Vikos Gorge from Monodendri to Vikos
6 h 40 · 12.5 kmFit, with mountain footwearApril – November
Zagori's classic crossing: from Monodendri to the bottom of the Vikos Gorge and the climb to Vikos. 10.6–12.5 km, 6–8 h, a single spring.
AccessBy car from Ioannina, about 50 min
Best timeMay · Jun · Sep · Oct
Minimum time2 days
Overall difficultyModerate
Don't go down into the gorge in heavy rain or at midday in summer. The Vikos path has no railings and on the route there is only one reliable spring. Set off early, carry at least two litres per person and wear mountain footwear.
What to do
What to do in Zagori
Each plan says how long it takes, who it's for and whether you can book.
Drakolimni of Tymfi from Mikro Papingo
9 h · 16.5 kmFit mountain walkersMay – October
A climb from Mikro Papingo to the dragon lake of Tymfi, at about 2,050 m, via the Astraka refuge: 16.5 km, 1,370 m of ascent, around 9 hours.
Oxia viewpoint and Agia Paraskevi monastery
1 h 30All ages
Two ways to look into the Vikos Gorge from Monodendri: Agia Paraskevi monastery (around 1414), 600 m on foot, and the Oxia viewpoint, 8 km away.
Plan the trip
Zagori, step by step
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
When to go to Zagori
May, June, September and October. In July and August the gorge is hot at midday; the Astraka refuge only opens from May to October and in winter it snows in the high villages.
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Best timeGood timeLow season
How you travel
Zagori your way
Choose how you're travelling and we'll tell you where to stay, how to get around, where to eat and which services you'll need. We only show the ways of travelling that make sense here.
By car from Ioannina, with two bases
Zagori is explored by car: the villages are 40–50 minutes from Ioannina and there is no useful transport between them. The comfortable way is to sleep one or two nights in Monodendri and as many in Papingo or Aristi.
90–150 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepMonodendri: Hotel Monodendri and Archontiko…
- Getting aroundHire in Ioannina or in…
- EatingPies at the Hotel Monodendri…
- ServicesPetrol in Ioannina: fill up…
Where to sleep
- Monodendri: Hotel Monodendri and Archontiko Zarkada, beside the gorge
- Papingo: Papaevangelou Hotel and Mikro Papigo 1700
- Aristi: Aristi Mountain Resort, with spa, minimum two nights
Getting around
- Hire in Ioannina or in Athens: 4 h 30 from the capital
- Ioannina – Kozani road as far as Kalpaki, then the turning to Aristi and Papingo
- Monodendri, Kipi, Vradeto and Oxia, along narrow roads in central Zagori
Eating
- Pies at the Hotel Monodendri restaurant
- Dinner at Veranda 1700 or Salvia, booking ahead
Services
- Petrol in Ioannina: fill up before driving up
- Car park in Monodendri for the gorge
- Chains from December to February
From Monodendri to Drakolimni in three days
Three linked stages: the Vikos Gorge from Monodendri to Papingo, the climb from Mikro Papingo to the Astraka refuge and, the next day, Drakolimni and the descent. From May to October, when the refuge is open.
60–110 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHotel Monodendri, the night before…
- Getting aroundO3 trail through the Vikos…
- EatingAstraka refuge kitchen
- SafetyTake a guide with Trekking…
Where to sleep
- Hotel Monodendri, the night before the gorge
- Papaevangelou Hotel or Mikro Papigo 1700, at the end of the gorge
- Astraka refuge, €18 a bed, bring a sleeping-bag liner
Getting around
- O3 trail through the Vikos Gorge: 6–7 h
- Mikro Papingo – Astraka: about 3 h climbing
- Astraka – Drakolimni: another hour and a half
- Pre-arranged taxi to get your car back in Monodendri
Eating
- Astraka refuge kitchen
- Water: there is only one reliable spring in the gorge
Safety
- Take a guide with Trekking Hellas or Alpine Zone if it is your first time
- Do not go down into the gorge in heavy rain
- Patchy coverage: leave word of your plan
Mountain bends beside the Egnatia
Zagori is a stone's throw from the Egnatia Odos, the motorway that crosses northern Greece from Igoumenitsa to Thessaloniki. The village roads are short, narrow and full of tight bends: you ride them slowly and with views.
