Hiking Vikos Gorge, in the heart of the Vikos-Aoos National Park, is a rewarding and thrilling experience, since it brings visitors directly in contact with the exceptional nature of Epirus, its architectural heritage and its gastronomy.
The impressive Gorge is located 30 kilometers northwest of Ioannina and stretches 11 kilometers between the villages of Monodendri, Vradeto, Vikos and Papingo, while Voidomatis, one of the main tributaries of the Aoos River, accompanies you along the Gorge, keeps you cool and offers moments of relaxation.
Before you start, it would be wise to check the weather conditions as from mid-April or early May, the melting snow makes passages difficult in several places, and during rainy periods, landslides may occur in several parts of the gorge. To this end, having the right equipment is essential (hiking shoes, suitable clothes, trekking poles, a backpack with a light snack and of course a water bottle). Make sure that you also have official trail maps of the area.
The gorge is particularly known to hiking enthusiasts, but crossing it is not quite as simple as it sounds, as, although the route is not considered technically difficult, it involves a long hike that is not suitable for everyone, especially for children. The classic route starts at Monodendri and ends at the village of Vikos. The route has uphill, downhill and flat sections, with various landscape pattern changes, from the deep shade of dense vegetation to the dirt paths and from the old cobblestone paths to the bed of the Voidomatis River, with views of the Tymfi peaks. You can make a stop at one of the many shady plateaus. The one definitely worth visiting, is at the sources of the Voidomatis River, about 2 hours after Papingo. If you hike this trail before the first rains fall, this is the only place where you will encounter water. Crossing Vikos is a lifetime experience as you become one with nature! You hear birds chirping, you pass through impressive rock formations, and you observe rare herbs and flowers, especially in spring when everything is in bloom.
We recommend the classic trail that crosses the Gorge, starting at Monodendri and lasting about 6 hours, starting at 1,100m, descending to 500m and then ascending once again to 1,000m. The trail descends steeply to the riverbed and the route is mostly in shaded areas parallel to the river. The extremely well-marked national trail 03 passes through an area full of huge plane trees, with the imposing peak of Gamila above. Over 186 species of birds and 1,800 species of plants are found in Vikos Gorge and you will have the opportunity to see some during your hike.
Fill up your water bottles with cool water and rest at Klima spring, with the highest and narrowest point of the Gorge in the background; continue your hike to the village of Vikos, where you can enjoy local delicacies such as pies and wild boar at the village square. If you have stamina and will, you can continue the hike to Papingo, a downhill trail at the beginning and uphill at the end.
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