If you are nature lovers and love tradition, then Zagorochoria is the ideal place for you. A gifted place, with pristine and unpretentious beauty, that breeds passions and emotions. Well-preserved Epirus architecture, unique natural landscapes, authentic flavors, original hospitality from people tied to their place. What else to ask for;
A few words about the area
Zagorochoria are forty-six scattered settlements, located in Zagori of Epirus, in an area in the Pindos Mountain Range. The word Zagori comes from the Slavic preposition Za which means "back" and the noun gora which means "mountain", therefore behind the mountain. Of course, its current name would say it is not accidental, since in ancient times the place was known as "Parorea". The entire area has an area of about 1,000 square kilometers and is likened to an equilateral triangle. Its lower peak touches the capital of the region, Ioannina, the Southwest Side is formed by Mount Mitsikeli, the river Aoos and Mount Tymfi, while the Southeast Side follows the river Varda in Mavrovouni near Metsovo. Zagori is one of the most sparsely populated parts of Greece, since the population of the region is estimated at about 3700 inhabitants. According to numerical formulas, this means four inhabitants per square kilometer (!), an inconceivable number if one considers the average in the country is 73.8! Below, I chose for you, what I think should be seen by someone visiting Zagorochoria for the first time.
10) Gyftokampos-Iliochori Waterfalls
In the tenth place I have placed two different attractions, which, however, you can combine, as they are relatively close. I am referring of course to Gyftokambos and more specifically the Sarakatsaniki Stani and the waterfalls in Iliochori.
The first is an initiative of the Sarakatsanaian Brotherhood of Epirus, which constructed a complex of buildings of the then era. In this place, the visitor will perceive the sarakatsani way of life in the best possible way. The main feature of this life was the nomadic and semi-nomadic animal husbandry, which dictated the movements of the Sarakatsanaians from the mountains of Pindos to the plains of Epirus and Aitoloakarnania. The entrance to Sarakatsaniki Stani is free, while there is a refreshment bar-tavern in the area.
On the other hand, the waterfalls of Iliochori are an earthly paradise relatively unknown to the general public. After leaving your car at the end of the road, you will need to walk about a thousand meters on a grassy cobblestone path to admire them. The route is easy although demanding, while the images of nature will overwhelm you and compensate you. At that point there are three waterfalls, with the largest being the most accessible. If you choose summer for your excursion, do not hesitate to take a dip in the crystal-clear-frozen natural pool, which forms in front of it.
9) The paths
One of the main reasons for visiting the Zagori region is hiking. The topography of the place forced the locals to develop a complex system of paths, the main ones of which are the so-called cobblestones. There are dozens of trails for all tastes and all levels, which will allow you to walk in nature discovering the natural beauty of this magical place. Some of the most popular short routes are from Dilofos to Vitsa (about 3km), from Dilofos to Kipoi (4km), from Kipoi to Koukouli (2.5km), from Kapesovo to Vradetto (3km), from Iliohori to the waterfalls of the same name (1 km) and of course many others. I will refer to the longer and more demanding paths below.
8) The Monasteries and Churches
The monasteries and churches in Zagorochoria are among the most important sights of the area. Most of them are the oldest buildings of each settlement, even older than the houses themselves! Most of them follow their own architecture and are built with local materials, namely stone and wood. Their characteristic common feature is the large external shed with arches, which was a kind of vestibule for the protection of the faithful from the bad weather during the winter months. Plus, in many churches the door is very low, a construction that we often find in the area, in order to prevent profane conquerors from entering the sacred space on their horse, as they used to. The most important of these are the Monastery of Saint John Rogovos in Tsepelovo (1028-1034), the Monastery of Virgin Mary Spiliotissa in Aristi (1665), the Monastery of Prophet Elias in Vitsa (unknown when it was built), the Church of Saint Vlasios in Papigo (1852) and the Monastery of Saint Paraskevi in Monodendri (1412).
7) Staircase of Vradeto
In the village of Vradeto, we discover one of the most popular hiking attractions not only of Zagori, but also of the whole continent. I am referring of course to Staircase of Vradeto (Skala Vradetou), which connects the homonymous village with Kapesovo. The 1.100 cobbled steps of the Vradeto staircase smoothly cover an altitude difference of 250 meters! On this beautiful forty-minute route, you will admire the unique natural beauty of the place, and you will have unobstructed views of the Vikos Gorge. Particularly interesting is the fact that this stone masterpiece, until 1974 was the only connection of these two villages with the rest of the world!
6) The bridges
Many people have identified Zagorochoria with the bridges, and I am not wronging them, since they are definitely an attraction of the area. These stone arched bridges were mostly created between the 18th and 19th centuries, with the purpose of connecting the paths of the villages above Voidomatis River. Most will be found on the road while driving, while others will require a short walk. The most famous ones are the Kalogeriko or Plakida Bridge (1814), which got its specific name because it was converted from wood to stone with the sponsorship of Abbot Seraphim, the Kokori or Noutsou Bridge (1750), which is the first you come across, the Bridge Kontodimos or Lazaridis (1753), the Kamber Aga Bridge, the Klidonia or Voidomatis Bridge (1853), the Misios Bridge (1748), the Tsipianis Bridge (1875) and the Mylos Bridge (1748).
