Vikos Gorge Crossing at Zagori, Ioannina

Organized by Greek Adventure

Activity Snapshot

Fitness level: Sporty
Duration: 7 hrs
Meeting point:
Spoken languages: English, Greek
Minimum age: From 12 years-old and up
Cancellation policy: flexible More info
Opening seasons:

Activity description

Hiking inside the world's deepest canyon! The Vikos Gorge in Zagori, Ioannina, with a length of 20km (12mi), walls that range from 120m to 490m (400 to 1,600 ft) deep, and a width that ranges from a few meters at its narrowest part to 400m (1,312 ft) at it widest, is listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the deepest canyon in the world in proportion to its width. The main part of the gorge stretches from the village of Vikos to Monodendri and attains a depth of about 1,000m (3,281 ft).

Our hiking tour will start from Monodentri and will finish at Vikos village. The landscape of the 20 km long gorge, 12 km οf which belong to the park's core zone, presents a diverse relief and is characterized by abrupt altitudinal changes. Steep slopes and precipitous rocky cliffs dominate in the middle and higher zones respectively. Numerous gullies dissect both sides of the gorge and the movement of water detaching various rocky materials creates extended screes.

The gorge, with a northwest-southeast direction, has been carved over millions of years by the Voidomatis River, a tributary of the Aoos. The Voidomatis is mostly seasonal, with year-round flow occurring only in the lower part of the gorge (see our proposed Voidomatis rafting activity too). As the Vikos Gorge is a deep cross-section, its slopes expose a series of rocks of different age. The upper layers consist of limestone formations, while the lower ones of grey dolomite. A special feature of the limestone, resulting from its chemical weathering to water, is its caustic nature. Since limestone dissolves as the water percolates through its pores, an extended underground drainage system is developed with caves and channels that enlarge with the time when their roofs collapse producing rocky exposures and perpendicular slopes. For the same reason, the water is scarce, and only when an impenetrable stratum is met, the water appears on the surface. This hiking activity has a difficulty grade of 4 and could require some route-finding skills.

Included
  • Greek Adventure English speaking guide during the hike
  • Snacks for the hiking (dry fruits, cookies)
  • Third party insurance
  • Local transport
Excluded
  • Meals
  • Optional tips to guides
Do not forget to bring
  • Sport or trekking shoes
  • Shorts and long trousers for walking
  • Preferably quick-drying material (cotton or polycotton, not denim)
  • Sunglasses
  • Towel
  • Sun hat
  • Sun block
  • Water bottle
  • Photographers: bring your cameras
  • Walking sticks (we can provide sticks on request)
  • Water
  • Small backpack
100% secure payments
by credit card or Paypal
Meeting point
At Monodendri village Get directions

Cancellation policy

Cancellation 4 days or more prior to the agreed activity date
You will be automatically refunded for the full amount for the activity
4 days
Cancellation between 48 and 96 hours prior to the agreed activity date
You are entitled to a 50% refund
48 hrs
Cancellation 48 hours or later prior to the agreed activity date
No refund will be possible
Weather Guarantee
Regardless of the date, if the activity is cancelled due to bad weather conditions, you will be offered a refund or the chance to reschedule