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 by Aris Leontaritis 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.
The contents of the book:
- 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
- 1 Central Zagori
- Appendix A Route summary table
- Appendix B Useful contacts and other practical information
- Appendix C English-Greek glossary and expressions
- Appendix D Further reading
You can purchase the book “Walking and Trekking in Zagori” by Aris Leontaritris via the Cicerone Publishing online at https://www.cicerone.co.uk/walking-and-trekking-in-zagori. It is available in printed and online form, the first one costing about 18 euros and the second costing 9,90 euros.
