Northern Greece Trekking 2026 — Plan B (Smolikas)

Northern Greece Trekking — Plan B

April 28 – May 7, 2026 · Meteora · Zagori · Smolikas · Mount Olympus

Days

Treks

~85

Km on foot

~8,000

m elevation

Zones

Map

All trip points – click markers for details

Meteora

Zagori

Olympus

Stops

Smolikas

Route

Quick Overview

Block 1 – Meteora

1 night

Rock pillars with suspended monasteries. Full day: Monastery Circuit + Sunset Trail to Holy Trinity, all in one packed day.

Block 2 – Zagori & Vikos

3 nights

Drakolimni Tymfi (Dragon Lake), Vikos Gorge full crossing, Vradeto Steps + stone bridges.

Block 3 – Smolikas

2 nights

Greece's 2nd highest peak. 2 nights at mountain refuge (1,750m), Drakolimni di Smolikas alpine lake trek.

Block 4 – Mount Olympus

2 nights

Mountain of the gods. Enipeas Gorge or E4 trail to the Refuge. Zeus's Bath.

Interactive Map

Click markers for photos, info & trek links

Day-by-Day Itinerary

11 days, packed with trekking — everything in one place

Day 1 – Arrival in Thessaloniki

Apr 28 Tue

Late night flight. Pick up rental car at the airport. Overnight near airport or city center.

🌙 Sleep: Thessaloniki (airport hotel or city center)

Day 2 – Thessaloniki → Meteora (FULL DAY)

Apr 29 Wed

Early start ~7:00. Drive ~3h to Kastraki.
Morning (10:30-15:00): Monastery Circuit (T2).
Break + visit monasteries (modest clothing required).
Sunset (17:30-20:00): Sunset Trail to Holy Trinity (T1). Best light of the trip!

Total: ~6-8h trekking. Sunset at ~20:15 so plenty of time. Bring headlamp for return.

Meteora T2 – Monastery Circuit

4-5h

Duration

~8 km

Distance

500-600m

Elevation

Moderate

Difficulty

Wikiloc GPX Meteora Trails M1+M2+M8

Check monastery hours. Modest clothing. Water at monasteries.

Meteora T1 – Sunset Trail (Holy Trinity)

2-3h

Duration

~4 km

Distance

400-500m

Elevation

Easy-Med

Difficulty

Wikiloc GPX Meteora Trails M6

Perfect at sunset. Headlamp for return. 1L water.

🌙 Sleep: Kastraki (Meteora views guesthouse)

Day 3 – Meteora → Zagori via Metsovo

Apr 30 Thu

Morning: Drive 1h to Metsovo. Explore village, try metsovone cheese.
Lunch in Metsovo, drive 1h30 to Mikro Papingo.
Afternoon: Papingo Rock Pools (T3).

Zagori T3 – Papingo Rock Pools

3-4h

Duration

8.9 km

Distance

425m

Elevation

Moderate

Difficulty

Wikiloc GPX

Natural rock pools at 1,073m. Very cold in late April! One-way trail, 858–1,073m altitude.

🌙 Sleep: Mikro Papingo (stone guesthouse, night 1 of 2)

Day 4 – Drakolimni (Dragon Lake)

May 1 Fri

THE HIGHLIGHT TREK. Start 7:00 AM. Mikro Papingo → Astraka Refuge (1,950m) → Drakolimni (2,050m).
Poles essential. Carry 2L water (refill at refuge).
Warning: possible snow above 1,800m.

Zagori T4 – Drakolimni (Dragon Lake)

6-8h

Duration

~14 km

Distance

1,200-1,400m

Elevation

Mod-Hard

Difficulty

Wikiloc GPX

Most demanding trek. Snow above 1,800m. Poles essential. Start 7 AM. 2L water.

