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We left Central Greece, Delphi, and Meteora to venture into our northernmost destination in Greece : Pindos National Park and Vikos Gorge, just before our next stop, Ioannina. We continued our 21-day family road trip through Greece in a motorhome. We explored one of Greece's most extensive mountain ranges, bordering Messovo, Albania, Macedonia, and the Ionian Sea . These mountains lie within the Greek regions of Epirus and Thessaly.
The Interpretation Center of the Pindos and Vikos Gorge National Park
We arrived at the national park through its main entrance, the Park Interpretation Center , where one of the staff members very kindly explained all sorts of details about the park. These explanations finally helped us understand our destination clearly. Despite having read a lot on other blogs and guides, many things were still unclear, so we asked here and received excellent answers.
First of all, we understand that Pindos National Park, established in 1973, is a large national park. It encompasses various protected areas and natural parks within its boundaries . Our guide explains that there are three main roads, each leading to a different part of the National Park.
The 3 zones of the Pindos and Vikos Gorge National Park
On the rightmost road, the one closest to Metsovo, we find an area with several lakes and waterfalls. It also has a curious museum of old mud houses from the region. This is the Pindos area, our guide tells us, and home to the highest peak in Greece after Mount Olympus. At 2637 meters, we find Mount Smolikas.
Then we found the other two roads where we found the main villages of Zagori . Zagori is not a region, as many people say. Zagori is a municipality that includes 46 micro-villages within this National Park.
Of these two roads, the central one offers the main viewpoints overlooking the Vikos Gorge . The Vikos Gorge holds the Guinness World Record for depth, measuring almost 1 km deep and wide. In this area, besides viewpoints like Beloi, perfect for admiring the gorge, there are charming villages. Many of these villages feature ancient medieval rock bridges. The information officer at the Tourist Information Center tells us that these bridges were built by the wealthy villagers as a symbol of their power.
To get to the Beloi viewpoint, you must park in the parking lot on the side of the road. From there, you'll need to hike approximately 5 km round trip to reach the viewpoint. See the track here.
Finally, another highlight of this road is the famous Vradeto steps . These impressive steps zigzag up the hillside, handcrafted by the inhabitants of two villages to connect them. A 7 km out-and-back route along the steps, connecting the two villages, is available.
Our recommended area in the Pindos and Vikos Gorge National Park
Finally, the third road , furthest to the left. This road passes through villages in Zagori and is characterized by being the area of the Voidomatis River and the Stone Forest.
Being summer and hot, we decided to discover this third area more extensively. An area of the Pindos National Park, which falls to the left of the Vikos Gorge, from the Vikos Gorge.
A great success, since it is the area that has captivated us most of our entire trip to Greece.
Exquisitely preserved villages of beautiful stone. With charming artisan shops, cafes, and excellent restaurants. And the icy turquoise waters of the captivating Voidomatis River. We go rafting , swim at its beaches, and enjoy the stunning natural pools carved into the Papingo rock.
This is definitely an area we highly recommend. Start with the Rock Forest in the beautiful village of Monodendri and end in Papingo and Mikro Papingo. There you'll find stunning rock pools and charming little villages with lovely people. Just be prepared for narrow roads and some breathtaking curves before you reach Papingo.
Rafting in Pindos National Park and Vikos Gorge
One of the things our whole family enjoyed most was rafting on the Voidomatis River , a 3-hour activity that we absolutely loved. It was incredibly well-organized, super safe, and fun. Children over 5 years old can do it without any problems. We booked it online the day before, and the company is located right across from the Papigo parking lot where we stayed. They take you by bus to the starting point. You can book on their website here : https://papigoadrenaline.com/rafting-voidomatis-zagorochoria-vikos-aoos-geopark/
The monitor and the activity was 10, they even make a stop where they give you water and a typical liquor from the area. Highly recommended for all types of audiences.
Overnight in Pindos National Park and Vikos Gorge by motorhome
To stay overnight in Pindos National Park in a motorhome or campervan, the Park Information Center provided us with all the necessary information. They told us that it is strictly forbidden to do so within the protected natural areas. We can only stay overnight within the towns and villages, in the designated parking areas . They warned us that fines are issued outside these areas. They explained that this is for our own safety due to the bears, wolves, and packs of dogs protecting the livestock. Finally, they explained that overnight stays are permitted in the villages because there are no campsites in the entire area, although they did mention that a new one is currently under construction.
The downside is that most villages have tiny parking lots. For a large motorhome like ours, turns through such small towns, with narrow and cobbled streets on slopes, which are slippery when it rains, is not their thing. That's why whenever you can park at the entrance of the towns if you see a siding or picnic area that many have. The best thing we found and where we were very comfortable was the spacious parking lot at the Papigo entrance. In front of him is the rafting company. Of course, to get to Papigo is to swallow 7 or 8 paellas, curves, pronounced, that form a snake on the road, see the image below.
In Papigo, you will also find the best cafeteria with cakes and crafts that we have seen in Greece (next to the parking lot). And also, the information center of this area called Vikos-Aoos UNESCO Global Geopark.
Without a doubt, do not miss the north of Greece, for us the best of Greece. Their villages have nothing to do with the neglected and abandoned villages of the Peloponnese.