5) Voidomatis
What few people know about Voidomatis River (or Vikos River) is that it is one of the few rivers with drinking water and a constant temperature of 4°C throughout the year! The river has a total length of 15 kilometers, with its crystal clear waters coming from the Vikos Gorge and ending in the Aoos River. If you thought its name comes from "the eye of an ox" (vodi means ox and mati means eye in Greek), then you are wrong, since the name of Voidomatis has Slavic roots and derives from the words voda (water) and mati (source)! The best way to discover Voidomatis is through rafting. It is no coincidence that this place is a pole of attraction for thousands of extreme sports enthusiasts throughout the year. So if you choose, you will find dozens of kiosks in many villages that offer the equipment and experienced guide, to help you live an awesome experience.
4) Kolymbithres
Kolymbithres is another "must" attraction in Zagorochoria that should be unmissed. It is essentially located between Big and Small Papigo, and their access is very easy, just following a passable path that starts from the main road. This is a rare natural phenomenon, in the Rogovo stream, which at that point, turns into a canyon type, creating small natural pools. According to the locals, Kolymbithres was the "cottage" of Ali Pasha, since he chose this place for his summer baths! So if you find yourself in the summer area, do not hesitate to take a dip, but you should know that the water is freezing.
3) The Villages
Zagori is its villages. Each of the 46 settlements that exist in the area has its own character and its own virgin beauties, which make it stand out and impress. Obviously it is impossible to visit all the villages in one trip, and the selection criteria are always subjective, but below I chose for you the ones that made the most impression on me.
Starting from Western Zagori, it is worth visiting the perhaps most famous villages of the area, Small and Big Papigo, Aristi and Vikos. These villages, although beautiful, are relatively touristic, which means that they have lost much of their authenticity. In Central Zagori I think you will find the most traditional settlements, many of which have remained unchanged in time. The most charming villages there for me are Dilofo, Kipi, Koukouli, Elati, Vitsa, Monodendri and Kapesovo. Ultimately, the calm power of Eastern Zagori has to give you unique images in villages such as Vovousa on the banks of Aoos, Elatochori and Kastanona.
2) Dragon Lake
Dragon Lake of Tymfi or Dragon Lake Gamila is considered one of the most attractive places in Greece. By Dragon Lake we mean of course all the alpine lakes formed mainly in the mountains of Epirus. What a Dragon Lake it would be without a dragon. According to legend, two dragons lived in this lake and the Dragon Lake of Smolikas. These two dragons did not get along well with each other and fought constantly, throwing stones at each other. This explains why there are scattered white stones on the black banks of Dragon Lake of Tymfi and scattered black stones on the White banks of Dragon Lake of Smolikas. Today there is no dragon in the lake, but there are small dragons. I am referring of course to the alpine newts that live in the lake and are estimated to be descendants of dinosaurs. Of course, as usual, to see something so unique, you will have to work for it. To reach Dragon Lake of Tymfi, you will need to walk about 3.5 hours from Small Papigo, with much of the route being uphill! Attention! Swimming in the lake is prohibited, as is free camping. If you wish to stay overnight in the area, you can stay at Astrakas shelter, at a cost of 13e/person.
1) Vikos Gorge
At the top of the list could not be anything else than the Vikos Gorge. With a length of about 11 km and depth in many places, over 1000 meters, starts from the homonymous village and ends in Kipoi. It is the core of the Vikos-Aoos National Park (along with Voidomatis), while it is home to many rare species of flora and fauna. Of particular interest is the fact that the Vikos Gorge holds a Guinness record, since it is the deepest in the world! To cross it you will need about 6-8 hours and the guidance of an experienced guide. If there is no such possibility, you will be content to admire it from above. The two best places to do it are Beloi in Vradeto and Oxia in Monodendri. In the first case you will have the best view of the Gorge, but you will have to walk about thirty minutes to reach it. In the second case, you will simply travel a hundred meters on a delightful path in nature. Therefore if you choose the second alternative, make a stop in the Stone Forest, which is located three kilometers below. This is a unique geological phenomenon, with local limestones in the form of tree trunks!
Where to stay
Zagori has many beauties, and the choice of accommodation is of strategic importance if you wish to explore them. My opinion is you should prefer central Zagori and more specifically the beautiful village of Dilofos. So I would suggest choosing either the Gaia Gueshouse, a beautiful renovated guest house with all modern amenities, or the picturesque Dilofos Mansion, which is located opposite the village square and offers very good value for money.
What to eat
Being in Epirus and more specifically in Zagorochoria, you should definitely try some of its famous local products. First and best, of course, are the Zagori pies. With a hand-kneaded sheet and a filling made from fresh produce, the local pies will delight you. Try nettle pie, as the most special of them all. You will also find high-quality spoon sweets, delicious meats such as sausage and wild boar, especially dairy products such as turkey, mushrooms, wild greens and trout! A very good choice to taste the traditional delicacies is the Lithos of Mr. Takis in Dilofos, while it is also worth taking a walk by Vikogiatros in Koukouli. In addition to delicious snacks, you will have the opportunity to meet a very special person.
If this article seemed interesting or contributed to your quality information, then you can like my facebook page: o_thessalonikios or follow me on instagram!
Mouzakidis Pantelis