90–150 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepAristi Mountain Resort, with its…
- RidingAristi to Papingo road: bridge…
- EatingPies in Monodendri at midday
- ServicesPetrol in Ioannina: fill up…
Where to sleep
- Aristi Mountain Resort, with its own parking
- Hotel Monodendri and Archontiko Zarkada, with parking in Monodendri
Riding
- Aristi to Papingo road: bridge over the Voidomatis and tight bends
- The climb to Vradeto, the highest village, and to the Oxia and Beloi viewpoints
- Egnatia Odos towards Metsovo and Meteora, with tolls and many tunnels
- National road Ioannina – Kozani as far as Kalpaki to enter Zagori
Eating
- Pies in Monodendri at midday
- Salvia, in Aristi, for dinner
Services
- Petrol in Ioannina: fill up before driving up
- Snow from December to February in the high villages
Fly to Athens or Thessaloniki and Drive to Zagori
Zagori is done by car. From Spain you fly direct to Athens or, with Aegean from Barcelona, to Thessaloniki, and hire the car at the airport: it is about 4 h 30 from Athens to Ioannina and about 310 km from Thessaloniki via the Egnatia. Ioannina airport, 4 km from the city and about 48 km from Aristi, only has flights from Athens; Preveza receives international flights from April to October.
- Getting thereAthens Airport (ATH), with direct…
- Getting aroundHire car from the airport…
- Where to stayAristi Mountain Resort, in Aristi…
- ServicesIoannina airport
Getting there
- Athens Airport (ATH), with direct flights from Spain all year
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG), closer by motorway
- Ioannina Airport (IOA), with a connection from Athens
Getting around
- Hire car from the airport: there are few buses to the villages
- Fill the tank in Ioannina before going up
- A pre-arranged taxi to come back from Vikos or Papingo after the gorge
Where to stay
- Aristi Mountain Resort, in Aristi, with the Voidomatis and Papingo nearby
- Ioannina, if the flight arrives late and you prefer not to drive at night in the mountains
Services
- Ioannina airport
- Car hire in Ioannina
How much does it cost?
People2
Nights3
Who you're with
Zagori for whoever you're with
A trip with a toddler is not the same as one with a teenager. Pick yours to see what works and what to bear in mind.
Bridges, rock pools and a calm river
With small children, Zagori is done in short pieces with the car close by. The gorge and Drakolimni can wait for another trip; the bridges, viewpoints and water work from the start.
- What works bestThe Kipi bridges, beside the…
- Where to sleepHotels with parking in Monodendri…
- EatingCheese and chicken pies in…
- Keep in mindCobbled streets and paths with…
What works best
- The Kipi bridges, beside the road with short walks
- The Oxia viewpoint, reached by car
- The Papingo rock pools in July and August
- Gentle rafting on the Voidomatis: Alpine Zone accepts children from 3 in summer and Trekking Hellas from 4
Where to sleep
- Hotels with parking in Monodendri, close to Oxia and Kipi
- Aristi, halfway between the rafting and Papingo
Eating
- Cheese and chicken pies in Monodendri
- Pack some snacks: there are no shops between villages
Keep in mind
- Cobbled streets and paths with steps: a baby carrier is better than a pushchair
- Viewpoints without railings: hold children by the hand
- The Voidomatis water is very cold even in August
What to do with young children
One day on the water and another at viewpoints
With children of different ages, alternate: one day of rafting and rock pools, another of viewpoints and bridges by car. If the eldest already walks well, the Vradeto steps are a short challenge everyone can try.