🌙 Sleep: Mikro Papingo (same guesthouse, night 2 of 2)

Day 5 – Vikos Gorge Crossing

May 2 Sat

Early morning: Drive from Mikro Papingo → Vikos village (~20min). Park the car at Vikos village.
~7:30 AM: Start Vikos Gorge crossing (T6, reverse direction: Vikos → Monodendri) – world's deepest canyon (Guinness!). Trail O31, walls up to 1,350m. Voidomatis springs at the bottom, turquoise water.
~13:30: Arrive at Monodendri (end of gorge). Rest, celebrate at taverna!
Afternoon: Get back to Vikos village for the car (see options below). Evening: visit stone bridges near Kapesovo – Kokkorou (Noutsos), Plakidas (Kalogeriko, iconic 3-arch), and Misios.

Zagori T6 – Vikos Gorge Crossing

6-7h

Duration

12 km

Distance

1,000↓+600↑

Elevation

Moderate

Difficulty

Wikiloc GPX

World's deepest canyon (Guinness). Walls 1,350m. Trail O31. Bring 2L water, poles recommended.

🚗 Car logistics – car is at Vikos village! After finishing in Monodendri, you need to get back ~24km by road to Vikos village. Options:

Option 1 – Taxi/local driver (recommended): Ask taverna in Monodendri to call a taxi or local driver. ~20-40€, ~40min. Very common – locals are used to trekkers! Arrange in advance with your Papingo guesthouse if possible.

Option 2 – Hike Monodendri → Kapesovo → Vikos: From Monodendri, walk to Kapesovo (~1h, trail) then continue down to Vikos village (~30min). Gets you back to the car on foot (~1h30 total, scenic!).

Option 3 – Extend trek via Vradeto Steps: From Monodendri, hike to Kapesovo → Vradeto Steps → Beloi viewpoint (~3h extra, steep). Then descend to Vikos village for the car. Makes it a longer day but adds a highlight.

Option 4 – Sleep in Monodendri, taxi next morning: If you're tired, stay in Monodendri. Next morning, taxi to Vikos village (~20min, ~15€) to pick up the car before heading to Smolikas.

🌙 Sleep: Monodendri (if Option 4) or back to Vikos village area (if Options 1-3, then drive to sleep spot)

Day 6 – Vradeto Steps + Beloi → Smolikas Refuge

May 3 Sun

7:30 AM: If you slept in Monodendri: taxi to Vikos village (~20min, ~15€) to pick up the car. If you already got the car last evening, skip this step.
~8:00: Drive Vikos village → Kapesovo/Vradeto area (~15min). Vradeto Steps (T5) – 1,200 historic steps, 39 hairpins from the 1700s. Continue to Beloi viewpoint: jaw-dropping 800m view into Vikos Gorge!
~11:00: Return to car. Drive toward Smolikas via Konitsa.
Route: Vikos village → Ioannina ring road → Konitsa (~1h30). Lunch in Konitsa.
~14:00: Konitsa → Pades village (~30min). From Pades, dirt/gravel road ~7km to the Smolikas Refuge parking area (1,450m). Road is passable by normal car but slow – 30min.
~15:00: Short walk from parking to Rifugio Smolikas (1,750m), ~45min uphill. Settle in, enjoy the mountain sunset!

Zagori T5 – Vradeto Steps + Beloi

2-3h

Duration

4.6 km

Distance

350m

Elevation

Easy-Med

Difficulty

Wikiloc GPX

1700s staircase. 1,200 steps, 39 hairpins. Vikos view from 800m above!

🚗 Car logistics: Car is at Vikos village (from Day 5). If you slept in Monodendri, get taxi to Vikos first. Drive ~2h30 total: Vikos village → Konitsa (1h30) → Pades (30min) → dirt road to parking (30min). From parking, ~45min walk up to refuge.

⛰ Smolikas Refuge (1,750m): Basic mountain hut. Bring sleeping bag liner. Water from spring. Check availability before departure! Contact the Greek Alpine Club (EOS Konitsa).

🌙 Sleep: Smolikas Refuge (1,750m) – mountain night under the stars!

