Discover the spectacular Vikos Gorge in the Pindus Mountains
Spend 7 days exploring the Zagori region in northwest Greece on this self-guided walking holiday. This tour features hikes between the mountain villages of the impressive Vikos Gorge, one of the most impressive spots to explore by foot in all of Greece.
Spend your days hiking through dramatic cliffs and beside scenic rivers, and then enjoy the local Greek hospitality at the end of the day. During your walks, you’ll explore the enchanting stone bridges in Kipi, the Stone Forest of Mondendri, natural springs and pools, and of course, the incredible canyon itself. For a walking holiday in an awe-inspiring place, the Vikos Gorge Hiking Tour should be at the top of your list!
Highlights of the Vikos Gorge Hiking Tour
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Vikos Gorge Hiking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Discover the Stone Bridges of Kipi
When you arrive in Ioannina, you can take a taxi to Kipi or pre-book a transfer so that a driver will be waiting for you.
Tonight, you’ll stay in the village of Kipi, which is known for its remarkable stone bridges that arch over the rivers.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kipi
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Follow the Voidomatis River
Your walk today will be along the lush pathways that follow the Voidomatis River. You’ll go from bank to bank a few times over ancient stone bridges.
After crossing the Misiou Bridge, you’ll walk through the village of Vitsa, which sits precariously at the edge of the gorge. Your walk will end in Monodendri, where you’ll be staying the next two nights.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Monodendri
Distance: 3 hours, 9km, 450m of ascent, 150m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Short Walks from Monodendri
Today, you can choose to take one or all three short walks to some of the nearby stunning viewpoints.
The first walk leads to the ruins of the Agia Paraskevi monastery, which looks out over the Vikos Canyon. Then, you can take the famous walk through the strange forest of natural stone pillars to the Oxya viewpoint. Finish your day with the walk to the chapel of Agioi Apostoloi.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Monodendri
Distance: 4 hours, 11km, 430m of ascent, 430m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Descend into Vikos Gorge
Your trail today brings you down 400 metres to the bottom of the Vikos Gorge. You’ll spend the afternoon following the riverbed through the canyon—feel free to dip your feet or have a swim!
You’ll then ascend a cobbled path from Voidomatis springs to the village of Vikos. Spend the night in this authentic village that overlooks the gorge.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Vikos
Distance: 4.5 hours, 12.5km, 475m of ascent, 760m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Walk to Megalo Papingo
Once again, you’ll descend into the gorge and walk to the Voidomatis springs. You can choose to take a short detour to visit the monastery of Panagia tou Vikou.
Then, you’ll continue by the river until your path starts to zig-zag up the hill to Megalo Papingo. This village sits under the imposing limestone peaks of the Towers of Astraka.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Megalo Papingo
Distance: 2 hours, 5.3km, 450m of ascent, 530m of descent
OR 2.5 hours, 6.3km, 475m of ascent, 760m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Explore Villages and Rock Pools
Your walk begins through the villages of Mikro and Megalo Papingo. You’ll have the option to take a short loop to the “Kokkino Lithari,” or Red Rock, before hiking to the Rock Pools. These natural formations are the ideal spot to rest and enjoy a swim before returning to your hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Megalo Papingo
Distance: 3 hours, 8.6km, 600m of ascent, 600m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Return to Ioannina
After you’ve enjoyed your breakfast and checked out of the hotel, you can take a taxi or pre-arranged transfer back to Ioannina.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
The departure is available on any day of the week. Prices below are per person:
Departure on March 11th – July 9th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,025 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $875 USD
- Double/twin room: $525 USD
- Triple room: $425 USD
Departure on July 15th – August 27th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,075 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $925 USD
- Double/twin room: $575 USD
- Triple room: $425 USD
Departure on August 28th – November 15th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,025 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $875 USD
- Double/twin room: $525 USD
- Triple room: $425 USD
Accommodation on the Vikos Gorge Hiking Tour
This tour is based in 3-star guesthouses and B&Bs. All the accommodations offer comfortable rooms with traditional hospitality.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. If you are a solo traveller or you prefer a single room, the required supplements are included in the listed prices.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Melinas Boutique Hotel in Kipi ★★★
This beautiful little guesthouse will welcome you with warm traditional decor and even warmer service from the family that runs it.
