The hike begins at an elevation of 1050 meters, with the trail starting just outside the village of Pades on the road towards Armata. There is a small parking area available just before the trailhead.

The route begins with a sign at point D1 directing towards the Church of Mikri Panagia and continues downhill, passing by a small chapel. About 1600 meters from the start, just before reaching the Aoos River, you’ll find a sign at point D2 where you turn left. The waterfall is located at an elevation of 750 meters, offering a vertical drop of 300 meters.

The journey to the enchanting Milopotamos Waterfall will captivate you from start to finish.

Walking through the lush green forest, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

This hike offers an unforgettable experience, with the perfect reward waiting at the end: the waterfall and its small pond, inviting you to cool off and be mesmerized by their beauty.

A fairy-tale setting that is truly worth experiencing!

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<p>The post A small paradise: Milopotamos Waterfall in Pades Konitsa 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>