Zagori: Astrakas

After your arrival in Ioannina airport or bus station you will take a taxi to Papingo. You can prebook a taxi with your booking if you prefer. During the last part of the ride, the road ascends through a series of impressive hairpin bends. Your overnight stay is in the village center in a traditional mansion. 

TIP: book an additional night in Papigno allowing an additional round walk via the view point of Kokkino Lithari, Mikro Papingo and the Kolymbithres. 

It is a very pleasant hike from Papingo to the village of Ano Klidonia: there are long stretches with a nearly flat and easy trail - and meanwhile you can fully enjoy the beautiful views of the valley and the Towers of Astraka. You descend to the arched bridge near the village Kato Klidonia (Ano = up; Kato = low) from where you enter the valley of the Voidomatis River. The path along the river is mostly flat and walking under the plane trees is very pleasant. Your walk ends at the Aristi bridge. You have to arrange a transfer back to Papingo via the hotelier and pay him on the spot. 

Challenge: 16,5 km, ascend 320m, descend 800m. 6 hours

You take a few items (and a sleeping bag liner) with you to make the 2 days hike across the high Astrakas plateau. Via Mikro Papingo you climb the 1000m up on an excellent path to the Astrakas Hut. After lunch at or near the refuge, you walk further up through captivating alpine scenery until the ‘Dragon Lake, situated at 2.050 m. The Dragons in the name refer to the Alpine newts living abundantly in the lake. At the opposite site of the lake you have a breath-taking view over the Aoos Valley, deep down below. 

Challenge: 14 km, ascend 1400m, descend 420m. 6hours

You leave the Astrakas Hut behind and walk across alpine meadows between the peaks Astraka and Gamila. This area is home to livestock and chamois. Further south you descend to the gorge Megas Lakos (‘great pit’), a very deep gorge that ends up on the Vikos gorge and measures more than 600m in depth! A final descent takes you to Tsepelovo where your luggage is waiting for you. Time to relax at the cozy village square. 

Challenge: 13,5 km, ascend 400m, descend 1250m. 5 hours

On this last walking day of the trip, you will make a great and beautiful hike along some of the high lights of this region. You first ascend to a higher plain and then follow an old cobbled foot path to the viewpoint Beloi, said to offer the best views over the Vikos gorge. In the small village Vradeto, you find a small village square with traditional café. The village is well-known for its ‘Vradeto steps’, a steep zigzagging paved path between Vradeto and Kapesovo. After a stop in Kapesovo you descend through shadowed forest to the Vikos river and follow the river until you reach Kipi. Don’t forget to visit some of the stone arched bridges, such as the unique three-arched bridge Plakida. 

Challenge: 17,1km, ascend 750m, descend 1100m. 6 hours

After breakfast your arrangement comes to an end. You travel to Ioannina bus station or airport for outbound or onward travel. You can optionally prebook your departure transfer. 

Tip 1: book an extra night in Kipi and explore the 
bridges around Kipi. 
Tip 2: It is possible to extend your trip by booking our trip GRSW044 Zagori: Vikos. The trip becomes then 12 days. Because the hikes of the Vikos trip are easier than of the Astrakas trip, we advise to do first the Vikos trip and then the Astrakas trip.