The Vikos Gorge, Meteora, and Mt. Olympus, Throne of Zeus
Hidden Villages of Northern Greece
Overview
Traditional Greece can still be found in Zagoria, where stone-built villages perch above the steep and rugged Vikos Gorge. We discover this realm on hikes along shepherds’ paths and across arched stone bridges that span the gorge. Heading to the famed monasteries of Meteora, we’ll follow the monks’ footpaths through these airy medieval sanctuaries, built in the 13th century. Our grand finale is an incredible hike up Mt. Olympus, storied home of the gods, where we gaze over the ancient world from the summit. Our Trip Leaders make culinary adventures a highlight of the journey, and we’ll fuel our hikes by sampling seasonal delights of northern Greek cuisine.
Arrive: Ioánnina, Greece
Depart: Thessaloniki, Greece
Highlights
- Hike in the spectacular Vikos Gorge, the “Grand Canyon of Greece”
- Explore the traditional stone-built villages of Zagoria
- Visit the surreal clifftop monasteries of Meteora
- Summit the hiker’s peak of Mt. Olympus, a fitting abode for the gods
- Experience a wonderful array of local Greek cuisine and wines
Itinerary
From Ioánnina, we explore Dodóna, home to the Oracle of Zeus, the first “diviner” of Greece, then head to the mountains of Zagoria. As we hike to hilltop Vradeto (4,700'), we’ll have splendid views along the Vikos Gorge. Another hike takes us down the Vradeto Steps, a 17th century stone staircase that was until the 1970s the main access to the village.
Stone bridges grace the Vikos Gorge, and we cross our first one to arrive at the handsome village of Kipi. From Vitsa, an optional hike brings us up to Agia Paraskevi Monastery, and at atmospheric Koukoúli, the absence of motor traffic evokes a past era. Between hikes, we relax in village squares and enjoy the local wines and cuisine.
At Meteora, which means “suspended in the air,” we follow paths to these seemingly inaccessible sanctuaries, then head to Litochoro, a small town at the base of Mt. Olympus.
We start our Mt. Olympus hike at Prionia, hiking above treeline to the Spilio Agapitos Refuge (6,890'). The next day, if the weather is with us, we hike to the rocky point of Skala (9,403'), the hiker’s summit of this majestic sacred mountain. Depart on Day 12 via Thessaloniki.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 4+, Moderate to Strenuous, according to our trip grading system. It features daily hikes, with accommodations in hotels and simple pensions. Hikes are mainly on old mule trails and vary from 6-7 hours a day (with occasional longer days) at altitudes of 3,000 to 9,403 feet (the summit of Skala peak on Olympus). Please note the last mile to Skala peak is on loose rock.
Average Hiking Day
- 6-7 miles
- 5 miles
- 2,000' ascent/descent
Challenge Days
- Day 7: 11 miles, 9 hours, 4,500' ascent/descent
- Day 11: 7.5 miles, 8 hours, 2,340' ascent/5,970' descent
Although you carry only a daypack on the hikes, there are many steep ascents and descents and there are some sections that cross rough or rocky trails.
For your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition for the trip. Regular hiking or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym are excellent preparatory exercises. You should wear sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots for maximum comfort on the trail.
Greece has a typical Mediterranean climate. Temperatures should be in the 70s and 80s during the day, and in the 50s and 60s at night (and often colder in the fall). Cooling breezes and rain can occur at any time. Please note: Expect cold mountain weather at the refuge on Olympus (there may be snow on the mountain in autumn). The refuge is unheated but has a fireplace in the dining room, although the fire is not always lit. The sitting room and sleeping rooms are not heated. Note that on the autumn departures, you will need warmer clothes in general.
All hotels and pensions we stay in are chosen for their history and central location. Since they are often in historic buildings the rooms may not conform to the international standards that you may be accustomed to in more cosmopolitan areas. We hope that you will be able to enjoy them for their charm and local color. Single rooms can be requested, but are not always available, due to the limited space in some of our hotels. If you require a single room, please make the request as early as possible. European single rooms are often smaller than US singles.
Please note that in Greece, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 8:00 pm.
Client Testimonials
"An absolutely wonderful trip—perfect for anyone looking to get it away from it all with beautiful challenging hikes."
Angela A.
Charlottesville, VA
"This is a great way to experience Greece."
Barbara Kay C.
Brighton, CO
"Nothing beats a day of challenging exercise followed by a great dinner surrounded by friends. I’ve taken a number of exceptional trips, but this one will be hard to beat."
Candy H.
Del Mar, CA
"I am so grateful I had this opportunity to see Greece on foot. My highest regards to our Trip Leader and his team; they showed me the difference between a Sunday stroll and a real hike up the mountain."
Charlene W.
Torrance, CA
"I loved exploring this part of Greece—a unique area and so much beauty and history."
Cora L.
Gunnison, CO
"An exceptional trip, so rich in legends and history that I had a whole new appreciation for how narrow our knowledge is as an American."
Donna T.
Spokane, WA
"Wonderful excursion—the blend of history, hiking, and outstanding food and lodging make this an A+ outing."
Erin O.
Anchorage, AK
"The trip was a wonderful introduction to Greece. We loved everything we saw—the people, the food, the incredible history."
Frederick L.
Cobham, UK
"We had a great time, off the beaten path, away from the crowds, the best lodging available in the area."
Holly S.
Boulder, CO
"A wonderful trip to see an unexpectedly beautiful part of Greece. The hiking was just right, the vistas were breathtaking and the food was out of this world."
Jane W.
Dennis, MA
"Trip exceeded our expectations and should be on everyone's to-do list."
Jim and Carol B.
Kensington, MD
"This is a very well designed trip."
Margaret H.
Washington, DC
"This was a very unusual experience that we couldn't have had on our own, with our Trip Leader sharing his knowledge of this area that he knows so well."
Ollie H.
Castle Rock, CO
"Once again, WT comes through with a memorable and unique experience."
Susan L.
Cobham, UK
"The time in Zagoria was especially magical. The food was spectacular and unforgettable. We enjoyed staying in smaller guest houses—all good choices."
Tom H.
Shoreline, WA
"Every day was an adventure with new sites and challenges."
Walter K.
Wilton, CT
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.