Zaggori:Swimming in Zagori

Swimming in Zagóri

Evaluation: If you need a day off or if it is very hot, a refreshing bath can be very pleasant, even in Zagóri. This is quite possible in some places: starting from Tsepélovo, you can look for freshness in the triple cascade in Iliochóri; starting from Pápingo, one can find the opportunity of bathing in the Voidomátis or in the Drakólimni or in the Ovíres between Mikró and Megálo Papingo. All these places deserve at least **. [July 2015.]* [The translation of this walk is made with some help of Google translate - so, please, do not mind the mistakes...] Estimated time: The AWT to the waterfall in Iliochóri is a little less than half an hour, for the way out as well as for the return. For the other estimated times, see the relevant walks. Route description 1 to the "Balta di Striga" cascade in Iliochóri: [Starting from Tsepélovo, one can reach Iliochóri, "the village of the sun", following the scenic winding road that passes through Skamnéli. You continue following the road down until the platía, where there is a nice café...] (0h00) You continue to walk down, starting from the platía, and follow a paved or concrete street; you come to a fork where you go left, but immediately you continue to the right on the stairs (sign "kataráktes" 1070 meters). Once arrived under a beautiful plane tree, you keep to the left and you thus get to a paved trail, which the distances are marked at times. You cross a brook with plenty of water and a bridge. The pleasant trail goes up and down and you get next to a building, where you continue on the other side of the hill (401 m). (0h15) The paved trail is quite steep at the start, then there are steps and a wooden bridge. The trail arrives between pines, you hear the rustle of the water and finally you go down to the left and arrive next to the triple waterfall - there are pools where swimming is delicious - but very cool... (0h26) The waterfall not far from Iliochóri... The return is evident and lasts 30 minutes... Route description 2 to the Ovíres near Pápingo: The natural "pools" of the Ovíres are located next to the road that connects Mikró to Megálo Pápingo - see the walk Mikró Pápingo – Megálo Pápingo - (Ovíres) – Mikró Pápingo. The "Ovíres", with or without water... Route description 3 towards the source of the Voïdomátis: The source of the Voïdomátis, located in the valley beneath Víkos, is a beautiful spot to take a bath, but the water is freezing! The bank of the river, just beneath the Panagía Kímisis tis Theotókou, which is located not far from the source, is also an idyllic place to swim... The source and the river Voïdomátis.		View on the Panagía and on the Voïdomatis, not far from that chapel... See for both bathing possibilities the hike Mikró Pápingo - Víkos and back. Route description 4 along the Voïdomátis: Throughout the hike along the Voïdomátis, between the bridges of Arísti and Klidoniá, there are very nice spots to swim - but again, the water is very fresh... Two swimming possibilities along the Voïdomátis. See the hike Bridge of Arísti – Agii Anárgyri – Bridge of Klidoniá and back. Route description 5 to the Drakólimni: The most spectacular place to swim - at least in summer - is probably the Drakólimni. But the water is cold and watch out for the many biting flies... The reflections in the Drakólimni. See the hike Astráka refuge - Drakólimni and back. In order to get the printer-friendly version with only the text in one column, click here.