Φαραγγι Βικον

Farángi Vikou - Vikos Gorge

Useful Information

Location:	Vikos–Aoos National Park. Between the villages Monodéndri and Vikos, Zagoria. About 30 km north of Ioannina. (39.8821697, 20.7487481) (39.9487767, 20.7139425)
Open:	No restrictions. But path is not usable during winter with high water. [2024]
Fee:	free. [2024]
Classification:	Losing stream, karst spring.
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The mountain area north of Ioannina is called Zagória. Some valleys with 46 small villages, a national park and a famous gorge are a sort of hidden treasure. Touristic development already started, several villages have hotels and rooms to rent, but still the amount of tourists is rather low and the few which are coming, enjoy hiking in this remote area.

Many of the villages have houses built of natural stone, slate or marl. Monodéndri is famous for its feudal houses and the nice marketplace. From here, a walk down through the 10 km long Vikos Gorge starts. This gorge with 600 m high walls is said to be the deepest gorge on Earth. Another possible starting point is the Γεφύρι Νούτσο Κόκκορη (Kokkorou Ancient Stone Bridge) at the road Asfaka-Vrisochoriou. In this case, there is no long descent into the gorge.

A special feature, the reason why it is listed on this site, is the Voidomatis river, a loosing stream. In the northern part of the gorge the whole water peters out during summer. The last remaining ponds are full of water snakes feeding on the fish. And along the path you can see sun bathing snakes too. It is definitely a good idea to be careful, and if you are bitten, try to remember the type of snake and visit a local physician. However, most of the snakes in this area are not poisonous.

The lost stream reappears two hours down the trail, in the karst spring Πηγές Βοϊδομάτη (Voidomatis Springs). Soon the Πηγές Αγκαστρωμένης (Angastromeni Springs) follow. From here the stream flows to the northwest and through Albania into the Mediterranean Sea. The Μονοπάτι Πηγών Βοϊδομάτη (Voidomatis Springs Trail) leads in serpentines uphill out of the gorge to the village Vikos.

The walk is much recommended, but you should prepare well. Wear a hat and beware of the snakes. Take enough water with you (2 liters per person is a good guess), wear good shoes and probably long trousers, because of the snakes. Most people do the walk downhill, from Monodéndri to Vikos. This makes no difference as both endpoints are above the gorge, and there is a long ascent at the end in both directions. A good idea is to send someone to Vikos with a car, to pick up the hikers.