Day 7 – Drakolimni di Smolikas

May 4 Mon

Start 6:30 AM from refuge. Trek to Drakolimni di Smolikas (T10) – alpine lake at 2,180m on Greece's 2nd highest mountain (2,637m). Similar to Drakolimni Tymfi but wilder and less visited!
~12:00: Return to refuge. Relax, explore surroundings.
Afternoon: Rest at refuge, enjoy the mountain atmosphere. Second night at altitude!

⛰ Optional Smolikas summit (2,637m): Add ~2h extra. Only if conditions are good, no snow on ridge, and you feel strong. Check with refuge keeper the evening before!

Smolikas T10 – Drakolimni di Smolikas

7-8h

Duration

~13 km

Distance

~900m

Elevation

Mod-Hard

Difficulty

Wikiloc GPX

Alpine lake at 2,180m. Wilder than Tymfi Drakolimni! Possible snow in early May. Poles essential. 2L water.

🌙 Sleep: Smolikas Refuge (night 2 of 2)

Day 8 – Smolikas → Litochoro (Transfer Day)

May 5 Tue

Early start ~7:00 AM. Descend from refuge to car parking (~45min).
~8:00: Start drive to Litochoro. Long transfer day!
Route: Pades → Konitsa (30min) → Egnatia Odos → Litochoro (~3h30). Total ~4h.
~12:00: Arrive Litochoro, check in, lunch.
Afternoon: Light walk in Lower Enipeas (1-2h, wooden bridges, Zeus's Bath) or explore Litochoro village.

🚗 Car logistics: Car at Smolikas parking from Day 6. Descend from refuge (~45min), then drive Pades → Konitsa → Egnatia → Litochoro (~4h). Toll ~€15.

🌙 Sleep: Litochoro (night 1 of 2)

Day 9 – Olympus: Choose Your Adventure

May 6 Wed

Your one full day at the Mountain of the Gods. Pick one:

Option A – Mount Olympus E4 to Refuge (T7)

Prionia (1,100m) → Spilios Agapitos refuge (2,040m) → return. Classic E4 trail through beech and black pine forest. 5-7h round trip.
WARNING: Snow likely above refuge in early May. DO NOT attempt Mytikas summit (2,918m) without checking conditions!

Option B – Enipeas Gorge (T8)

Full Enipeas trek (5-7h). Litochoro → Prionia via gorge. Agios Dionysios Monastery (1542), twin waterfalls, cave, Zeus's Bath. Underrated gem!

Olympus T7 – Prionia → Spilios Agapitos

5-7h

Round trip

9 km

Distance

1,000m

Elevation

Moderate

Difficulty

Wikiloc GPX

E4 trail. 1,100m to 2,040m. NO summit in May without proper gear! Refuge has bar/restaurant.

Olympus T8 – Enipeas Gorge (full)

5-7h

Duration

9 km

Distance

800m

Elevation

Moderate

Difficulty

Wikiloc GPX

Monastery (1542), twin waterfalls, cave, Zeus's Bath. Olympus' best kept secret.

🌙 Sleep: Litochoro (night 2 of 2)

Day 10 – Return Home

May 7 Thu

Transfer to Thessaloniki (~1h from Litochoro). Drop off car and fly home. If time: morning walk on the waterfront, last souvlaki.

Logistics

Everything you need

🚗 Rental Car ✓ BOOKED

Europcar — Booking #1201220958

Car	Price	Booking	Maps	Info
Suzuki Swift 1.2 (o simile) Economy • 5 porte • Automatico • A/C • Km illimitati	€113,99prepaid • 9 days ~€12,67/day Visa ***808	📄 PDF ID: 128496730	📍 Aeroporto SKG Airport Area Parking 5 55103 Thessaloniki	Pick-up: 28/04 at 21:00 Drop-off: 07/05 at 21:00 Tel: +30 211 190 3000 Deposit: €233,87 ⚠ Bring licence + credit card + passport

⚠ Fill up BEFORE Zagori (last station: Metsovo/Ioannina). Cash for tolls (~€35 total). Free cancellation up to 48h before pick-up.

