not a night slept.