The Aristi to Papingo road

What it is

It is the road to western Zagori, and one of the best known in Greece for its bends. It leaves Aristi, at about 620 m, drops to the Voidomatis valley, crosses the river and climbs in 23 hairpin bends to Papingo, at about 930 m. It is about 10.8 km of tarmac, with a gentle average gradient, around 3%, but with ramps of up to 10% in the hairpin stretches.

As you climb, on one side opens the exit of the Vikos Gorge and opposite appear the walls of the Astraka, above the two Papingo villages. It is not a road for racing: it is the way to get to Papingo, and it is best taken as part of the journey.

The route step by step

1. Up to Aristi. From Ioannina, take the national road towards Konitsa and, past Kalpaki, the signposted turn-off to Aristi and Papingo. Aristi is a good place to stop for a drink before going on.
2. Descent to the Voidomatis. From Aristi the road descends towards the river. At the bottom it crosses the Voidomatis by the Aristi bridge, next to where the rafting descents start.
3. The hairpins. On the other side of the river the climb begins in 23 hairpin bends up the slope. This is the part that gives the road its fame.
4. Arrival at Papingo. At the top the road reaches Megalo Papingo and carries on a little further to Mikro Papingo, where it ends.

How to drive it

The carriageway is narrow and on the hairpins two cars pass with difficulty. Climb slowly, in a low gear, and sound the horn before blind bends if you can't see anything. At each hairpin, brake before entering and leave room for oncoming traffic. There are few places to stop; if you want to take photos, look for a wider spot and don't stop on a bend.

On a motorbike it is a very popular route: watch the surface on the inside of the bends. With a caravan or large motorhome, think twice: the hairpins are tight and narrow.

When to go

It can be done all year. In winter, with snow or ice, the upper part can get complicated: ask at your accommodation before setting out. In August and on summer weekends there are more cars; first thing you will have a calmer drive.

Fuel and facilities

In the Zagori villages don't count on a petrol station: fill up in Ioannina. If you come by air, at Ioannina airport and in the city there is car hire.

What you will use it for

It is the road to drive to Papingo, the starting point of the route to Lake Drakolimni and the Papingo rock pools. In Aristi you can eat at Salvia and sleep at the Aristi Mountain Resort; up top, at Mikro Papigo 1700 or the Papaevangelou Hotel.