Overview
An eight day, self-guided walking holiday in Vikos-Aoös National Park, in the Zagori region of north-west Greece, in the northern part of the Pindus Mountains. Walk through Vikos Gorge, which gives its name to the national park, as well as to the UNESCO mountain top monasteries of Meteora in the Thessaly region, where you have a guided walk. With two very contrasting and both colossal aspects to this walking holiday, staying in small, locally-owned hotels and traditional stone mansions, this is an epic and exquisite journey into northern Greece.
- Meteora Monasteries and rock formations
- Ioannina
- Vikos Gorge
- Kastraki
- Monodendr
- Vikos–Aoös National Park
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kastraki
Arrive in Kastraki, a stone-built village located at the foot of the Meteora rock formations. Check in at the hotel and, if time allows, explore the narrow streets and alleyways lined with stone-built houses at the foot of the Meteora rocks before settling in to your hotel for the night.
- Accommodation: Doupiani House or similar in Kastraki
Day 2: Meteora loop walk | 9km
Start today’s walk at Doupiani rock’s foothills, beneath the ruins of Pantokrator Monastery. The trail takes you through the rock formations towards the northern side of Meteora. We recommend visiting Ypapanti Monastery (open Monday to Friday) before continuing on to Great Meteoron or Varlaam, and then descending the old footpath once used by monks back to your hotel.
- Accommodation: Doupiani House or similar in Kastraki
- Walking for the day: 9km, 4h, ↑400m ↓400m
Day 3: Meteora Caves and Agio Pnevma rock
Today’s trip includes a guided hike through the Meteora Caves and also to Agio Pnevma rock. Start from Kastraki and follow the trail 250m uphill to the monks’ prison cave on the northern side of Agio Pnevma. Take time to explore Agios Georgios Cave before finishing at Kastraki’s central square. A sunset guided tour by minivan with short walks to key viewpoints can be booked upon request (not included), with great photography opportunities to catch the Meteora rocks and cliffs, as well as the mountainous background at sunset.
- Accommodation: Doupiani House or similar in Kastraki
Day 4: Kastraki – Ioannina
Book a private transfer or travel by public bus to Ioannina (payable locally) . You have plenty of time today to check in to your next hotel and then visit this city, located at the foothills of the Pindos Mountains on the western shore of Lake Pamvotis. Known for its rich Ottoman history, the well-preserved Old Town is home to Itch-Kale fortress, the Byzantine Museum, and Fetiche Mosque. We recommend you to take a water taxi to the small island in the lake, where there are some beautiful waterfront tavernas for dinner.
- Accommodation: Its Kale Boutique Hotel or similar in Ioannina
Day 5: Monodendri walks
You are transferred to Monodendri (40-50mins), a traditional stone-built village located on the rim of Vikos Gorge. During the journey, you have a chance to stop at Kipi to take in the classic stone bridges of Kokkorou and Plakidas. After checking in at the hotel, choose between three walks where you can get viewpoints over the gorge. This is one of the world’s most magnificent gorges, stretching for 32km long gorge, 12km of which is in Vikos–Aoös National Park.
Option 1 – Agia Paraskevi Monastery (7.7km): follow the cobbled path to the abandoned monastery of Agia Paraskevi, built on the edge of the cliffs, with great views over Vikos Gorge.
Option 2 – Oxya Viewpoint via Stone Forest (1.6km) : follow the path through the Stone Forest, a natural formation of layered limestone rock pillars. Continue to the Oxya Viewpoint for panoramic views over the deepest part of the gorge.
Option 3 – Chapel of Agioi Apostoloi (2.1km): take a trail leading to the small chapel of Agioi Apostoloi, located on a quiet ridge overlooking the gorge. The viewpoint offers a different perspective of the canyon and the surrounding peaks.
- Accommodation: Archontiko Zarkada or similar in Monodendri
- Walking for the day (option 1): 7.7km, 3h, ↑325m ↓325m
- Walking for the day (option 2): 1.6km, 45mins, ↑60m ↓60m
- Walking for the day (option 3): 2.1km, 50mins, ↑50m ↓50m
Day 6: Vikos Gorge | 16km
Start the day with a descent of 400m from Monodendri along a cobbled path into Vikos Gorge. The trail follows the riverbed through limestone cliffs and dense vegetation, with chances to spot local wildlife such as eagles or chamois, and also to swim in the freshwater. From the springs, ascend a well-preserved cobbled path to Vikos village, perched on the gorge’s rim.
