ACTIVITIES
(WINTER –SUMMER)
IOANNINA: 7 km N.Road IOANNINA-ATHENS -45221IOANNINA –GREECE P.O. BOX 1045
TEL:+30 2651093555 ,91072, 1074 FAX:+30 26510 92595
URL :www.epiruspalace.gr e-mail: [email protected]
Hiking
Aristi bridge-Kleidonia bridge
Probably one of the best routes in Zagori. Starting
from the bridge of Aristis (about 3km down after
the village towards Papigo) and following the
Voidomatis river. Most of the route is inside dense
Zagorian forest, just next to the river with many
places to enter the water. The route is not signposted but the path is clear and visible all the way
until bridge of Kleidonias. The route is easy and
flat, probably suitable for "walking" category.
Amazing views to the canyon of Voidomatis!
 Vitsa-Koukouli
This route connect the villages Vitsa and Koukouli.
It is a route of 4 kilometres that will not take you
more than 1,5 hour of enjoyable walk in order to
get to your destination. You will begin from the
square of the village Vitsa and taking the paved
cobbled road ,you will go down to the
watercourse of Vikos.You will pass by the stone
bridge of Misios and go up to Koukouli.
The Famous Vradeto Stairs
Kapesovo-Vradeto-Mpeloi
The route starts from village of
Kapesovo, through the famous
Vradeto
Steps
("Skala
tou
Vradetou") to the village of Vradeto
and later to the view point of
Mpeloi (the name is probably from
french word of "beautiful"). The
route is easy and relaxing with no
technical difficulties. Very nice
views from the steps and
absolutely amazing from Mpeloi to
the whole Vikos gorge! It is
absolutely mandatory place to visit
in Zagori!! (together with Oksia
and Vikos village, to combine all 3
view points of the gorge from all
directions).
Crossing of the Vikos Gorge
(from Vikos village to
Monodendri or vice versa)
The most popular hike in West Zagori is the
crossing of the Vikos Gorge. The 15km hike,
which takes about 6 hours, is not an easy one.
The starting point or it can also be the end point
of the hike follows a rather steep stone path.
Due to the fact that the warning or information
signs are rare and not very clear near
Monodendri, it is better to have a guide with
you, or you should obtain information about the
path’s condition before starting. At one point the
path is actually the riverbed which makes the
crossing dependable on the weather conditions.
The ascent to the Vikos village takes about 45
minutes, and the ascent to Monodendri about 1
hour 30 minutes .This hike is impressive, but
near Monodendri the view is obstructed by the
dense flora. This can result in losing sight of the
path. You are advised to pay attention to the hot
hours
of
the
day
during
summer.
 Mount Tymfi (Gamila)
The most well known mountaineering trail of the
Zagori area starts from the village M. Papigo and
ascends up to the Gamila or Astraka shelter at a
level of 1920 meter above sea. This takes about 3
hours along a well-signed path, for well-trained
people 2 hours 30 minutes are enough. During
the last hour the ascending path is steep and
leads through an alpine landscape. The view from
the refuge is magnificent. The refuge is in good
condition and offers drink, food and sleep
facilities to the visitors. The most beautiful alpine
lake in Greece, Drakolimni (Dragon Lake) can be
reached within one and a quarter hours from the
refuge. Tritons the small impressive amphibians
can be seen in the lake’s water. From there you
have breathtaking view towards the Aoos river
valley and the Smolikas peak.
Alternatively, or additionally to the Dragon lake, from the refuge you can hike to the Gamila Peak.
Starting from the refuge, you descend down the same path that leads to Drakolimni for thirty
minutes, until you reach the Loutses (small lakes that dry up during the summer months). From
here you turn south (to the right) and climb up the pass between the Gamila and Astraka Peaks.
After a 2 hours 45
minutes demanding
walk you will reach the
Gamila Peak (At 2540m
it is the third highest
Greek mountain peak).
The last part of the hike
is rocky and not signed.
We advise that you
engage a mountain guide
to help you with the hike,
and to stay overnight in
the refuge.
Arkoudorema European walking route Ε6
The route starts from the Lake of Aoo’s springs and ends up to Arkoudorema. It is a route of 10 km.
You begin from the dam of DEI in 1300 meters altitude and following the flow of the river , which
of course has no water because of the dam , slopes of the top Flabouro until Arkoudorema in
1000m altitude.
Duration of the
hiking is 4 hours and
the route has
signaling all the way.
Meteora
The best way to admire Meteora is to hike up the cliffs and admire from the monasteries
totaling 5 hours walking. The walk starts from the village square Kastraki shortly after we
reach the Cloister of drops or Doupiani. Then the route heads towards the ruined monastery of
the Pantocrator ,the Ypapanti and the ruins of the monastery of Agios Dimitrios. From that
point the trail leads to the impressive Great Meteor and the Monastery of Varlaam ,while at the
end of the path you go down to the monastery of St.George Mandila and where youths climb
the rocks with only rope as an offering to the saint. This route requires a good physical
condition
and
will
cover
a
total
distance
of
8
km.
 Rafting
Lots of rafting schools that can take you on a tour in
waters of the nearby rivers can be found in Ioannina.
