Vikos Gorge: The Premier Destination for Canyon Activities in Greece
Vikos Gorge, located in the Zagori area of the Epirus region in northwestern Greece, holds the Guinness World Record for being the “deepest relative to its width” gorge in the world. It boasts a depth of approximately 900 meters and a width of just 1100 meters between its rims.
It is part of the greater Vikos–Aoös national park, whose total length surpasses 30 kilometers from Tselepovo to Kleidonia, providing some of the most stunning vistas in Europe.
One can hike the gorge from south to north and also from north to south.
You will propably need around 7 hours in total to complete the hike if you are an experienced hiker, including several snack breaks and photo stops.
I recommend that beginners undertake this hike with a guide, as it is considered to be of moderate to hard difficulty.
The best hiking season runs from May to October, and I would suggest a minimum of four nights. Experienced hikers who wish to delve deeper into the experience could easily spend up to two weeks exploring the Pindos Mountains.
The Vikos Gorge, due to its geological isolation and lack of human interference, is home to unique plant and flower species endemic to Epirus. It is also a habitat for over 110 bird species, 19 varieties of snakes and amphibians, and numerous uncommon butterfly species. Additionally, the Aoos and Voidomatis rivers are inhabited by 7 species of fish.
Photo Credit: AG-ChapelHill
