3-day Excursion Drakolimni Tymfis - Gamila on 13-15/10

Adventure 3-parter in Drakolimni and the peak of Tymfi || October 13-15

A unique experience in one of the most enchanting places in Greece, the famous Drakolimni and the peak of Tymfi!

• Tour Type: Trekking
• Difficulty Level: B++
• Highest Altitude: 2497M
• Bottom: Altitude
• Distance: 28 km (3 ways)
• Accommodation: Hotel / Lodge
• Transport: Bus
• Suitable for beginners in VERY good physical condition

TYMFI - GAMILA 2497 m

One of the most popular climbing destinations in Epirus, Tymfi is characterized by a strong relief, with steep cliffs formed between 37 and 150 million years ago. Its slopes are overgrown with beeches, oaks and cedars, while higher up we find black pine, Macedonian fir and robola.

To the south of the mountain is the gorge of Vikos with the springs of Voidomatis, which joins the river Aoos - a natural boundary between Tymfi and Trapezitsa. The wider area, which has been designated a national park since 1973, is home to rare mammals such as the bear, wolf and otter, as well as birds such as the golden eagle, the vulture, the white vulture and the snowy owl.

DRAKOLIMNI 2050m - TYMFI

Among the most famous Drakolimnes is the Drakolimni of Tymfi or Gamila. It is located in an alpine meadow at an altitude of 2050m. which has an area of about 8 acres. It is located northwest of Ploskos peak, northeast of Astraka peak, south of Stomio Monastery and northwest of Gamilas peak. The shape of Drakolimni Gamila is circular with a diameter of 112m. and depth that reaches 12m. Drakolimni Gamilas is a busy climbing destination.

Dracolimnes are the alpine lakes that are formed mainly in the mountains of Epirus and host in their waters the alpine Tritons. In the area around the Drakolimnes there are pastures where the cattle breeders move their stables in the summer. The area around a Dragon Lake is fertile due to springs and running waters

Animal species such as birds of prey, wild goats and others make up the environment of the area. In winter the snows that cover the areas around Drakolimnes do not allow access and completely freeze the water of the lake, while spring and autumn are the right times for such a tour.

Scientifically, the Drakolimnes are considered to be remnants of glaciers, but according to tradition they are referred to as the dwellings of dragons, who would throw rocks at each other every time they quarreled.

The two lakes mentioned also present one difference. The Drakolimni of Gamilas has black soil on its banks combined with white stones, while the Drakolimni of Smolikas has on its banks white soil combined with black stones. The shepherds of the area attribute this phenomenon to the enmity of the two dragons. The white stones of Lake Gamilas are those thrown by the dragon of Smolika who had taken them from his lake with the white soil, while the black stones of Lake Smolika are those thrown by the dragon of Gamilas who also took them from own pond with black soil.

ACCOMMODATION - SHELTER ASTRAKAS

• Departure: Friday October 13, 2023 / Return: Sunday October 15, 2023
• Departure Time Friday: Agios Antonios Metro: 17.00, Palataki (Vassilopoulos) 17.20, Isthmus: 18.10 (please be 10 minutes earlier at the meeting point)
• Return Sunday: 23.00 (indicative)
• Departure / Return Point: Agios Antonios Metro / Palataki / Isthmus

OUR PROGRAM IN DETAIL

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13

• 17.00: DEPARTURE from Metro Agios Antonios. Please be at the point 10 minutes early
• 17.20 Palataki 18.10 Isthmus of Corinth. Destination the city of Ioannina and the hotel in the center of the city.
• Indicative time of arrival +/- 22.00 Check-in at the hotel, arrangement in the rooms (double & triple) and evening out in the picturesque town of Ioannina

SATURDAY OCTOBER 14

• 08.00 : Check out from the hotel, after having our breakfast, Our hiking trip to the dreamy Mikro Papigo has begun and is expected to be exciting.
• After about an hour we arrive at the starting point of our hike. We will put on our mountaineering backpacks for the Astraka mountain refuge at 1950 meters.
• We start our hike crossing the beautiful stone-built settlement of the village with the imposing volume of Astraka in front of us. We follow the national trail 03 in a green forest initially up to the Antalki fountain 1178m and then slowly the forest gives way to sparse bushy cedars ending in an alpine field with an unlimited view!!
• Towards noon, after about 4 hours, we have arrived at the mountain shelter of Astraka. Settling in, free time to eat and rest.
• 17.30 we prepare our backpacks for the famous Drakolimni of Tymfi at an altitude of 2050 meters. The path initially descends to the seasonal lake "Lakka Tsoumani", fromwhich continues uphill to Drakolimni!!
• Arriving at the lake, the home of the Alpine Triton, the images will enchant us .. We will enjoy the view of the ravine of Aoos, Trapezitsa and Smolikas!! Return to the shelter by the same route, food and overnight!

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: LITTLE PARROT - ASTRAKA SHELTER

Mikro Papigo 951m - Astrakas Refuge 1912m → Maximum Altitude: 1912m → Minimum Altitude: 951m → Route Length: 5.9km → Total Ascent: 988m → Total Descent: 37m → Estimated Route Time: 3.30 hours → Degree of Difficulty: 2 (very good physical condition)

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: ASTRAKA SHELTER - DRAGOLIMNI

Astrakas Refuge 1912 m - Drakolimni 2050 m → Maximum Altitude: 2050 m → Minimum Altitude: 1755 m → Route Length: 2.8 km → Total Ascent: 273 meters → Total Descent: 189 meters → Estimated Route Time: 1.30 hours → Degree of Difficulty : 2 (very good physical condition)

SUNDAY OCTOBER 15

• Morning awakening, and after having our breakfast, we will follow the route to the highest peak of Tymfi, Gamila at 2497 meters!!
• The route to the top alternates and shows us sometimes impressive rocks and meadows, keeping our interest undiminished, where after about 3 hours we reach the top! In addition to the ravine of Aoos, we will admire Drakolimni Tymfis from a unique angle, the back of the peak of Astraka, the alpine meadows of the plateau, Smolikas in the background, but also the many mountain peaks and slopes of the area.
• For our return to the shelter of Astraka, we will follow the same route back.
• After returning to the lodge, we will have some time to rest and start our descent to Mikro Papigo, where the coach will be waiting for us!
• Food in a village tavern and return to Athens late in the evening

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: ASTRAKA SHELTER - GAMILA TOP

Astrakas Refuge 1912 m - Gamila Peak 2497 m → Maximum Altitude: 2497 m → Minimum Altitude: 1767 m → Route Length: 5.1 km → Total Ascent: 679 meters → Total Descent: 150 meters → Estimated Route Time: 3 hours → Grade Difficulty: 2 (very good physical condition)