Greece: Zagoria and Mt. Olympus

A hidden world of traditional Greece is found in Zagoria, where thousand-year-old stone villages are perched above the dramatic Vikos Gorge in the craggy Pindos Mountains. Here the 21st century does not yet intrude, and on shepherd’s paths and in tiny village squares, a bygone way of rural Greek life lives on. Our village hikes follow trails along the Vikos Gorge, with its silvery olive groves, soaring arched bridges, crystal-clear springs, and 17th century stone staircases. We then head to the spectacular monasteries of Meteora for a hike up to these airy sanctuaries, built atop towering rock peaks. Our grand finale is a climb of Mt. Olympus (9,600'), storied home of the gods, where we can gaze out over the ancient world from the abode of Zeus, ruler of the sky.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Days 1-2
Ioannina / Zagoria

From Ioannina, we head north into Zagoria and begin with a hike to the hilltop village of Vradeto (4,700'), the highest in the region, then Beloi, where we feast our eyes on our first splendid views of the Vikos Gorge. The amazing Vradeto Stairs, built in the 17th century, bring us to Kapesovo, a great place to taste the local herb-infused cuisine and regional wine.

Days 3-4
Vitsa / Kipi

Spectacular 10th century stone bridges of double and even triple arches span the sheer Vikos Gorge. We cross them on our hike up to delightful Vitsa, with its cascade of stone houses and village square shaded by a huge plane tree. The next day, the Paliogefiro bridge leads us to the handsome village of Kipi.

Days 5-6
Voidhomatis Springs / Papingo

Hiking along the river in the Vikos Gorge, we can stop for a swim in a gorgeous natural spring before we ascend to Papingo, a truly spectacular village overlooking the entire length of the gorge. The trail to Astraka takes us past gleaming Dragon Lake (6,800'), set on the edge of a cliff on one of the high peaks of the Pindos.

Days 7-8
Dodona / Meteora / Litochoro

After we explore the sanctuary of Dodona, the oldest of the Greek oracles, we head for magnificent Meteora, where medieval monasteries are perched atop towering rock pinnacles. We hike in this surreal landscape, then continue on to Litochoro, gateway for Olympus climbs.

Days 9-11
Spilio Agapitos Refuge / Mt. Olympus

We climb soaring Mount Olympus, ascending trails through the forest then above the treeline to the Spilio Agapitos Refuge (7,200'). The next morning, we rise early to hike to the rocky summit at 9,600 feet, a fitting abode for the gods. After enjoying this peak where Zeus once hurled his thunderbolts, we descend and depart on Day 11 via Thessaloniki.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 4+. It features daily hikes, with accommodations in hotels and simple pensions. Hikes vary from 3-5 hours a day at altitudes of 3,000 to 9,403 feet (the summit of Skala peak on Olympus). Although you carry only a daypack on the hikes, there are many steep ascents and descents and there are some sections that cross rough or rocky trails. For your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition for the trip. Regular hiking or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym are excellent preparatory exercises. You should wear sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots for maximum comfort on the trail. Please note that in Greece, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 9:00 PM.

Explanation of Trip Levels