Pindos Mountains Horseshoe Trail Hike (Partially Guided)

ACTIVE PERIOD: May - October
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: 3

DURATION: 8 days

Pindos Mountains Horseshoe Trail Hike (Partially Guided)

Price from €1041

Overview

The Pindos Horseshoe Trail is one of the most iconic multi-day hiking experiences in Greece, set in the heart of the stunning Zagori region.

On this partially guided version, you’ll experience the trail exactly as it’s meant to be: on foot, step by step, village to village, with the support of an experienced guide throughout your hiking days.

Each morning, you meet your guide at your accommodation and begin your hike directly from the village. The trail connects traditional stone villages, alpine landscapes, and the breathtaking Vikos Gorge, one of the deepest canyons in the world.

As you move through Zagori, your luggage is transferred for you to the next destination, allowing you to hike freely with just a daypack. You arrive on foot at your next guesthouse, where your bags are already waiting.

Each day offers a different perspective: walk through the picturesque villages of Papingo and Mikro Papingo, hike along mountain paths with panoramic views, and immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the Pindos National Park, enriched by your guide’s local knowledge and support.

Over the course of 8 days, you’ll experience a perfectly balanced journey of challenge, discovery, and comfort combining immersive hiking with seamless organisation.

All you need to do is follow the trail and enjoy the journey.

This program is also available as a Self Guided and Fully Guided experience.

Day 1: Arrival in Ioannina & Transfer to Vitsa
Day 2: Vitsa - Koukouli/Kipi - Monodendri
Day 3: Vikos gorge hike
Day 4: Papingo hike
Day 5: Mt. Timfi / Dragonlake hike
Day 6: Astraka Mt. hut to Tsepelovo
Day 7: Tsepelovo to Kipi
Day 8: Departure from Kipi

Activities / Schedule

Arrival in Ioannina & Transfer to Vitsa

Arrival at Ioannina Airport and transfer to Vitsa village.

Settle into your guesthouse and explore the village at your own pace.

Driving Duration: 40 minutes
Overnight: Vitsa

Vitsa - Koukouli/Kipi - Monodendri

Meet your guide at your accommodation and begin your hike directly from the village.

Descend via the Vitsa Steps into the Vikos Gorge area, cross traditional stone bridges, and ascend towards Koukouli. Continue towards Kipi and through forest paths to Dilofo before reaching Monodendri on foot.

Your luggage will be transferred to your next accommodation.

Hiking Duration: 6–7 hours
Distance: 13 km / 8 miles
Ascent: 645m /2116 ft | Descent: 645m /2116 ft

Overnight: Monodendri

Vikos gorge hike

Meet your guide and start one of the most impressive hikes of the journey.

Descend into Vikos Gorge, follow the riverbed through the National Park, and experience the scale and wild beauty of the canyon. Your guide shares insights into the landscape, wildlife, and history of the area.

A final ascent leads you to Vikos village.

Luggage is transferred ahead of you.

Hiking Duration: 6–7 hours
Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
Ascent: 791m /2595 ft | Descent: 1091m/3579 ft

Overnight: Vikos village

Papingo hike

Meet your guide and continue your journey towards Mikro Papingo.

Descend to the Voidomatis springs and hike along the gorge’s north-west side, with panoramic views and varied terrain. Arrive on foot at Mikro Papingo. Free afternoon to relax or swim at Rogovo natural pools.

Hiking Duration: 4 hours
Distance: 5.7 km / 3.5 miles
Ascent: 811 m /2660 ft | Descent: 599 m/1965 ft

Overnight: Mikro Papingo

Mt. Timfi / Dragonlake hike

Depart from Mikro Papingo with your guide towards the high alpine zone of Mount Tymfi.

Reach Astraka Refuge and continue to the Dragon Lake at 2050m altitude. The scenery opens up to impressive alpine landscapes and panoramic views across the Pindos range.

Return to the refuge for the night.

Hiking Duration: 6–7 hours
Distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles
Ascent: 1368 m /4488 ft | Descent: 425 m/1394 ft

Overnight: Mountain refuge

Astraka Mt. hut to Tsepelovo

Meet your guide and cross the Tymfi mountain range.

Descend into alpine meadows, pass traditional shepherd areas, and continue towards Tsepelovo village. Arrive on foot at your accommodation, where your luggage is already waiting.

Hiking Duration: 7 hours
Distance: 12.5 km / 7.7 miles
Ascent: 383 m /1256 ft | Descent: 1222 m/4009 ft

Overnight: Tsepelovo

Tsepelovo to Kipi

Meet your guide for your final hiking day.

Follow traditional cobblestone paths towards Vradeto, visit Beloi viewpoint with panoramic views over Vikos Gorge, and descend via the historic Vradeto Steps to Kipi. End your hiking journey arriving on foot at your final destination.

Hiking Duration: 8 hours
Distance: 14.7 km / 9.13 miles
Ascent: 816 m /2677 ft | Descent: 744 m/2440 ft

Overnight: Kipi

Departure from Kipi

After breakfast, transfer back to Ioannina.

End of your journey in Zagori.

