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Walking and Trekking in Zagori

Walking routes in Greece's wild and beautiful northern Pindos mountains

ISBN

9781852849412

Availability

Published

11 Jan 2019

Edition

First

Pages

248

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.50cm

Weight

280g

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Guidebook to 30 walks and 3 treks centred on Zagori and Konitsa in mainland Greece. From easy strolls to demanding hikes along remote mountainous traverses, including the rugged peaks of Mt Timfi and Mt Smolikas in the Pindos range, Drakolimni Lake, and the dramatic Vikos Gorge. With background information on architecture, history and wildlife.

Seasons

The best time to walk the routes is in springtime (end of May - June) and autumn (September - October) when the sun and temperatures are milder and the region quieter.

Centres

Kipi, Dilofo, Tsepelovo, Monodendri, Elafotopos, Papigo, Konitsa, Pades, Metsovo, Vovousa

Difficulty

Routes range from easy one-hour strolls on clear and well-waymarked paths suitable for all hikers (Grade 1) to strenuous ascents and rugged non-technical mountainous routes for which a very good level of fitness, route-finding skills and experience in high mountain terrain are required (Grade 4).

Must See

Vikos Gorge; scenic villages with unique architecture; amazing 18th-century stone bridges and cobblestone path network; Drakolimni alpine tarns (also known as the Dragonlakes); rafting opportunities on the Voidomatis River; stunning mountain scenery; the mystical Valia Calda National Park

ISBN

9781852849412

Availability

Published

11 Jan 2019

Edition

First

Pages

248

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.50cm

Weight

280g

Overview

A guidebook to 30 day walks, plus 3 mini-treks, in the Zagori region of north-western Greece. Taking in both the stunning mountain scenery of the Pindos and the region’s historic architecture, the graded routes range from easy strolls on clear waymarked paths to strenuous mountain hikes calling for good fitness, route-finding skills and experience in high mountain terrain.

The day walks vary from 3 to 24km (2–15 miles) and can be enjoyed in 1–8 hours; the treks span 2–3 days. Routes are split between five geographical areas covering central Zagori; Vikos Gorge; Mount Timfi; Konitsa and Mount Smolikas; and Valia Calda National Park and Metsovo.

Clear route description illustrated with 1:50,000 mapping
GPX files available for download
Local points of interest, plus history, geology, plants and wildlife
Includes the Drakolimni ‘Dragonlakes’ and ascents of Mount Smolikas (Greece’s second highest mountain) and Mount Timfi
Sized to easily fit in a jacket pocket

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Map key

Regional overview map

Location of walks and treks

Introduction

Zagori: a historical and cultural overview

Geography and geology

Plants and wildlife

When to go

Getting there

Getting around

Accommodation

Food and drink

Language

What to take

Maps and GPS

Weather forecasts

Staying safe

Emergencies, rescue and health services

Using this guide

The routes

1 Central Zagori

Walk 1 The round of the stone bridges

Walk 2 Kipi to Dilofo and Vitsa

Walk 3 Kipi to Kapesovo and Missios Bridge

Walk 4 Kipi to Tsepelovo and Kapesovo

Walk 5 The Vradeto staircase and Beloi viewpoint

Walk 6 Vikaki (Selato) Gorge

Walk 7 Mt Mitsikeli

Walk 8 Iliochori waterfalls

2 Vikos Gorge and vicinity

Walk 9 Vikos Gorge crossing

Walk 10 Oxia viewpoint

Walk 11 Voidomatis Springs and Theotokos Monastery

Walk 12 Voidomatis Gorge crossing

Walk 13 Kokkino Lithari viewpoint

Walk 14 Papigo villages and Ovires Rogovou natural pools

Trek 1 An alternative approach to the Vikos Gorge

3 Mt Timfi

Walk 15 Astraka Refuge and Drakolimni Lake

Walk 16 Robozi Lake

Walk 17 Gamila summit

Walk 18 Astraka summit

Walk 19 The round of Astraka

Walk 20 The Davalista trail (Astraka Refuge to Konitsa)

Walk 21 Astraka Refuge to Konitsa or Vrisochori over the Karteros Pass

Walk 22 Tsepelovo to Vrisochori traverse

Trek 2 The ultimate Zagori trek

4 Konitsa and Mt Smolikas

Walk 23 Mt Trapezitsa and Roidovouni Peak

Walk 24 Stomiou Monastery

Walk 25 Konitsa to Vrisochori traverse

Walk 26 Pades to Drakolimni of Smolikas Lake

Trek 3 The classic ascent to the Dragonlake of Smolikas

5 Valia Calda National Park and Metsovo

Walk 27 Valia Calda National Park

Walk 28 Avgo Peak

Walk 29 The Flega Lakes

Walk 30 Following the footprints of the brown bear in Metsovo

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Useful contacts and other practical information

Appendix C English-Greek glossary and expressions

Appendix D Further reading

Updates

We do not yet have any updates available for this book

We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).

Reviews

A very good guide to Zagori

Zagori is one of the last relatively unexplored and virgin hiking destinations of Europe with enchanting landscapes, gorges, amazing forests, rivers with crystal turquoise waters, rugged alpine peaks and picturesque mountain villages.

We were happy to receive a very good guide to Zagori: The book “Walking and Trekking in Zagori” by Aris Leontaritis is a great help for those who want to explore and unlock the secrets of this beautiful mountainous area of Greece.

Containing 5 key chapters (Central Zagori, Vikos Gorge, Mount Tymphi, Konitsa - Smolikas and Valia Kalda - Metsovo), the book presents 30 different hiking and 3 trekking trails in the wonderful nature of the area, with its old stone bridges, traditional villages, old monasteries and the legends that surround them.

You will also find information on geology, flora and fauna and the weather conditions prevailing in Zagorochoria. And of course, accessing info, accommodation and food information so you have everything you need to fully enjoy your visit to Zagori.

The guide is very well organized, presenting all the points of interest of each route, framed by very beautiful photos. The trails cover all the hiking desires and possibilities: from easy walks of 2.5 km to very demanding 45 km hikes.

For each route you will find detailed information, distances, ascents and descents, the degree of difficulty, the times required for completion, points of interest and maps of the paths and regions.

The book will help you explore Voidomatis, Vikos Gorge, Mikro and Megalo Papigo, Monodendri, Aristi, Kipi, Elafotopos and all the remarkable locations of Zagori.

GPX files available for free download are also available for all routes.

Thomas Biziouras, Greek Adventure.com

I unreservedly recommend this guidebook.

This has all the qualities one expects from a Cicerone Guidebook: handy pocket-size, excellent route-maps and photographs, concise and clear route descriptions. Add to that the words of an author who clearly knows the region well and has a personal affinity with both its natural wonders and unique cultural history and the result is exemplary. It is a guidebook worthy of the region it describes, one of the great and little known natural treasures of Europe. As someone who has visited the region many times during forty years I unreservedly recommend this guidebook.

Michael, by email.

Downloads

Walking and Trekking in Zagori - GPX File

By Aris Leontaritis

Aris Leontaritis was born in Athens, where he studied and worked as a mechanical engineer for a few years before his love for the mountains and their nature inspired him to change direction. Already connected with the region of Epirus as a visitor, he moved to Metsovo to participate in a postgraduate program on the development prospects of mountainous regions, with respect to the preservation of local identity, culture and environment.

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