3-day hiking trip at Tymfi on May 24-26

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 bald eagle and the snowy owl.

The massif of Tymfi is almost treeless and mostly steep especially in its northern and southwestern approaches. It rises between the river Aoos and the tributary of Voidomatis. It was and is the best resort of the nomadic herders of the region.

Lake Tymfi (Drakolimni) is located at an altitude of 2,050 m in the Tymfi massif, between the Aoos River and the Voidomatis tributary, in the protected area of North Pindos. It is also called Drakolimni of Gamila. It has an ellipsoidal shape, an area of about 8 acres and is located next to the cliff, above the Aoos river. The landscape around the lake is bare, but at the same time impressive, of rare beauty, with an amazing panoramic view of the mountain tops. It is a busy hiking destination and is known for the alpine newts that it hosts in its waters. The lake is an hour's walk from the organized shelter in the Astraka saddle and a 4-hour walk from Mikro Papigo. Access is only possible on foot.

In the dragon lake of Tymphi and in the dragon lake of Smolika there lived two dragons, who had enmity with each other and every time they got angry they threw stones at each other. According to the locals, this myth explains the fact that the shores of Smolika's Drakolimni are white with scattered black stones, while the shores of Tymfi lake are black with scattered white stones.

Zagorochoria, around Tymfi, have largely preserved the traditional architecture, with their houses made of stone and wood. It is worth a walk to the bridge of Konitsa, located to the right of the settlement of the same name on the river Aoos, as well as the bridge of Voidomatis in the village of Klidonia.

The most important attraction of the area is the gorge of Vikos, but those who do not want to walk an hour to the springs of Voidomatis, can cool off in the swimming pools just outside Mikro Papigo. Specimens of all types of plants that thrive in the gorge are exhibited in the folklore museum of Lazaridis in the village of Koukouli.

1st day

Our meeting will take place at 20:00 in Mikro Papigo at the foot of Astraka at 960m altitude. We arrive and prepare to enjoy our wine with a view of the imposing Astraka Towers.

2nd day

In the morning with the dew, after a rich breakfast, we load our essentials and start our hike through the forest with beeches and later with firs and holm oaks to lead us to the shelter of Astraka and at 1950m.

A little rest at the shelter and we continue our journey to the highest peak of Tymfi Gamila (2497m).

From the top, the view is breathtaking with the slopes of Gamila falling vertically into the ravine of the Aoos river that opens in front of us, while to the west and a little lower, Drakolimni can be seen at the edge of the steep slope.

We return for lunch at the lodge and then continue our descent to Papigo.

10 hours of hiking

3rd day

Breakfast with a view of the Astraka Towers and then we go to the village of Vikos. From here we descend to the springs of Voidomatis for swimming, relaxing and picnicking.

Then the return to Vikos by the same path where it reminds us that the village ladder when going uphill is a nice challenge.

3 hours of hiking

Cost 205 euros / person