Traveling guide to Ano Pedina and Zagori
Sightseeing
Although almost deserted, Dilofo is perhaps one of the most beautiful village of Zagori. Hidden in an oak forest, it is worth strolling through the stone cobblestone streets to see the traditional architecture of the houses. From the quaint veranda of "Lithos" -an exceptional place with food and drinks- you will have a view of the church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Anagnostopouleio School and the mountain of Tymfi, which rises in the background. After the coffee, go down to the village square. The trunk of the elderly plane tree has opened in two, forming an impressive natural embrace.
> "Lithos", phone : 2653022600
Dilofo
Although almost deserted, Dilofo is perhaps one of the most beautiful village of Zagori. Hidden in an oak forest, it is worth strolling through the stone cobblestone streets to see the traditional architecture of the houses. From the quaint veranda of "Lithos" -an exceptional place with food and drinks- you will have a view of the church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Anagnostopouleio School and the mountain of Tymfi, which rises in the background. After the coffee, go down to the village square. The trunk of the elderly plane tree has opened in two, forming an impressive natural embrace.
> "Lithos", phone : 2653022600
15 minutes by car from Ano Pedina or 1 and a half hour walk through a hiking trail
One of the nicest villages of the area (altitude 1,060 m) From the main square next to the Agios Athanathios church a cobblestone trail leeds 800 m downhill to the Convent of Agia Paraskevi(15th century). The small church is nestled between rocks in fantastic nature on the edge of the Vikos Gorge. Vikos is listed as the deepest gorge in the world by the Guinness Book of Records with a length of about 20 km, depth ranging from 120 to 490 m, and a width ranging from 400 m to only a few meters at its narrowest part. Leaving Monodendri on the west side, the road leads to the Stone Forest after about 5km. Stones are naturally located horizontally on top of each other forming well worth seeing groups of stone pillars. If you continue another 2km further you will make your way to Oxia viewpoint where you can see Vikos Canyon. It’s another “must see” location due to the fantastic outlook.
12 moradores locais recomendam
Monodendri
15 minutes by car from Ano Pedina or 1 and a half hour walk through a hiking trail
One of the nicest villages of the area (altitude 1,060 m) From the main square next to the Agios Athanathios church a cobblestone trail leeds 800 m downhill to the Convent of Agia Paraskevi(15th century). The small church is nestled between rocks in fantastic nature on the edge of the Vikos Gorge. Vikos is listed as the deepest gorge in the world by the Guinness Book of Records with a length of about 20 km, depth ranging from 120 to 490 m, and a width ranging from 400 m to only a few meters at its narrowest part. Leaving Monodendri on the west side, the road leads to the Stone Forest after about 5km. Stones are naturally located horizontally on top of each other forming well worth seeing groups of stone pillars. If you continue another 2km further you will make your way to Oxia viewpoint where you can see Vikos Canyon. It’s another “must see” location due to the fantastic outlook.
23 minutes by car from Ano Pedina
the very popular traditional village (altitude 800 m) is worth seeing especially due to the more than 5 spectacular old stone bridges from 1 to 3 arcs around the village. The bridges are signposted and close to the road
6 moradores locais recomendam
Kipoi
23 minutes by car from Ano Pedina
the very popular traditional village (altitude 800 m) is worth seeing especially due to the more than 5 spectacular old stone bridges from 1 to 3 arcs around the village. The bridges are signposted and close to the road
Papingo (altitude 960 m) and the upper Mikro Papingo are very popular typical "must see" stone build villages in a fantastic mountainous surrounding. Before you reach the villages via a narrow winding road, you cross a mountain river,the Voidomatis River. From a parking lot at the bridge you can reach many places along the river that invite you for a picnic in the beautiful surroundings. This is the perfect place to rest at hot summer days. Another attraction are the Papingo Rock Pools which are situated between the two Papigos.You can even dive in early summer. Late summer there might be no water depending on the weather. The formations in the rocks are truly beautiful and it is a lovely place to cool off and have a picnic. In Papigo there is also a stable that offers horse ridings with no previous experience needed. Informations on +30 697 7011275 or 2653042204, www.white-pegasus.com
14 moradores locais recomendam
Papingo
Papingo (altitude 960 m) and the upper Mikro Papingo are very popular typical "must see" stone build villages in a fantastic mountainous surrounding. Before you reach the villages via a narrow winding road, you cross a mountain river,the Voidomatis River. From a parking lot at the bridge you can reach many places along the river that invite you for a picnic in the beautiful surroundings. This is the perfect place to rest at hot summer days. Another attraction are the Papingo Rock Pools which are situated between the two Papigos.You can even dive in early summer. Late summer there might be no water depending on the weather. The formations in the rocks are truly beautiful and it is a lovely place to cool off and have a picnic. In Papigo there is also a stable that offers horse ridings with no previous experience needed. Informations on +30 697 7011275 or 2653042204, www.white-pegasus.com
Sport
The main attraction of the village is the Monastery of Panagia Spileotisas (16th century), built in a beautiful location near a bridge of the Ottoman era on the Voidomati river that forms the gorges of Vikos. The church stands near the entrance to a cave.
Beneath the Aristi's bridge, around eleven in the morning, rafting teams head for Kleidonia. The route of crystal clear waters is approximately 5 km, lasts 75 minutes and costs 35 euros per person. It is a unique experience, suitable for beginners > «Alpine Zone», information on +302651023222, www.alpinezone.gr
9 moradores locais recomendam
Aristi, Ioannina
The main attraction of the village is the Monastery of Panagia Spileotisas (16th century), built in a beautiful location near a bridge of the Ottoman era on the Voidomati river that forms the gorges of Vikos. The church stands near the entrance to a cave.
Beneath the Aristi's bridge, around eleven in the morning, rafting teams head for Kleidonia. The route of crystal clear waters is approximately 5 km, lasts 75 minutes and costs 35 euros per person. It is a unique experience, suitable for beginners > «Alpine Zone», information on +302651023222, www.alpinezone.gr
It is a beautiful alpine lake at 2100m reachable by a demanding hike from Papingo. It takes around 3h from the village to the Astraka refuge and another 1.30h to the lake. The route to the lake is a bit easier than to the refuge. As it is a rather long walk for one day it is advisable to stay at the refuge overnight. The view at each point of the climbing is stunning
15 moradores locais recomendam
Drakolimni Lake of Tymfi
It is a beautiful alpine lake at 2100m reachable by a demanding hike from Papingo. It takes around 3h from the village to the Astraka refuge and another 1.30h to the lake. The route to the lake is a bit easier than to the refuge. As it is a rather long walk for one day it is advisable to stay at the refuge overnight. The view at each point of the climbing is stunning
Conselho para os viajantes
Não perca
What to eat
A speciality of the area are Pittas, which are pies filled with cheese (Tiropita), Spinach (Spanakopita), wild greenstuff (Hortopita), pumpkin (Kolokothopita - which can be either sweet or salty) and others. Also try goat and sheep meat of the area. The meat has very good taste because it's usually from local breeders and the animals graze freely.
Não perca
Stay safe
The area is very safe in terms of crime and the only real danger is the wild nature with steep slopes or lonely forests where an injured hiker can not be found immediately. Not everywhere is the mobile network good enough to get emergency help. So if you plan to go to a secluded trail, you may want to inform someone first