Trekking the Pindos Horseshoe Trail: Explore Zagori's Hidden Gems

from $5,794

Duration

8 days

Type

Guided

Difficaulty

Moderate

Reviews

(4)

4.45 /5

8-days excursion, trekking in North Pindos and hiking in Zagori

About This Tour

Pindos Horseshoe Trail is a classic trekking tour in which you will discover the unique villages of Zagori, the Vikos gorge, alpine lakes, and mountains! There are places in the world, which are hidden from the first sight, they are not on headlines and you hardly can hear from your friends about them. But with Pindos Horseshoe Trail and after you visit Zagoria villages you will be one of those who can tell about the unspoiled beauty, the traditional villages and the stone trails and arched bridges of the area.

Highlights

Hike in the beautiful Zagori area
6 trek days in the North Pindos National Park
Traditional bridges & cobbled paths
The spectacular Vikos Gorge
Alpine lake Drakolimni
The crossing of unique Mt. Timfi massive

Is this trip good for me?

There will be luggage transfer every time we change hotel
Overnight in simple family guesthouses (3 stars)
1 overnight in the alpine refuge (bunk beds, common washrooms)
A 30lt backpack should be ok
Max walking 8hours
Average temp. in high summer 27 degrees
Average walking hours per day 6
Total 68km of hiking

Destinations

Papigkon, Vitsa

Activities

Hiking / Walking

Language

English, Greek

Themes

Adventure Activities, Eco-Tourism, Holiday and Seasonal Tours, Nature / Wildlife

Operator

Unlimited Adrenaline

Inclusions

Guides briefing at the start of the tour (Self guided option)
7 nights in guesthouses and local hotels
All meals included except 2 lunches, 1 dinner
All local transfers and luggage transfers according the itinerary
6 hiking days on moderate to steep trails
Local certified guide

Tour Plan

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 nan

Meeting at Vitsa village. We rest in the traditional guesthouse and walk around the village.

Day 2 nan

We hike from Vitsa to Koukouli, Kipi, where we tour around the old bridges that connected the villages, years ago. The walk starts from Vitsa, down hilling the Vitsa Steps, in the heart of Vikos Gorge. We cross one of the famous arched bridges and start-up hilling towards Koukouli. The village square calls for a refreshment!! The walk continues to Kipi, where we rest and see some more beautiful bridges, a real work of art! Through the dense forest, we hike to Dilofo, a village protected as a monument of local architecture. We rest at the square and walk back to Vitsa. Duration: 5-6 hours.

Day 3 nan

We start to cross Vikos Gorge, a very impressive canyon and one of the deepest in the world! We will be transferred to Monodendri (2km), then we hike downhill, where we meet the small river that flows through the gorge. We continue next to the stream and walk right into the heart of the National Park. In the gorge still find refuge a lot of wild animals, such as pray birds, bears, and wild boars. Our walk will end at Vikos village after a small ascent, around 40 minutes. We make a rest at Vikos. Dinner / overnight. Duration: 6-7 hours.

Day 4 nan

We drive back to Vikos Village. Our walk will take us towards Mikro Papigo. We start the tour walking down to Voidomatis springs. After a small rest, we start to climb the north-west face of Vikos Gorge direction Mikro Papigo. The views get more and more impressive as we hike up. The walk continues through the forest and under the impressive towers of Papingo, soon we will reach the village. A free evening can be enjoyed swimming by the natural pools near the village. Duration: 4 hours.

Day 5 nan

We hike from Papigo towards the high plateaus of Mt. Timfi, reaching an alpine lake at 2050m. The walk begins from Mikro Papigo, one of the most beautiful villages of Zagori, and continues through beautiful and quiet scenery towards Astraka mountain refuge. On the way up we will meet a lot of water springs so there is no need to carry a lot of water. After a small stop at the refuge, we continue another 1.30 hour to the “Drakolimni”, an alpine lake at 2050m. The scenery is magnificent as we have great views over the Pindos mountain range. We hike back to the refuge where we stay for the night. Duration: 6 hours.

Day 6 nan

A long day is ahead of us today as we have to cross the Timfi mountain range, a long but beautiful walk. We start down hilling from the refuge reaching the big plains of the mountain. Under the impressive cliffs of Astraka, we continue direction a small water reservoir Loutsa Robozi. A place for the Shepards to water the animals in summer. The walk brings us at the beginning of Megas Lakos an impressive canyon that ends at Vikos. As we cross a water spring we continue to the lands of Tsepelovo our final destination. Duration: 8 hours.

Day 7 nan

Our last day will lead us through old roads (kalderimia) through the plains of Vradeto, the highest village of Zagori. After a visit to Beloi, a viewpoint into the gorge, we walk towards Vradeto. From thereafter a stop in the village, we hike down the impressive Vradeto steps, a path that takes us down to Kapesovo. We drive to Elati where we spend the night. Duration: 7 hours.

Day 8 nan

Departure from Elati.

Meeting / Pickup

Meet on location: This experience has no pick-up service, customers have to make their way to our meeting point.

Cancellation Policy

We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% if booking is cancelled 7 days or less before the event
We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 14 days or less before the event

Reviews

4.45/5

Wonderful

4 verified reviews

Location (5/5)

Amenities (4.25/5)

Services (4.5/5)

Price (4.5/5)

Rooms (4/5)

4 Comments

Ahmed Taylor February 4, 2023
4.6
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
From the moment I set foot on the winding trails, I was captivated by the serene beauty and rich culture surrounding me. While the overnight accommodations were mostly charming, a couple left a bit to be desired in terms of comfort.
Jessica T. March 14, 2023
4.4
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
We embarked on an unforgettable journey through the stunning landscapes of Pindos in Greece, and it truly felt like we were uncovering Zagori’s best-kept secrets. Each day brought a delightful mix of trekking through lush forests, crossing charming stone bridges, and stumbling upon hidden villages that seemed untouched by time. Nights spent in quaint guesthouses were particularly memorable; we enjoyed delicious local cuisine and the warm hospitality of our hosts, who generously shared stories about the area.

However, a couple of the trails were a bit more strenuous than we anticipated, which made us wish for a bit more clarity on the itinerary’s difficulty levels. Despite that, we were constantly rewarded by breathtaking views and the sense of accomplishment that comes from pushing our limits. The camaraderie among fellow trekkers added to the experience, and we formed bonds over shared adventures and laughter. Overall, this journey was a fantastic way to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty and cultural richness of the region.
Mo Petrov October 11, 2023
4.4
- Location
- Amenities
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- Rooms
Exploring the hidden gems of Pindos in Greece was a delightful experience for our family, particularly the breathtaking views along the horseshoe trail. We appreciated the cozy accommodations, which provided a nice touch of comfort after long days of trekking. While the itinerary was ambitious and at times challenging for our younger kids, the stunning landscapes and rich culture made every effort worthwhile.
Wolf November 2, 2023
4.4
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
We found ourselves captivated by the stunning vistas along the trail, especially during our picnic lunch with homemade bread and local cheese under a sprawling oak tree.