Transfers

Route	Km	Time	Toll
Thessaloniki → Kalambaka	~230	~3h	~€15
Kalambaka → Metsovo → Papingo	~170	~2h30	free
Papingo → Vikos village	~15	~20min	free
Monodendri → Vikos village (taxi return)	~24	~40min	~€20-40
Vikos village → Konitsa	~70	~1h30	free
Konitsa → Pades → Smolikas parking	~40	~1h	free (dirt road)
Smolikas parking → Konitsa → Litochoro	~310	~4h	~€15
Litochoro → Thessaloniki	~90	~1h	~€5

Weather (late Apr / early May)

Valleys: 15-25°C. Altitude: 5-15°C. Rain possible. Snow above 1,800m. Daylight 6:30-20:15.

Accommodation

Apr 28 — Thessaloniki Airport hotel, 1 night

Hotel	Price	Booking	Maps	Info
Calma by Aegean Luxury Living – Vardaris ✓ BOOKED	€46	📄 PDF	📍 Maps	Tel: +30 694 726 9376 Check-in 15:00–00:00

Apr 29 — Kalabaka Meteora, 1 night

Hotel	Price	Booking	Maps	Info
Meteora House – Cozy Living ✓ BOOKED	€42,10	📄 PDF	📍 Maps	Tel: +30 698 172 3470 Check-in 14:00–00:00

Apr 30 — Mikro Papingo 1 night

Hotel	Price	Booking	Maps	Info
Traditional Rooms Karaouli — Papigko ✓ BOOKED Breakfast incl.	€87	📄 PDF	📍 Maps	Tel: +30 2653 041894 Check-in 13:00–22:00

May 1 — Vikos, Zagori 1 night

Hotel	Price	Booking	Maps	Info
Karpouzis Guesthouse ✓ BOOKED Breakfast incl.	€74	📄 PDF	📍 Maps	Tel: +30 694 984 5752 Check-in 13:00–21:00 No WiFi!

May 2 — Vradeto After Vikos Gorge. Car at Vikos village

Hotel	Price	Booking	Maps	Info
Balkoni Zagoriou ★★★ ✓ BOOKED Breakfast incl.	€95	📄 PDF	📍 Maps	Tel: +30 2653 071702 Check-in 14:00–23:00

End at Monodendri → taxi back or hike to Vikos village for car. See Day 5 options.

May 3 – 4 — Smolikas Refuge (1,750m) Mountain hut, 2 nights

Hotel	Price	Booking	Maps	Info
Smolikas Refuge — EOS Konitsa Alt. 1,750m • Basic mountain hut	€72€18/pers/night × 2 pers × 2 nights	TO BOOK Tel: +30 698 983 7704	📍 Refuge 🚗 Parking	Check-in: arrange with keeper Bring: sleeping bag liner Water from spring Parking: ~300m before refuge (1,670m) Dirt road 7km from Pades

May 5 – 6 — Litochoro Olympus base, 2 nights

Hotel	Rating	Price	Notes
Uncle Tam — Litochoro	8.3	~€130~€65/n	★ My fav
Hephaestus Appartments A2 — Litochoro	9.6	~€142~€71/n
Mythic Valley — Litochoro	9.4	~€164~€82/n
Epineio Comfort Living — Litochoro	9.8	~€176~€88/n

Gear

Hiking boots (broken in!) · Trekking poles · Waterproof jacket · Thermal layer · Headlamp · Sunscreen+hat · 2L bottle · Swimsuit

Apps & Trail Maps

Wikiloc (offline GPX) · Meteora Trails (M1-M8 interactive map) · Visit Meteora (monasteries + trails map) · Maps.me/OsmAnd · Google Maps offline

Emergency

112 · Ambulance 166 · Police 100 · Mountain rescue 1166 · mountolympus.gr

Tips

Cash only in Zagori tavernas. Buy snacks in Kalambaka/Ioannina. Spring water fountains everywhere.