Vikos Gorge

Vikos Gorge cuts through the Pindus Mountains in the Zagori region of Epirus, northwestern Greece, and is listed by Guinness World Records as the deepest canyon in the world in proportion to its width. Limestone walls rise up to about 1,000 metres above the Voidomatis river bed, and the gorge lies within Vikos-Aoos National Park. The classic route is the hike from Monodendri to Vikos village, about 12 kilometres and five to seven hours, descending by stone steps and forest trails to the river bed and then following the valley floor. The walk passes the monastery of Agia Paraskevi, perched on the cliff edge beside Monodendri, and the spring-fed pools along the river. Those who prefer a shorter outing can drive to the Oxya viewpoint above Vikos village or the Beloi viewpoint near Vikos, both reached by a short walk from the road and offering broad views down the canyon. A full-day hike requires early starts, sturdy footwear, water and a plan for transport back, since the villages at either end are 15 to 30 minutes apart by road. The upper reaches also link to the Papigo area and the Rogovo rock pools. Crowds are modest even in peak season, with weekends in late spring and autumn the busiest, while summer afternoons can be hot at the bottom of the gorge. The Voidomatis river is cold and water levels vary, and sections of the lower trail can be slippery after rain. Spring brings flowers and higher water, and autumn brings colour in the beech and plane trees. There is no entrance fee for the gorge, and local mountain guides can be hired through the Zagori villages. Many visitors base themselves in Monodendri, Vikos or Papigo and combine the hike with a visit to the stone bridges of Zagori.