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We left Central Greece, Delphi and Meteora to enter our destiny northernmost of Greece: The Pindos and Vikos Gorge National Park, just before our next destination which will be Ioannina in Greece. We continue in our family trip to Greece in a motorhome for 21 days. One of the largest mountain ranges in Greece that touches Metsovo, Albania, Macedonia and the Ionian Sea. Some mountains within the Greek regions of the Epirus and Thessaly.
The Interpretation Center of the Pindos and Vikos Gorge National Park
We arrived at the national park through its front door. To its Park Interpretation Center, where one of her informants very kindly explains all kinds of details about the National Park. These explanations make us finally understand our destiny clearly. Despite having read a lot in other blogs and guides, many things that we asked here were not clear to us and they answered us very well.
First of all, we understand that the Pindos National Park, established in 1973, is a large national park. a park that houses various areas and protected natural parks within. Our informant explains that There are 3 main roads and each one leads to a different area of the National Park.
The 3 zones of the Pindos and Vikos Gorge National Park
In the rightmost road, the closest to Metsovo, we find a whole area with some lakes and waterfalls. In addition, it has a curious Museum of old mud houses in the area. The most Pindos area tells us the informant, and with the highest peak in Greece after Mount Olympus. At 2637 we find the so-called Mount Smolikas.
Then we find the other two roads where we find the main villages of Zagori. Zagori, is not a region, as many say. Zagori is a municipality that adds 46 micro villages within this National Park.
Of these two roads, the central of the three, is the one with the main Vikos Gorge lookouts. The Vikos is the Guinness world record gorge in depth, almost 1 km deep and wide. In this area, apart from finding viewpoints such as Beloi, perfect for contemplating the gorge, there are beautiful villages. And in many of these villages the old medieval rock bridges stand out. The informant from the Information Center tells us that these bridges were built by the rich people of the town as a symbol of their power.
To go to beloi lookout, You must park in their parking lot on the side of the road. From there to access the viewpoint you must make a walking route of about 5 km round trip. VIEW here the track.
Finally, on this road we must also highlight the famous Vradeto stairs. Impressive stairs that zigzag up the hillside, handmade by the inhabitants of two villages to unite. Here we can make a rue back and forth down the stairs from town to town about 7 km.
Our recommended area in the Pindos and Vikos Gorge National Park
Por último, la third road, from more to left. It shares Zagori villages and is characterized by being the Voidomatis River and Stone Forest area.
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.
Ultra manicured gemstone villages. With craft shops, cafes and restaurants of ten. And with icy turquoise waters of a captivating river, such as the Voidomatis. in it we do Rafting, our We swim in its beaches and in its impressive pools in the rock of Papingo.
Without a doubt an area that we recommend 100%. Starting with your Forest on the Rock in the village precious of monodendri and ending in Papingo and Mikro Papingo. Where we will find its rock pools and its beautiful villages with charming people. Of course, prepare for narrow roads and for some infarct curves before reaching Papingo.
Rafting in Pindos National Park and Vikos Gorge
One of the things that the whole family liked the most is the Rafting down the Voidomatis River, a 3-hour activity that we loved, super prepared, super safe and fun. They can do it over 5 years old and we can say that without problem. The day before we booked it on the web and right in front of the Papigo parking lot where we slept is this company and they take you by bus to the exit 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 spend the night in the Pindos National Park in a motorhome or camper, at the Park Information Center they inform us of everything. They tell us that it is totally forbidden to do it within natural spaces. Only we can spend the night within the urban centers, in the parking lots of the villages. They notify us, that they fine out of there. And you tell us that it is for our own safety due to the bears, wolves and packs of dogs that are there that protect the herds. Finally, he explains to us that in the villages they let us spend the night because there are no campsites in the entire area, and that they inform us that they are building a new one.
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.
