Vlaxostrata - the crossing of North Pindos

Vlaxostrata - the crossing of North Pindos

An incredible experience!

ACTIVE PERIOD
The program is implemented once a year
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
3
DURATION
6 days
Vlaxostrata - the crossing of North Pindos
Price from €570
PRICE FROM € 570 - DECLARE INTEREST

Overview

Embark on a wonderful journey through untouched nature, mountain paths, and traditional villages in this unspoiled region of Greece!

This 6-day hiking crossing of North Pindos is a unique experience that takes you through the Vlach villages and mountain pastures of Grevena for an authentic acquaintance with the place.

Our route begins from the village of Krania, located a short distance from Metsovo, and ends at the famous village of Samarina, the highest village in Greece and one of the most important Vlach villages, situated at an altitude of 1450 meters. The prefecture of Grevena, in addition to its rich virgin nature, has five Vlach villages (Krania, Perivoli, Avdella, Smixi, Samarina) perched on the slopes of Smolika, overlooking the top of Vasilitsa, at altitudes of over 1000 meters.

The Vlachostrata - The Crossing of North Pindos program is designed for travelers who seek deep contact with the culture and essential exploration of each place and want to discover the hidden beauties of Pindos through unique hiking trails in nature.

Day 1
Krania
Day 2
Vlachomilia - Arkoudorema (12km)
Day 3
Arkoudorema - Egg 2.177m - Diza - Perivoli (13km)
Day 4
Perivoli - Vasilitsa 2249m - EOOA1880 (13km)
Day 5
EOAA - Samarina 1450m (9km)
Day 6
Romiou 1700m - Smolika 2637m - Gorgiulios (20km)

Activities / Schedule

Krania - bridges & waterfalls of Buluvaros

At 3:00 PM, we will meet at Krania village for a warm welcome.

At 5:30 PM, we will visit the stone bridges of the village and the Boulouvaros waterfalls.

At 8:00 PM, there will be a briefing on the crossing, where we will check the necessary and appropriate equipment of the participants. Additionally, we will pick up breakfast and lunch snacks for the next day in individual portions.

You may choose to spend the night in hotels in the area or in tents at a specific place that we will indicate.

Vlachomilia - Arkoudorema (12km)

At 7:15 AM, we will depart from the village of Krania with the company's vehicles to Vlachomilia, which is about 9 kilometers away. From there, we will follow the path for the ascent to the gap of Saliatoura Milia and then move downhill to the core of the Pindos National Park Valia Kalda. We will pitch our tents near Arkoudorema to spend the night. Here, we can enjoy a unique landscape with towering black pine trees and cool dips in the Arkoudorema! We will also learn about the flora and fauna of the National Park through a very interesting guided tour.

At 8:00 PM, we will have our evening meal and pick up the morning and lunch snacks for the next day.

The hiking route for the day is 12 kilometers, with a positive altitude of +500 and a negative altitude of -350. The estimated duration is around 4 hours.

Arkoudorema - Egg 2.177m - Diza - Perivoli (13km)

At 8:00 AM, after breakfast, we will begin our hike from the core of the park and make the ascent to the peak of Avgo (2177m), which dominates above the village of Perivoli. From the peak, we will descend to the point of Diza, with the final destination being the village of Perivoli. We will reach the village in the afternoon, where we can enjoy coffee or refreshments in their large central square and chat with the villagers. We will spend the night in a guesthouse in the village.

At 8:00 PM, we will have dinner in the village square with local meats and pick up breakfast and lunch snacks for the next day.

The hiking route for the day is 13 kilometers, with a positive altitude of +800 and a negative altitude of -650. The estimated duration is around 6 hours.

Perivoli - Avdella - Vasilitsa 2249m - EOOA 1880 (13km)

At 8:00 AM, after breakfast, we will follow the forest road that will lead us just outside the village of Avdella, another village of Grevena, located on the border of the National Park. Avdella is the hometown of the Manakia brothers, Miltos and Giannis, who were the first Greek filmmakers, and their busts are located in the central square of the village. It is worth stopping under the dew of the large plane tree in the village square. We will follow the path outside the village that will lead us to the top of Vasilitsa (2249m) and descend to the shelter of the Ski Club of Grevena on the opposite side of Mount Gomara. We will pass between the facilities of the National Ski Centre. The overnight stay will be at the shelter of the Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing (EOOA) at 1880m. A quiet evening awaits us with an impressive view of the valley of Grevena and the sky that is clearly visible at this altitude without light pollution! If the weather permits, we will also have a pleasant surprise - to observe the stars and planets with a telescope with the assistance of the local club.

