How to reach Voidomatis springs

The springs are located at the beginning of the trail that starts from the village of Vikos and ends in the village of Monodendri. The hiking route we recommend to reach them begins at the village of Vikos, starting at the traditional fountain at the entrance of the village. As we walk, a magical landscape unfolds before us, with lush greenery and wild beauty.

The intense geological processes over millions of years have shaped this gorge of stunning beauty. To the left, the sheer cliffs of Tymfi, and to the right, Stouros offer impressive views.

After about 45 minutes of descent, we reach the location of the springs, a magical landscape. Beneath the enlarged rock called “Agkastromeni” lie the main springs of the Voidomatis.

Right next to them is the stone-built chapel of the Monastery of Panagia of Vikos, which was built in 1783.

<p>The post Hiking to Voidomatis springs: A unique experience in Vikos gorge first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

The road is gravel, and a regular car can reach about 300 meters from the refuge.

The trail from the refuge to Dragon Lake is uphill and passes through forests of black pines, beeches, and oaks.

After about an hour and a half of hiking, we reach 2,000 meters, where the landscape opens up and the vegetation becomes sparse, as we are in the alpine zone.

Before us rises the summit of Smolikas at 2,637 meters, while behind us, the imposing Timfi mountain range can be seen, resembling a painting.

A little later, after approximately 3.5 kilometers, our trail intersects with the one that starts from the village of Pades and also leads to Dragon Lake. From this point on, the two routes merge.

After about 2 hours of hiking from the refuge, we reach the enchanting Dragon Lake. We take a short break for photos and food, and then continue towards the summit of Smolikas.

The trail is of moderate difficulty and particularly steep. Although it was summer, the weather conditions were favorable with a temperature around 25 degrees and cloud cover, which made the ascent easier.

The impressive views throughout the entire trail were a unique experience. After about an hour, we reach the summit, although in different weather conditions, the ascent might take longer due to the steep incline of the path near the top.

The path (from the refuge) is clearly marked and well-signposted, with a total duration of about 3 to 3.5 hours for the 7 kilometers of the trail. It is a wonderful hiking route that can be comfortably completed in a single day.

<p>The post Conquering Dragon Lake and the Summit of Smolikas: An Unforgettable Hiking Experience first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>