Zagori
VILLAGES BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS | classic Journey
The remote Pindus mountains of north-western Greece are home to Zagori, an important former staging point for wealthy Ottoman traders on the silk routes during the 17th & 18th centuries. Today, many of the villages in this special mountain region are national monuments preserving traditional village life.
When to go
May to Oct
Price from
£2,940
From the moment you touch down in Greece, everything is included so that while you are with us you can forget about your wallet, relax and enjoy your time in the mountains.
Duration
4 - 5 nights
Scheduled journeys
Travel privately
Journey highlights
- Discover the fascinating history of this ancient region with our excellent host and guides.
- Travel at your own pace by bike and on foot, stopping for picnics and the occasional refreshing dip in the mountain rivers.
- Step back in time and absorb the cultural beauty of the spectacular 18th century Negades church.
- Hosted in family-run guest houses, you will enjoy the very best local food and wines.
- With our customary attention to detail, you will never be better cared for on holiday.
ON THE MOVE
This is a journey by e-bike and on foot. Accompanied by our passionate local team you will e-bike your way on quiet tarmac roads through the dramatic Pindus Mountains, our excellent bikes doing the hard work for you on the steep ascents.
The walking follows forest trails and ancient mule tracks, through traditional villages, across pastoral landscapes, with panoramic viewpoints along the way.
MEET joshua, your guide
It was the region’s unique music that brought me to Epirus at first. Now I split my time between Athens and Ano Pedina, one of Zagori’s 46 traditional villages. It is a remote sanctuary, an Eden that I feel blessed to have discovered.
day by day itinerary
Villages Beyond the Mountains
We designed our Zagori journey to be a 5-night exploration of one of Greece’s wildest and most beautiful regions. Below is the itinerary, although it can easily be offered as a 4-night journey too.
Transfer 3.5 hours
For those arriving on the recommended flight, we provide a transfer to Dilofo, where we stay in a charming traditional mansion in the heart of this beautiful Zagorian village. Dinner is in a village restaurant.
Morning cycle 29 kms – Afternoon cycle 13kms
After breakfast and our bike fitting we will leave Dilofo on bicycles. We start with a beautiful downhill before climbing up to Dikorfo. It is a challenging climb but we will be rewarded with some spectacular views and a delicious, freshly prepared lunch. This afternoon we continue our cycle to Fragades, where we stay in a charming family-run guest house with uninterrupted views over the surrounding lush landscape.
Morning cycle 35 kms – Afternoon cycle 6 kms
We leave Fragades on bike heading west and, after stopping to see the wonderful church at Negades, we wind our way along a gloriously peaceful back road, ending with lunch in a local taverna. In the afternoon we will continue our cycle to Kapesovo, high above the surrounding hills. Dinner is in the village and your accommodation is a lovely guest house owned and run by Gianna and her family.
Morning walk 7.5 kms – Afternoon cycle 29 kms
We leave Kapesovo on foot, climbing a stone shepherds’ track built in the 17th century to connect Vradeto with the outside world. When we reach the village of Vradeto, we’ll enjoy a rest at our friend Konstantina’s coffee shop before continuing to Beloi for our first sight of the Vikos Gorge. We will have a picnic lunch in the hills above Vradeto. In the afternoon it’s a fantastic cycle to Kato Pedina, set amid the plains of the Pindus Mountains and home to our overnight accommodation.
Morning walk/cycle 5.5 kms – Afternoon cycle 27 kms
After a slow morning we will either walk or cycle to the village of Elafotopos, where we will meet our friend Lena who will show us the art of weaving and felt making before cooking us a delicious homemade lunch. In the afternoon we will enjoy a stunning ride with increasingly epic views as we near the Vikos Gorge. Along the way we will find the perfect spot for a dip in the Voidomatis River, if you’re brave enough. Our final night is spent in charming Papigo, perching precariously at the entrance to the gorge.
HOW TO BOOK
There are two ways to travel with us in Zagori. You can either travel on a set-date Scheduled Journey or put together your own private party.
MAKE NEW FRIENDS
Scheduled Journeys
A wonderful opportunity to explore a fascinating part of the world, to meet like-minded travellers and make new friends in a group of Slow Cyclists assembled by us.
TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS
Private Journeys
If you love the look of Zagori and would like to experience it in a small group of family or friends, get in touch and we will explain how we can make it happen.