Zarkadas Archontiko in Monodendri ★★★
The rooms are simple but clean and comfortable at this charming family-run hotel. It also has a little pool and a quiet terrace for you to enjoy.
Foris House in Vikos ★★★
This cozy B&B offers a comfortable room in tiny Vikos. Be sure to visit the restaurant a short walk away, which is run by the same family as the hotel!
Saxonis Houses in Megalo Papingo ★★★
This traditional hotel is adorned in the typical Zagorian style and is the perfect place to unwind after a day of adventures in Papingo.
What’s Included in the Vikos Gorge Hiking Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts are included in this tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Kipi and after the tour in Papingo are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Luggage transfer is included in your package and is normally done via the hoteliers. For the hike to the Astrakas Hut you need to take limited luggage with you, including a sleeping bag liner and pillowcase and small hiking towel. When you travel on public transport you always take your luggage with you.
Also Included
- 24-hour emergency telephone assistance
- Digital route notes and maps
- GPS App
Not included
- Tourism tax to be paid locally at each hotel (amounts range from 0.50 to 3 EUR per room per night)
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Visas if required
- Personal equipment
- Fees not mentioned as included
- Guide services
Optional Extras
- Additional night in Kipi
- Transfers or bus tickets:
-
- Transfer from Athens Airport to Athens bus station, and KTEL bus ticket to Ioannina
- KTEL bus ticket between Ioannina and Athens
- Transfer from Athens bus station to Athens Airport
- Bus ticket Ioannina to Thessaloniki
- Transfer Thessaloniki bus station to Thessaloniki Airport
- Transfer Ioannina Airport or bus station to hotel in Kipi
- Transfer from hotel in M. Papingo to Ioannina Airport or bus station
- Additional nights at any of the accommodations along the way
- Printed tour materials (in addition to digital)
Frequently Asked Questions about Vikos Gorge Hiking Tour
S-Cape Travel Greece is a Greek outdoor company, established in 1994 and member of the S-Cape Group of companies since 2010.
At S-Cape Greece you find a varied portfolio of active and adventure trips that offer you a hands-on experience of Greece, having time to slowing down and appreciate the details: view the sites and landscapes, savor the specialties, meet and mingle with the locals and learn about the culture.
All our trips and itineraries are developed by our team of professional walkers and cyclists who have a keen eye for great trails, exciting itineraries, breath-taking scenery and good quality accommodation that share our vision on sustainable travel.
If you travel on one of our self-guided trips, you receive a Destination Manual with information on the country and a state-of-the-art Road Book with detailed route description, turn by turn diagrams of each crossing and explanatory text. On top, you can navigate the route in your own smartphone via our excellent S-Cape Travel App.
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Maria has worked in the Athens office of S-Cape for nearly 4 years. She’s discovered an even deeper love for her country through the process of helping others explore it.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to lead and why?
- A: My favourite trip is Crete “Coast to Coast” because you discover unspoiled Crete while following walking paths through wildflowers, lush valleys, and gorgeous gorges. You get to know the locals, drink wine with them, and taste the famous Cretan food in local taverns. You meet the locals of this village in the “kafeneion” and drink a “Raki” with them. You get to stay in a beautiful old restored house and enjoy views of the White Mountains whilst having breakfast. Explore the White Mountains and walk at an altitude of 1,300m gazing at the white peaks surrounding you. On the south coast, you walk through beautiful gorges. It’s just wonderful!
- Q: What are guests most surprised about in visiting your country?
- A: You hear how good the food, the sun, and the people are. It’s even better in real life!
- Q: What is one local dish anyone visiting should try?
- A: Greek salad, tzatziki, stuffed tomatoes, fried zucchini, and traditional souvlaki, of course!