- What works bestRafting on the Voidomatis, grade…
- Where to sleepHotel Monodendri, with family rooms…
- EatingHotel Monodendri restaurant: pies and…
- Keep in mindThe Vikos Gorge is 6–7…
What works best
- Rafting on the Voidomatis, grade II, three hours with wetsuit included
- Kipi bridges and the Oxia viewpoint in the same morning
- Beloi viewpoint, a short walk from Vradeto
- The Vradeto steps, 3 km and about a thousand steps
Where to sleep
- Hotel Monodendri, with family rooms and triples
- Papaevangelou Hotel in Papingo, with triples and a studio
Eating
- Hotel Monodendri restaurant: pies and lamb with lemon
- Picnic at the Papingo rock pools in summer
Keep in mind
- The Vikos Gorge is 6–7 h: only with kids used to walking
- There are bends between villages: bring something for travel sickness
- Outside the villages coverage is patchy
What to do as a family
The whole gorge and a lake at 2,000 m
Zagori gives a teenager the chance to come home properly tired. The Vikos Gorge and Drakolimni are full days of mountain, and rafting is the reward.
- What works bestThe Vikos Gorge from Monodendri…
- Where to sleepAstraka refuge, in bunks: part…
- EatingAstraka refuge dining room
- Keep in mindTrekking Hellas guides ask for…
What works best
- The Vikos Gorge from Monodendri to Vikos, with a guide from age 12
- Drakolimni with a night at the Astraka refuge
- Rafting on the Voidomatis, with no age limit to hold them back
- The Vradeto steps, to test themselves
Where to sleep
- Astraka refuge, in bunks: part of the adventure
- Mikro Papigo 1700, at the foot of the climb to Astraka
Eating
- Astraka refuge dining room
- Pies to take away from Monodendri
Keep in mind
- Trekking Hellas guides ask for age 12 for the gorge and Drakolimni
- Set out early: in summer the heat bears down on the floor of the gorge
- There is almost no coverage on the trail
What to do with teenagers
Where to stay
Where to stay if you're drivingif you're on footif you're on a motorbikeif you're flying
We show you what suits the way you travel.Change how you travel
Astraka refuge
Why we like it: The refuge of the Hellenic Mountaineering Federation, between Astraka and Lapatos. You sleep an hour and a half from the lake and set off before anyone arrives from Papingo. Book by phone or email.
From €18
View details
Mikro Papigo 1700
Why we like it: In the village where the climb to Astraka and Drakolimni begins: you set off on foot from the door and come back to the spa.
Papaevangelou Hotel
Why we like it: On the edge of Megalo Papingo, with wooden floors and ceilings. A good finish for the Vikos Gorge if you walk it as far as Papingo.
Aristi Mountain Resort
Why we like it: Year-round spa hotel with the Salvia restaurant and valley views. It is on the way to Papingo and the Voidomatis rafting.
Monodendri Hotel
Why we like it: Family hotel since the 1980s, with views of the gorge and Tymfi. You have breakfast and walk down to the Vikos trail.
Small hotel
Archontiko Zarkada
Why we like it: Stone mansion with a large terrace, less than a kilometre on foot from the edge of the gorge.
Services for this trip
Areas, for any way of travelling
| Area | Who it's for | Average night |
|---|---|---|
| Central Zagori: Monodendri and Kipi | Down into the Vikos Gorge, viewpoints and stone bridges | |
| Western Zagori: Papingo | Drakolimni, rock pools and the end of the gorge | |
| Aristi | Rafting on the Voidomatis, halfway to everything |
Where to eat
Where to eat in Zagori
From set lunch menus to Michelin stars. We mark the price level and what to order at each place.
Salvia
What to order: traditional Epirus dishes made with local produce and from the hotel's farm, with a Greek wine.
Restaurant of Aristi Mountain Resort · book ahead
Veranda 1700
What to order: local dishes made with produce from small producers and a wine from their list.
Restaurant of Mikro Papigo 1700 · 14:00 to 17:00 and 18:00 to 22:00 · book for dinner
Monodendri Hotel restaurant
What to order: tiropita, chicken pie, lamb with lemon or kleftiko, and the house apple tart.
Traditional Zagori cooking at the Daskalopoulos family hotel, in the village where the gorge walk starts
Astraka refuge kitchen
What to order: a hot dish from the refuge menu before you continue to the lake.