Important Info

In a glance

CURRENCY: €
TIMEZONE: UTC+02:00 (EET)

Highlights

Hike village to village with your guide
No transfers during the hiking days, the experience unfolds entirely on foot
Luggage transfers throughout the trip
Cross Vikos Gorge with expert guidance
Explore Zagori’s most iconic villages
Experience Dragon Lake & alpine landscapes
Seamless organisation with local support

Designed for travellers who want guidance without losing the authentic hiking experience.

Price

1.041€/person for 8 participants
1.116€/person for 6-7 participants
1.317€/person for 4-5 participants
1.918€/person for 2-3 participants

General Information

Trekking Hellas offers and array of hikes and active experiences all over Greece. Our team also creates tailor made tours and activities, so feel free to contact us if your preferences and needs are not met by our programs. We will help you design the prefect vacation for you!

Note

This partially guided program is designed to offer a continuous hiking experience, with no vehicle use during the activity days.

Participants meet their guide daily at their accommodation and complete each route entirely on foot, while luggage is transferred separately.

Ream more

Accommodation in double rooms in traditional guesthouses (6 nights) and shared berths in mountain hut (1 night)
Meals as mentioned in the program
Professional Trekking Hellas guide during hiking activities
Transfers (arrival & departure only)
Luggage transfers between accommodations
Full organisation & local support
VAT

Rescue services or medical expenses if needed
Unexpected accommodation costs due to weather or delays
Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks /beverages during meals
Anything not mentioned in the inclusions

Equipment

Please try to travel as light as possible; remember that you must carry everything you bring on all the days’ walk.

Large, comfortable rucksack (40 – 50 liters) with padded straps and waist belt, internal frame preferred; waterproof liner recommended keeping clothing, etc. dry inside.
Sturdy, worn in trekking shoes.
Good waterproof top with hood.
Warm clothes, both for windy / cold daytime conditions and for the cool evenings (fleece tops or similar).
Shorts and long trousers for walking, preferably quick-drying material (cotton or poly-cotton not denim).
Sweatshirts or T-shirts for walking, at least one with long sleeves and collar (against sunburn).
Sheet sleeping bag or similar (e.g. duvet cover), for the overnights in the refuge, although blankets will be available.
Sunglasses, towel, sun hat or cap, sun block.
Your own personal water bottle. As part of our environmental policy and actions, we are committed to eliminating the use of plastic water bottles.
Wash bag and simple first aid kit (plasters or blister kit, aspirin or similar, antiseptic).
Photographers: bring your cameras.
Walking sticks.

Reviews

This is the 3rd time my family has used the service of Trekking Hellas at various areas in Greece. All 3 times the service was excellent.

On this trip, my son and I engaged their services for for 7 days in the Zagori region for private hiking, mountain biking and canyoning activities.

Scheduling the activities was very easy. I described the activities we wanted and the type of terrain and difficulty we enjoyed. They suggested the Zagori region of Greece and then took care of everything else. They arranged the activities, driver, guide, hotels and meals. From the moment their driver (Kostas) picked us up at the Ioannina airport to the moment his partner dropped us back at the airport 8 days later, they handled everything.

Our guide (Makis) could not have been better suited to our “go-go” personalities. He was calm and fun, with a fitness level that was impressive. He was able to adjust plans based on the weather or our desires on a moment’s notice. For example, we finished canyoning early one afternoon. As we were near the Albanian border, I mentioned driving their for a quick sightseeing trip. He quickly arranged with an Albanian counterpart to meet us in an Albanian town for a quick tour and meal. We jumped in Makis’ car and headed for the border. We had a wonderful late afternoon visit in the Albanian town and were back in Greece by that night.

Regarding lodging, I was very specific in the type of lodging we wanted. Trekking Hellas really listened and found perfect lodging in Vitsa (Zagori Suites) and Papigko. When the hotel in Papigko made a mistake on our reservations, Makis’ wife jumped into action and found us alternative lodging (Pantheon Hotel) on a moment’s notice.

The true sign of a professional company (Trekking Hellas) and employees (Makis) is how they handle complicated logistics and unexpected issues with grace and timeliness. They made our entire trip seamless and a blast.

Regarding cost, they offer tremendous value for the personalized service we required. We like to work with companies and people who can arrange everything for us and then be flexible as our needs/wants change. Trekking Hellas and Makis were just that.

Highly recommend.

Great Company, Professional Guides & Personal Service

My husband and I have been hiking European mtn. ranges as birthday/anniversary treats each year and this year's Trip to Greece wins the day! Glorious vistas, crunchy fresh Greek Salads, hot bean soup, laughter and heartwarming conversations. Not only was our planning experience premiere with hosts/planning guides from Trekking...their time and attention to planning accommodations, food, taxis, hiking routes, emergency availability...you name it, they had it nailed down. They were courteous, timely, personable, and had expansive knowledge on the region and its details. We all feel like family now and hope we can be as great a host to them, should any make it here to Texas one day! We have only been home 2 weeks and are ready to go back! #bestexperience

TREKKING Hellas - MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCE!