Things to do in

Vikos–Aoös National Park

Drive to Trekking Hellas rafting base in Klidonia, on the main road from Aristi village to Papingo village. There, the rafting team will welcome at 10:00am and provide you with the necessary safety equipment. When ready, a minibus will transfer you to the starting location, the bridge of Aristi-Papigo. During the transfer you will have impressive views of Mt. Tymphi, Astraka towers and Papigo villages. A safety briefing will follow, some river practice and off you go! During the descent, you will stop for optional refreshing dives in Voidomatis' crystal clear waters and visit the deserted 16th-century Agioi Anargyroi monastery. On the final part of the experience, you will paddle under Klidonia stone bridge's artificial waterfalls. The descent finishes shortly after Klidonia’s bridge just below Trekking Hellas rafting base. One thing is certain; by the time you reach the end, at approximately 13:00pm, you’ll wish you could start all over again!

We start our 2-hour descent at the Aristi Bridge after we get ourselves fully equipped with specialized rafting equipment. No previous rafting experience needed, the river being Class II. We slide and wade through some of the clearest (and coldest) waters in Europe, through pristine nature shone by Oriental plane trees in a place seeped in history. It was the place of a late Ice Age (actually 17.500-9.500 years ago) where hunters’ settlement that dominated the area, the seat of various monasteries and the site of a murder that plunged the area in a deadly blood feud that lasted for years and destroyed a prosperous village in the process. At the end of the ride we pass below the stone Klidonia bridge (last rebuilt in 1853) and then hop over an artificial dam that creates an exciting rapid. Alpine Zone staff will be waiting for you at the Alpine Zone base, offering traditional syrup sweets, water and washing room/changing room facilities.

Vikos gorge is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Greece. The gorge consists of limestone and dolomite formations dating back to 150 million years ago and vertical walls extending up to a height of 1700 m. The hike starts from Monodendri village with a 45-minute descent towards the river bed. The trail is ascending and descending surrounded by steep mountain tops and dense forests of deciduous trees and 1800 plant species. Before ascending to Vikos village, visit the Voidomati Springs, Greece's cleanest and coldest river, with an average all year temperature of 8.5°C. If you are brave you might want to try the experience of a very refreshing dive in the crystal clear waters during summer months. The hike finishes at Vikos village, after a 1-hour ascent from the Voidomatis springs.

Enjoy a light 3-hour hike with a trek leader from the Chapel of Profitis Ilias to the Beloi viewpoint in the Pindus Mountains, offering breathtaking panoramas of the limestone and dolomite rocks and virgin vegetation. Visitors to the Zagori area will often hear about Vradeto, the highest village in the region. But there is more to see than a mountain village. A stunning ride through varied landscapes leads to this small, picturesque place, from where you’ll start your hike of about 3.6 miles (6 kilometers). Suitable for the entire family, this is one of the easiest hiking routes in the Pindus Mountains, home to the world’s deepest gorge. After you’ve taken in views of the entire length of the Vikos Gorge, return to Vradeto for a short coffee break at the traditional kafenion (café), where you can see a photo exhibition. Next, you will walk the famous Vradeto rocksteps, a traditional stone-made path that used to connect Vradeto with the rest of the region’s settlements. End your tour close to the village of Kapesovo, where a transfer will be waiting to take you back to the meeting point.

Experience the varied terrain and vistas of the Vikos Gorge in the Pindus Mountains and see untouched and untamed nature. Vikos Gorge is listed as the deepest gorge in the world by the Guinness Book of Records, and is famous for its unique natural beauty and crystal-clear waters. The full-day hike starts from the village of Monodendri on the southern rim of the gorge. It's a restored stone village of walled courtyards with fortress-like gates. Follow a signposted path near the open-air theater at the top of the trail, from where the path drops steeply to the Voidomatis River. Walk the course of the river through the shade, with sparkling water as your companion. After about 4 hours, you will reach the Voidomatis River springs. Continue through the woods for a while, hiking uphill to exit at Vikos village. The tour covers a distance of about 7.5 miles (12.6 kilometers), passing towering rocks and virgin vegetation. Upon arrival at Vikos, a transfer will be waiting to take you back to Monodendri.