- Accommodation: Foris House or similar in Vikos village
- Walking for the day: 16km, 5-6h, ↑700m ↓1,000m
Day 7: Vikos – Megalo Papingo | 14km
Start the day with views over Vikos Gorge before descending towards Voidomatis Springs. A detour is possible to the former Panagia of Vikos Monastery. Cross the river at the springs, where water levels until June may require removing boots. Follow the zigzagging cobbled path uphill to Mikro Papingo, where you take a loop to Kokkino Lithari (Red Rock) for views over the surrounding villages and mountains. Continue to Kolymbithres rock pools, where water collects in smooth limestone basins. From the pools, walk to Megalo Papingo for the final night of the trip.
- Accommodation: Saxonis Houses or similar in Megalo Papingo
- Walking for the day: 14km, 6h ↑350m ↓450m
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, you are transferred to Ioannina bus station or Ioannina Airport (IOA) for onward travel. Extra nights are available in Ioannina, Thessaloniki or Athens.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly locally-owned guesthouses and traditional stone mansions. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Doupiani House (Kastraki)
- Its-Kale Boutique Hotel (Ioannina)
- Archontiko Zarkada (Monodendri)
- Foris House (Vikos)
- Saxonis Houses (Megalo Papingo)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Accommodation is on a B&B basis. When no restaurant location is available on route lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops or you can pre-order a packed lunch at your hotel. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or the ones in the town.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is graded easy to moderate and suits walkers in good physical condition. Daily walks cover 7–16km (3–6h) and elevation gains up to 700m. The most demanding sections are in Zagori. Routes follow footpaths and cobbled paths, with a some steep sections. One Meteora walk is guided. Self-guided routes are well signposted, with route notes, GPS tracks and maps provided. Please note that the walk in Vikos Gorge may be strenuous for people without proper training or experience.
When to go
Available from late March to December. Self-guided flexibility allows starting on any date within the season. Zagori and Thessaly have a Mediterranean-continental climate influenced by the Pindos Mountains. May to September averages 15–25C, with hot days in July and August. Spring and autumn bring cooler nights and occasional rain. For more details, see our blog Best time to go to Greece.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival and departure airports for this trip are Thessaloniki Airport (SKG), Aktion Airport (PVK), or Athens International Airport (ATH).
By train or bus
Arrival
- From Athens International Airport (ATH) take a taxi or a public bus to Athens KTEL station. There are four daily buses to Kalambaka (last around 18.00), (5h, €29).
- From Kalambaka, take a local taxi or public bus to Kastraki.
Departure
- Included transfer: From Megalo Papingo to Ioannina Airport (IOA), Ioannina centre or Ioannina KTEL bus station.
- From Megalo Papingo, take a regional bus to Ioannina. Buses are limited (1-2 per day).
- Public buses connect Ioannina with Athens (three daily, €39) and Thessaloniki (four daily, €28).
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation on bed and breakfast basis
- Guided group walk through Meteora’s Caves on day three
- Private taxi transfer Ioannina-Monodendri
- Luggage transfer Monodendri-Vikos
- Luggage transfer Vikos-Megalo Papingo
- Private airport transfer Papingo-Ioannina airport or bus station
- Detailed tours materials in digital format (route notes, maps and GPS tracks)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/reprersentative
Excluded
- Flights and airport transfers
- Lunches and dinners
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Entrance fees to monasteries, museums and national parks
- Local tourist tax (payable on-site)
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically listed as ‘included’ in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Supplements, options and extras
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Transfer Meteora – Ioannina
- Transfer Athens International Airport (ATH) – Athens KTEL bus station and KTEL bus ticket to Kalambaka
- Transfer Athens KTEL bus station – Athens International Airport (ATH)
- Transfer Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) – Thessaloniki KTEL bus station and KTEL bus ticket to Ioannina
- Transfer between Meteora and the Zagori region (day 4)
- Transfer from Thessaloniki KTEL bus station to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)
- Bus ticket from Ioannina to Athens KTEL bus station
- Sunset excursion in Meteora (Guided)
- Extra nights
