Vikos–Aoös National Park

Nature & adventure

Drive to Trekking Hellas rafting base in Klidonia, on the main road from Aristi village to Papingo village. There, the rafting team will welcome at 10:00am and provide you with the necessary safety equipment. When ready, a minibus will transfer you to the starting location, the bridge of Aristi-Papigo. During the transfer you will have impressive views of Mt. Tymphi, Astraka towers and Papigo villages. A safety briefing will follow, some river practice and off you go! During the descent, you will stop for optional refreshing dives in Voidomatis' crystal clear waters and visit the deserted 16th-century Agioi Anargyroi monastery. On the final part of the experience, you will paddle under Klidonia stone bridge's artificial waterfalls. The descent finishes shortly after Klidonia’s bridge just below Trekking Hellas rafting base. One thing is certain; by the time you reach the end, at approximately 13:00pm, you’ll wish you could start all over again!

We start our 2-hour descent at the Aristi Bridge after we get ourselves fully equipped with specialized rafting equipment. No previous rafting experience needed, the river being Class II. We slide and wade through some of the clearest (and coldest) waters in Europe, through pristine nature shone by Oriental plane trees in a place seeped in history. It was the place of a late Ice Age (actually 17.500-9.500 years ago) where hunters’ settlement that dominated the area, the seat of various monasteries and the site of a murder that plunged the area in a deadly blood feud that lasted for years and destroyed a prosperous village in the process. At the end of the ride we pass below the stone Klidonia bridge (last rebuilt in 1853) and then hop over an artificial dam that creates an exciting rapid. Alpine Zone staff will be waiting for you at the Alpine Zone base, offering traditional syrup sweets, water and washing room/changing room facilities.

Vikos gorge is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Greece. The gorge consists of limestone and dolomite formations dating back to 150 million years ago and vertical walls extending up to a height of 1700 m. The hike starts from Monodendri village with a 45-minute descent towards the river bed. The trail is ascending and descending surrounded by steep mountain tops and dense forests of deciduous trees and 1800 plant species. Before ascending to Vikos village, visit the Voidomati Springs, Greece's cleanest and coldest river, with an average all year temperature of 8.5°C. If you are brave you might want to try the experience of a very refreshing dive in the crystal clear waters during summer months. The hike finishes at Vikos village, after a 1-hour ascent from the Voidomatis springs.

Meet in the center of Kipoi village and set off on the hiking trail with your guide. Discover a vast network of ancient footpaths of the Zagori region, which were built to connect its 46 villages in previous centuries. Cross several impressive stone bridges of the area, built in the 17th-18th century and which are usually known by the name of the benefactor who paid for their construction. Arrive at the picturesque village of Koukouli. Visit a small museum with a selection of specimens of rare flora from the Vikos gorge. Discover rare plant collections that grow on the canyon’s rocks and learn about the ‘Doctors of Vikos’. Next, walk back towards the village of Kipoi, following the very old stone path of Koukouli, also known as the ‘Koukouli Steps’. Finish the hike back in the center of the village.

Vikos Gorge has been designated as a world geopark by UNESCO. We start from Aristi or Papigko Bridge in northwestern Zagori where we will enjoy an easy route for all in the third part of the Vikos gorge which is a part of Vikos – Aoos National Park since 1973 The route is accessible all year, and from May up to September is the best season to swim in the crystal waters The name of the river Voidomatis comes from Slavic language (Bode–Mat which translates "good water") During the trail we observe the unique monastery of Spiliotissa, built on a rock and we visit the old church of Agioi Anargyroi which was built in 1658 The route ends to Kleidonia single arched stone bridge, which was built in 1853 in order to connect the locals from the villages Agios Minas and Aristi towards to Konitsa plain, and also people from Konitsa town towards Ioannina city. At the end of the activity visitors can enjoy a meal with traditional recipes of the area beside the river