Meet in the center of Kipoi village and set off on the hiking trail with your guide. Discover a vast network of ancient footpaths of the Zagori region, which were built to connect its 46 villages in previous centuries. Cross several impressive stone bridges of the area, built in the 17th-18th century and which are usually known by the name of the benefactor who paid for their construction. Arrive at the picturesque village of Koukouli. Visit a small museum with a selection of specimens of rare flora from the Vikos gorge. Discover rare plant collections that grow on the canyon’s rocks and learn about the ‘Doctors of Vikos’. Next, walk back towards the village of Kipoi, following the very old stone path of Koukouli, also known as the ‘Koukouli Steps’. Finish the hike back in the center of the village.

Paratriking is an activity aimed at all ages, all people, even people with mobility difficulties, since it is completely safe and no experience is required from them . The equipment needed by each passenger is given by the pilot/instructor. The activity is called paratriking as it involves a three-wheeled vehicle with two comfortable seats for both the passenger and the pilot to have an enjoyable flight. Both wear helmets with intercoms to talk during. With the trike's powerful engine and the right parachute, it only takes a minute to get up in the air and admire the view of the snow-capped mountains while feeling the sun and clouds on your skin. It is definitely a liberating experience that everyone deserves to experience!!

Day 1: Ioannina – Kipi Village Depart from Ioannina and head to Kipi Village. At Kipi Village, you’ll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay. Day 2: Vradeto – Beloi – Vradeto Rocksteps – Koukouli – Kipi Depart for Vradeto Village in the morning. Hike from Vradeto village to the Beloi viewing point. Take in the views of Vikos Gorge before heading to the famous rock steps of Vradeto. Cross the Kontodimou Bridge and return to Kipi Village for dinner and an overnight stay. Day 3: Kipi – Monodendri Begin the day on the same trail as yesterday. Follow the path from Koukouli Village and head uphill to Vitsa. Enjoy some free time to relax and explore the village. Next, head to Monodendri, where you’ll spend the night. Day 4: Monodendri – Vikos Gorge – Vikos – Aristi Start your day with an early morning descent into Vikos Gorge. Follow the river for approximately 4-hours to Voidomatis River Springs. Continue uphill to Vikos Village, where you’ll be picked up and transferred to Aristi Village. Spend the night at Aristi Village. Day 5: Aristi – Mikro Papigo Be transferred back to Vikos Village in the morning. Begin your hike at the gorge and head uphill to Papingo. Admire the views of the surrounding Papigo Towers. After approximately 2-hours, you’ll arrive at Mikro Papigo, where you’ll spend the night. In the afternoon, you have the opportunity to walk to the natural swimming pools between Mikro and Megalo Papigo. Day 6: Mikro Papigo – Dragon Lake – Astraka refuge From Mikro, follow a trail towards Astraka mountain hut. Enjoy a short break for lunch before heading to Dragon Lake. Visit Dragon Lake, located in the Timfi range, it stands at an altitude of 2050 meters. Hike to Astraka refuge, where you’ll spend the night. Day 7: Mikro Papingo – Ioannina Return to Mikro Papigo, where you’ll be transferred back to the city of Ioannina.

Vikos Gorge has been designated as a world geopark by UNESCO. We start from Aristi or Papigko Bridge in northwestern Zagori where we will enjoy an easy route for all in the third part of the Vikos gorge which is a part of Vikos – Aoos National Park since 1973 The route is accessible all year, and from May up to September is the best season to swim in the crystal waters The name of the river Voidomatis comes from Slavic language (Bode–Mat which translates "good water") During the trail we observe the unique monastery of Spiliotissa, built on a rock and we visit the old church of Agioi Anargyroi which was built in 1658 The route ends to Kleidonia single arched stone bridge, which was built in 1853 in order to connect the locals from the villages Agios Minas and Aristi towards to Konitsa plain, and also people from Konitsa town towards Ioannina city. At the end of the activity visitors can enjoy a meal with traditional recipes of the area beside the river