Papingo rock pools

What they are

The Papingo rock pools, called Kolymbithres or Ovires of the Rogovos in Greek, are natural basins that the Rogovos stream has carved into the limestone, between the two villages of Papingo: Megalo (the big one) and Mikro (the small one). The water settles in polished rock bowls, one after another. Above them rises Astraka, in the Tymfi massif.

It is a short, cool outing for the afternoon, after a long hike or a day driving around Zagori.

Getting there

Papingo is in western Zagori. From Monodendri it takes a little over an hour by car, and the last part is the winding road from Aristi.

A simple path leads down to the pools from Mikro Papingo square: it passes a small chapel and zigzags down for about 15 minutes to the streambed. From there you follow the stream upstream: the first pool is about 200 m along, the second 100 m further up and the third, the biggest and deepest, about 80 m after that. In total it is about 1.8 km there and back, with 80 m of descent and as much again of climbing on the way back. Allow half an hour each way and some time in the water.

The streambed is uneven, slippery rock: it is easy, but not for flip-flops. The climb back is more tiring than it looks.

Swimming

The water comes down from the mountain and is very cold. In April it is around 7 °C, which takes away any wish to swim; in July and August a swim is possible, though the water still takes your breath away. The flow changes with the season: in high summer it drops to just enough to keep the pools filled, and in spring or after rain the stream can run high. Do not dive in without checking the depth and do not get in if the water is flowing strongly.

When to go

For looking, all year except when the stream is in spate. For swimming, July and August, in the early afternoon, when the sun warms the rock. In summer, early or late in the afternoon there are usually fewer people.

Facilities and water

There is nothing at the pools: no drinking water and no toilets. Bring water, a towel and footwear with grip. Tavernas and accommodation are in the villages: in Mikro Papingo you have Veranda 1700 for eating and Mikro Papigo 1700 for sleeping; in Megalo Papingo, the Papaevangelou Hotel.

With children or a dog

For children who walk well, it is a short outing with a reward. Watch out for wet rock and deep pools: always with an adult beside them. Dogs are fine, but on the stretches of polished rock they will struggle; keep yours on a lead near other bathers.

How to combine it

The pools are on the way of the Geopark's great Papingo – Drakolimni – Papingo route. If you climb to Lake Drakolimni in the morning, a cold dip on the way back, if you have any energy left, rounds off the day nicely. For the next morning, rafting on the Voidomatis is a short drive away.