Early May to the end of October · at 1,950 m · serves food and drink daily until 21:00
Map
Everything on the map
The places to stay and services on the map are the ones for the way you travel. Turn on the layers you want and tap a point to see its details.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Nearby
Near Zagori
The closest places, whichever country they are in.
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Sleep on both sides
One night in Monodendri and another in Papingo let you do the gorge end to end without going back for the car.
- 2Agreed taxi at the end of the gorge
If you do it on your own, book the return taxi from Vikos or Papingo to Monodendri beforehand. Carry cash.
- 3Oxya, best first thing
With the low sun, the gorge has relief. At midday the light flattens it and the cars arrive.
- 4Patchy coverage
On remote paths there is no signal: leave word of your route.
Local tip
If you only have one day, go up to Oxya at dawn, go down to see Agia Paraskevi and in the afternoon do the rafting on the Voidomatis. The full gorge needs a whole day.
Going to Drakolimni in a day when out of shape.
It is 16.5 km and almost 1,400 m of ascent there and back. If you don't usually walk that much, sleep at the Astraka refuge and go up to the lake the next day.
Do you need a car?
Almost always, yes. There are KTEL Ioannina buses to the best-known villages, such as Papingo and Monodendri, with journeys of 40 minutes to an hour and a half, but they are few, don't run every day and don't stop at viewpoints or at the start of the routes. The timetables are not on their website: ask at Ioannina station before counting on them. The alternative is a taxi from Ioannina or, for linear routes, having your guide or hotel pick you up at the end.
From Ioannina you leave by the Konitsa road (the Ioannina – Kozani national road). Around kilometre 39, past Kalpaki, on the right is the turn-off for Aristi and Papingo; Monodendri, Kipi and central Zagori come before it, via signposted turn-offs from the same road. Fill the tank in Ioannina: don't count on a petrol station in the villages.
What are the roads like?
Paved, narrow and mountainous. The climb from Aristi to Papingo crosses the Voidomatis and climbs in hairpin bends: it is short, but you drive slowly and carefully at the junctions. Vradeto, the highest village in Zagori at 1,340 m, has had a road up since the 1970s; before that it could only be reached by the stone staircase. From December to February it can snow in the high villages: carry chains or ask at your accommodation before heading up.
How do you get there from Spain?
By flying to Athens or Thessaloniki and hiring a car. From Athens it is about 430 km to Ioannina, about 4 h 30, via the Patras motorway, the Rio–Antirrio bridge and the Ionia Odos (A5), with tolls. From Thessaloniki you go along the Egnatia Odos (A2), also tolled, about 310 km to Aristi. Ioannina airport, 4 km from the city, only has scheduled flights from Athens; Preveza receives international flights from April to October and is about 140 km away. The Egnatia also connects with Meteora, to the east, and with the port of Igoumenitsa, 130 km from Papingo, with ferries to Corfu every hour (an hour and a half crossing) and to Italy.
What closes in winter?
The Astraka refuge closes from November to April, and with it the Drakolimni route makes no sense without winter experience. The park recommends the gorge from April to November. Rafting on the Voidomatis runs all year, with thicker wetsuits and a higher minimum age in winter. Aristi Mountain Resort is open all year.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Zagori?
Three or four nights: one day for the Vikos Gorge, another for Drakolimni or rafting and one more for viewpoints and bridges by car.
Can you walk the Vikos Gorge without a guide?
Yes. The O3 path is waymarked from Monodendri to Vikos or to Papingo. With a guide they sort out the return transport, which is the tricky part on your own.
Can you go to Zagori without a car?
With difficulty. The buses from Ioannina are few and not daily. For a short stay, take a taxi from Ioannina and walk between villages.
Can you swim in the Voidomatis?
The water is very cold all year: on average it doesn't go above 4 °C. Keep the swim short. The Papingo rock pools warm up a little more in July and August.
Is Zagori a good destination with children?
Yes, with a plan to suit them: Kipi bridges, Papingo rock pools, the Oxya viewpoint and gentle rafting on the Voidomatis, which some companies accept from 3 or 4 years old in summer.
Do you have to pay to enter the gorge?
No. The paths and viewpoints are free; you pay for the guide, the refuge or the return taxi if you use them.