The rivers Aoos and Voidomatis are ideal for rafting
and kayak as they have easy and more difficult routes
that can be up to 27 kilometers long. As far as rafting
is concerned, Voidomati’s route is ideal for beginners
in contrast to that of Aoos that is only for experienced
and well trained athletes as it is one of the most
difficult in Greece. The most famous route in Aoos
starts from the bridge between the villages of Palioseli
and Vrysochori and ends up near the bridge of
Konitsa. The route with a length of 15 kilometers is
difficult and can be completed from 4 to 8 hours
according to the flow of the river. Kayak, monocraft or
hot dogs can also be used. Some parts of it that seem
to be easier, especially from the monastery of Stomio,
can become easier. In Voidomatis the classic route
starts from the bridge of Aristi-Papigo, follows an
evergreen route in the canyon of Voidomatis and ends
up in its exit under the bridge of Kleidonia. Rafting,
kayak, monocrafts or hot dogs can be used. It lasts
from 1 to 2 hours and its difficulty level is II. For the
more experienced kayak lovers, Kerasovitikos
(tributary of Sarantaporos), is ideal in early spring.
And sometimes why not Sarantaporos himself!
Rafting at Voidomatis river
Technical difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour & 41 minutes
Rafting at Arachthos river
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1 hour & 21 minutes
Rafting at Arachthos river
(Politsas-Plakas bridge)
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Time : 4 hours
Rafting at Voidomatis river
(Aristi bridge-Kleidonia bridge)
Technical difficulty: Easy
Time :1 hour & 30 minutes
Rafting at Acherontas river
Technical difficulty: Moderate
 Mountain Biking
The Zagori forests and the Pedina plateau are
ideal places to pedal on a mountain bike. Visit
the impressive area as you vigorously exercise
yourself.
 Canyoning
For many extreme sport fans canyoning is the
top of all the field activities since it combines
hiking in a wild scenery, swimming in a river,
going down a vertical cliff (rappel) on a
waterfall using special equipment.
Canoying Program
The Vradeto Canyon has a crossing time
between 4 and 6 hours
,depending on the
number of participants. At the start you get the
necessary gear and we give you 20 minutes
tuition on the technique. After some four hours
crossing, having covered 2,5 kms with a 400 m
height descend ,we reach the end of the crossing
at the entrance of the village
Kapesovo.
Minimum participation 4 to 6 persons. In case of
heavy and repeated rainfall the activity is
cancelled for security reasons.
 Horse riding
Horse riding in a course or in nature? You
will find both in the prefecture of Ioannina.
Only 5 minutes outside Ioannina you can
visit the Center of Therapeutic Horse Riding
that is located in an evergreen plain in the
Agricultural School of Katsikas. The center
has not only an outdoor but also an indoor
course as well so that the programs can take
place regardless of the weather conditions.
Just outside Ioannina, in the settlement of
Klimatia, operates the Horse Riding Center,
where courses take place or school
excursions are organized in order for the
children to come in contact with horses. If
you want, however, to enjoy the beautiful
nature on the back of a horse, you will have
to go up in Zagorochoria. There, in Megalo
Papigo, you will find the “White Pegasus”
center that will guide you to the area on the
back of a horse.
Center of Therapeutic Horse Riding:
(+30) 6936 892931
Horse Riding Center of Ioannina:
(+30) 6977 141490
White Pegasus:
(+30) 26530 42204, 6977 011275
 Flower Observation
In the area of the National Park of
Pindus in North-Western Greece you
can find a huge variety of plants and
wild flowers .
 Butterfly Observation
At Bourazani park you have the
opportunity to observe a big variety
of Butterflies.
The wine road of Epirus
Wineries
Ζοinος
Zitsa, T: 26580 22297
www.zitsawine.gr
[email protected]
Domaine Glinavos
Monastiri Zitsa
Zitsa, T: 26580 22212
www.glinavos.gr
Katogi & Strofilia
Metsovo, T: 26560 41684
www.katogi-strofilia.gr
In Epirus we can savor the freshness and
aromatic finesse of the white wines of Zitsa
and the earthy solidity of the Metsovo reds
 Ski - Snowboard
Vasilitsa Ski Resort
One of the ski resorts in Greece that has rare beauty and lots of snow in the winter is Vasilitsa
Ski Resort. It is located 42klm. away from Grevena and its about 1 hour and 30 minutes from
Ioannina.The nature is amazing while skiing on fresh powder ( fresh snow)between
big coniferous trees. With a total of 6 lifts and 18 slopes the Vasilitsa Ski Resort has 22
kilometers of skiing area. Two of the slopes have been approved by the International Ski
Federation (F.I.S) for conducting alpine ski competitions. The resort has also a
good Snowpark that holds many events during the ski season.
Anilio Ski Center
Anilio Ski Center is located in Anilio of
Metsovo, only 50 kilometers away from
Ioannina, 80 from Trikala and 215
from Thessaloniki, the ski lovers will
have the chance to enjoy the snow at an
altitude of 1850 meters. The newest ski
center in Greece has routes of all
difficulties. In order to get up on the
sides there is a two-seated, 800-meter
lift, two brand new, 280 and 300
meters towed lifts and two baby lifts. In
the ski center you will also find a shop
for renting ski and snowboard
equipment, sleighs for the younger and
a ski school as well.
T: (+30) 6980760850
WINTER
Hiking
Rafting
Mountain Biking
Night Rafting
Canyoning
Horse Riding
Flower Observation
Butterfly Observation
Wine Road
Ski-Snowboard
SUMMER
Hiking
Rafting
Mountain Biking
Night Rafting
Canyoning
Horse Riding
Flower Observation
Butterfly Observation
Wine Road
Enjoy your
stay!!!