At 8:00 PM, we will have our evening meal with an outdoor BBQ.

The hiking route for the day is 13 kilometers, with a positive altitude of +980 and a negative altitude of -450. The estimated duration is around 6 hours.

EOOA - Samarina 1450m (9km)

At 7:30 AM, after breakfast, we will move west behind the Gomara peak, where a few Wild Geese are staying, to meet the path coming from the village of Distrato that will lead us to Samarina. Samarina is the highest village in Greece and the Balkans, and one of the most important villages, built on the eastern slopes of Smolika at an altitude of 1450m. Today's route will be easier without much altitude and long distance. It is an opportunity to spend more time in the village where we will stay overnight so that we can visit the village churches built since 1713, talk to the locals, and listen to the Vlach (Latin dialect) from the village elders.

At 8:00 PM, we will have dinner at the village taverns with traditional dishes and spend the night at the village guesthouses.

The hiking route for the day is 9 kilometers, with a positive altitude of +300 and a negative altitude of -450. The estimated duration is around 4 ½ hours.

Romiou 1700m - Smolika 2637m - Gorgiulios (20km)

At 6:00 AM, today's wake-up call will be much earlier in the morning than usual. We will be transported by company vehicles to a distance of about 20 minutes from the village and start walking from Romiou (1700m). We will hike uphill to the first peak, Mosia, and continue to the second peak, Gero-Smolika (2637m), the second highest peak in Greece. We will return by the same path to the middle of the route and from there (position Gorgulios), we will reach the village. This is where the long crossing of the North Pindos and the end of Vlachostrata will end.

The hiking route for the day is 20 kilometers, with a positive altitude of +800 and a negative altitude of -1050. The estimated duration is around 12 hours.

Important Info

In a glance

Highlights

  • Cross part of the Pindos National Park, Valia Kalda
  • Experience an authentic acquaintance with the place and the Vlachochochoria
  • Ascend to the second highest peak of Greece, Smolika at 2,637m
  • Enjoy unique landscapes of immeasurable aesthetic and environmental value
  • Cover a distance of 67km and ascent 3,380m

Fixed Departures

  • 29 September - 4 October 2024 (Sold out)

General information

We will start our journey from the village of Krania, located between the city of Grevena and Metsovo. The village is surrounded by oak and black pine forests, and boasts impressive stone bridges. On our way, we will also visit the stunning Boulouvaros Waterfalls. Our next stop will be Vlachomilia, from where we will begin our hike to the core of the Pindos National Park, Valia Kalda. We will spend the night near Arkoudorema, where we can enjoy the towering black pine trees and take refreshing dips in the Arkoudorema. During a guided tour, we will learn about the flora and fauna of the National Park.

After ascending to Avgo peak (2177m), we will visit the charming village of Perivoli, nestled on one of the green slopes of Pindos at an altitude of 1380m. We will then move on to Avdella, the hometown of the Manakia brothers, who were the first Greek filmmakers. The central square of the village is adorned with their busts, and there are several ouzeri and cafés where we can enjoy steaming coffee and local delicacies. From Avdella, we will follow the path and climb to the top of Vasilitsa (2249m), cross the ski resort, and reach the HOSG shelter at 1880m. Here, we can enjoy a serene evening with a breathtaking view of the Grevena valley and the clear night sky, unaffected by light pollution.

Our journey will end in Samarina, the highest village in the Balkans, located at an altitude of 1450m on the slopes of Smolika. The village is nestled amidst dense forests, and boasts abundant water sources. The landmark church of Panagia, with its evergreen pine tree rooted in the sanctuary, is a must-see. We cannot miss the opportunity to ascend to Geros-Smolika (2637m), which offers the most beautiful view of the valley of Aoos and the heart-shaped Drakolimni. We will first approach the peaks of Mosia and then cross the ridge, where we will be treated to breathtaking views of Tymfi and the towers of Astraka.

Equipment

Vlaxostrata - the crossing of North Pindos

An incredible experience!

Price from €570

DECLARE INTEREST

FAQs

What should I bring with me?

  • What is listed above in Equipment section

What's the meeting point & time?

Meeting Point: Krania village, Grevena

Time: 15.00pm

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