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North Pindos trekking medium-level 2024 - RENEWED PROGRAM
Travel code: PZWT214I
Tour type: Hiking-medium
Travel type: Self-guided trekking
Area: North Pindos (Zagoria)
Number of days: 8 (extendable)
Day 1

To Mikro Papingo

You travel to Ioannina where you’re met and taken to the accommodation in Mikro (‘Small’) Papingo. It’s a charming village, quietly situated where the asphalt road ends. From the lovely courtyard you may enjoy the views over the ‘Papingo Towers’, the mountain range opposite the village. The Tsoumani brothers are wonderfool cooks.
Should you have the time you may walk in 15 minutes to the ‘Kolimvithria’ or ‘Ovires’, natural pools which in summer are transferred into a real swimming pool by means of a small door. You make go for a swim and follow the brook a bit upstream: a green paradise!

Day 2

Via the ‘Ovires’ pools to Kato Klidonia (PZ08051x)

From Mikro Papingo you’ll descend by the quiet asphalt road to the ‘Kolimvithria’ or ‘Ovires’, the natural pools between both Papingo villages. Had you visited those the day before, you may also take a path along a small arched bridge.
Past the neighbouring village Megalo (‘Big’) Papingo you’ll follow a path along the slope with views on Vikos village and gorge towards Ano Klidonia. Then you descend from Ano (‘Upper’) Klidonia to the village Kato (‘Lower’) Klidonia with the historical arched bridge.

walking time/distance: 4h25’ / 12,7km
ascent/descent: 250m / 815m
start/finish: Mikro Papingo / Kato Klidonia

Day 3

Through the Voidomatis plane valley to Vikos (PZ05041x)

From the Klidonia arched bridge you’ll follow the plane valley along the Voidomatis river. On your way you may spot trout swimming in the clearest water of Greece and admire the swoop of dippers, kingfishers and wagtails.
Out of the valley you descend to the Aristi bridge, also a lovely spot to dip into the river. By a path you ascend to Vikos village, where you may make a small circular walk to a viewpoint into the Vikos gorge.

walking time/distance: 3h15’ / 9,5km
ascent/descent: 450m / 75m
start/finish: Ano Klidonia / Vikos

Day 4

From Vikos through the Vikos gorge to Monodendri (PZ04011x)

Hike through the Vikos gorge. The descent until river level is easy. Having arrived on the bottom you  may make a 5 minute detour to the Voidomatis springs: most of the year you’ll be surprised by their force.
Then you ascend gradually by a mostly easy path until the Klima spring (not always water!). After the spring you’ll encounter some steep climbs and a bit of clambering along the riverbed rocks.
The last 350m ascent by the ‘Monodendri steps’ are hefty and bring you into the village. The square with its wide plane tree and the cafees beckons you to stop for a drink, and then it’s only 10 minutes to the accommodation.

walking time/distance: 4h45’ / 13.0km
ascent/descent: 655m / 355m
start/finish: Vikos / Monodendri

Day 5

From Monodendri over the Zagoria arched bridges to Kipi (PZ01131x)

A quiet walk along some of the famous stone arched bridges of the Zagoria.
By a forest path you ascend to the lovely village Vitsa. From there you continue to Dilofo, a traditional and sleepy village. Descending again you reach the small Arkouda bridge. Upwards and downwards again you reach the famous three-arched bridge Plakida or Kaloyero. Past a stretch of forest next to the stream you reach Kipi.
The taverna opposite of the hotel had the same owner and offers lovely meals.

walking time/distance: 4h15’ / 11,4km
ascent/descent: 370m / 685m

start/finish: Monodendri / Kipi

Day 6

By the Vradeto steps to Vradeto village (PZ13161x)

You start ascending towards Kapesovo and veer to the famous ‘Vradeto Steps’, a paved path winding along the mountain slope. In spring you’ll find lots of flowers and you may even see bear tracks. The path ends in Vradeto village.

walking time/distance: 3h10’ / 7,1km
ascent/descent: 715m / 130m

start/finish: Kipi / Vradeto

Day 7

Along the viewpoint Beloï to Tsepelovo (PZ16101x)

A country road and then a well-restaured kalderimi take you to Beloi. The view from the Beloï balcony into the Vikos gorge is stunning!
You walk back a bit along the same kalderimi and the veer to the left. From there it’s upwards again untill you reach a barren rocky plateau. After the plateau you descend by a lovely path with view on Tsepelovo, where the walk ends on the lively square with its big plane trees.

walking time/distance: 3h30’ / 9,6km
ascent/descent: 295m / 560m

start/finish: Vradeto / Tsepelovo

Day 8

Departure from the Zagoria

After breakfast your arrangement comes to an end. You’re taken back to Ioannina.