6-day Excursion to Vlachostrata - Crossing North Pindos, on 29/9-4/10

A 6-day hiking crossing of Northern Pindos

We invite you on a wonderful journey to the untouched nature, the mountain paths and the traditional villages of this unspoiled region of our country!

A hiking crossing that passes through Vlachohoria and the mountain pastures of Grevena and is a unique experience for getting to know the place authentically!

Our route starts from the village of Krania, close to Metsovo and ends at the famous village of Samarina, the highest village in Greece and one of the most important Vlach villages, at an altitude of 1450m. It passes through famous villages of the Vlachs, which in the past communicated and contributed significantly to the survival and dissemination of the culture of the tribe in the wider area.

Highlights:

• Pindos National Park, Valia Kalda
• 67 km of course and 3,380 m of ascent
• Climbing the second highest peak in Greece, Smolikas (2,637m.)
• An authentic introduction to the place and the Vlachohoria
• Unique landscapes of incalculable aesthetic and environmental value

The program is aimed at travelers who are looking for deep contact with the culture and substantial exploration of each place and who want to discover the hidden beauties of Pindos through unique hiking trails in nature.

A few words about our adventure

The prefecture of Grevena, in addition to the rich virgin nature, has 5 Vlacho villages (Krania, Perivoli, Avdella, Smixis, Samarina) perched on the slopes of Smolikas overlooking the peak of Vasilitsa, at altitudes of over 1000 meters.

We start from the village of Krania, between the town of Grevena and Metsovo. The village is embraced by oak, black pine forests and stone bridges. We also don't miss the opportunity to visit Boulouvarou Falls. Our next stop is Vlachomilia, from where we start our hike towards the core of the Pindos National Park, Valia Kalda. We will set up tents near Arkudorema to spend the night. We enjoy a unique landscape with towering black pines, but also cool dives in Arkudorema! We learn about the flora and fauna of the National Forest through a very interesting guided tour.

After our ascent to the peak of Avgo (2177m.) we visit the famous village of Perivoli, built amphitheatrically on one of the green slopes of Pindos at 1380m. Next is Avdella, the special homeland of the brothers Manakia, Miltos and Giannis, who they were the first Greek filmmakers. Their busts adorn the central square of the village, with the century-old plane tree for breaths of coolness and ouzeri/cafes for steaming coffee and local delicacies. With Avdella as our starting point, we follow the path and climb to the top of Vasilitsa (2249m), cross the ski center and reach the HOSG shelter at 1880m. to enjoy a quiet evening with an impressive view towards the valley of Grevena, but also towards the celestial firmament which is clearly captured at this height without light pollution!

Finally, Samarina, the highest village in the Balkans, at an altitude of 1450m, is built on the slopes of Smolika and really looks like a painting! The "Kyra of Smolika", as it is known, is located in dense forests and has abundant water with the landmark of the church of Panagia with the century-old pine rooted in its sanctuary, but also the much-sung "her children"!

The ascent to Geros-Smolikas (2637m.) could not be missing from our crossing. We first approach the peaks of Mosia, cross the ridge with a breathtaking view of Tymfi and the towers of Astraka and reach the second highest peak in Greece, with the most beautiful view (Aou valley) and the heart-shaped Drakolimni.

It is undoubtedly an unforgettable experience!

Participation fee: 490.00 euros / person

DAILY PROGRAM

Friday September 29: MEETING, SKULLS & BOULOUVARO FALLS

15:00 Meeting in the village of Krania & welcome.

17:30 Visit to the stone bridges of the village and the Boulouvarou waterfalls.

20:00 Briefing about the crossing, checking necessary and suitable equipment of the participants, receiving the next day's breakfast meals and lunch snacks in individual portions. Overnight stay of your choice in hotels in the area or in tents in a specific area that we will indicate.

Saturday, September 30: VALIA KALDA - ARKOUDOREMA

07:15 We depart from the village of Krania with the company's vehicles for Vlachomilia (9km). From there we will follow the path for the ascent to the pass of Saliatura Milia and then we will move downhill to the core of the Pindos Valia Kalda National Park. We will set up tents near Arkudorema to spend the night. We enjoy a unique landscape with towering black pines but cool dips in Arkudorema! We learn about the flora and fauna of the National Forest through a very interesting guided tour.

20:00 Evening meal and pick-up of the next day's breakfast and midday snack.

Hiking route 12 km, positive altitude +500 negative altitude -350, estimated duration 4 hours.

Sunday, October 1: CLIMB TO THE EGG TOP

08:00 After our breakfast, we will hike from the core of the forest and climb to the top of Avgo (2177m.) which dominates the village of Perivoli. From the top we will descend to the point of Diza with the final destination being the village of Perivoli. We will arrive in the village in the afternoon where we will enjoy our coffee or soft drink in their large central square and chat with the villagers. The overnight stay will be in a guesthouse in the village.

20:00 Evening meal in the village square with local meats. Delivery of breakfast and lunch the next day.

Hiking route 13 km, positive altitude +800 negative altitude -650, estimated duration 6 hours.

Monday, October 2: ABDELLA & VASILITSA

08:00 After our breakfast, we will follow the forest road that will take us just outside the village of Avdella, another Vlach village of Grevena on the borders of the National Park. Avdella is the special homeland of the brothers Manakia, Miltos and Yiannis, who were the first Greek filmmakers and their busts are located in the central square of the village. It is really worth a stop in the coolness of the big plane tree in the village square. We follow the path outside the village that will lead us to the top of Vasilitsa (2249m.) and we will descend to the shelter of the Ski Association of Grevena on the opposite side of Mount Gomara. We will pass between the facilities of the National Ski Center. The overnight stay will be at the shelter of the HOSG at 1880m. A quiet evening awaits us with an impressive view towards the valley of Grevena but also towards the celestial body which is captured crystal clear at this height without light pollution! If the weather permits, we will also have a pleasant surprise – to observe the stars and planets with a telescope with the help of the local club.

20:00 Dinner with outdoor BBQ.

Hiking route 13 km, positive altitude +980 negative altitude -450, estimated duration 6 hours.

Tuesday, October 3: SAMARINA

07:30 After our breakfast, we will move west behind the Gomara peak, where some Agriogida people are staying, to meet the path coming from the village of Distrato that will lead us to the highest village in Greece and the Balkans, one of the most important Vlach villages, Samarina. Samarina is built on the eastern slopes of Smolika at an altitude of 1450m. Today the route will be easier without many altitudes and a long distance. It is an opportunity to stay more time in the village where we will spend the night so that we can visit the village churches built since 1713 AD, talk with the locals and listen to the Vlach (Latin dialect) from the elders of the village.

20:00 Food in the village taverns with traditional dishes. Overnight stay in the guesthouses of the village.

Hiking route 9km, positive altitude +300 negative altitude -450, estimated duration 4 ½ hours.

Wednesday, October 4: CLIMBING SMOLIKA

06:00 Today the alarm will be much earlier in the morning than usual. We will be transported by company vehicles to a distance of about 20 minutes from the village and we will start the walk from Romiou position (1700m.). We hike uphill to the first Mosia peak and continue for the second to Gero-Smolika (2637m.), the second highest peak in Greece. We will return by the same path to the middle of the route and from there (Gorgoulios location) we will reach the village. The long crossing of N. Pindos and the end of Vlachostrata will also end there.

Hiking route 20km, positive altitude +800 negative altitude -1050, estimated duration 12 hours.