Menu
Menu
Pack your backpack and get into the van. The adventure begins! Arrive at the mountainous, picturesque little village, unpack your stuff, and relax in the cozy traditional mountain guesthouse. Wake up early in the morning and feel the embrace and aura of Greece’s second-highest mountain while enjoying your delicious breakfast and a cup of hot coffee. Prepare your backpack and put on your hiking boots. The trekking begins! Walk through the lush forest and feel the tranquility it exudes. Have a sip of water from the cool spring. Admire the alpine meadows and observe the surrounding tall peaks. Ascend a little further until you reach the well-hidden Dragon Lake. Leave your backpack behind and become a child again, running around the beautiful alpine meadow surrounding the lake. It’s time to enjoy a hearty mountaineer’s meal and take in the beauty that unfolds around you. Return to the guesthouse, take a bath, and it’s time for the traditional tsipouro, stories, and laughter. Relax, and in the morning, get ready for the next adventure. Enter the trail and descend to the river. Rest on its banks, sipping a cup of coffee, refreshing your feet in the crystal-clear waters, and reflect on all the magical moments you’ve experienced during these three days.
Learn this too:
With its peak at 2,631 meters, Mount Smolikas is the second tallest mountain in Greece. It borders with Vasilitsa and Tymphe (Gamila), while a little further north, you can find Mount Grammos. The entire area is considered of utmost ecological importance, where due to limited human intervention, it serves as one of the most significant wildlife refuges in Greece.
On its slopes, you can encounter black pine, fir, beech, as well as a variety of deciduous trees. In their shade, there are shelters for bears, wolves, various bird species, and reptiles. Near the highest peak of Smolikas, there lies Drakolimni, one of the few alpine lakes in the country and the habitat of the protected alpine newt – a rare amphibian measuring 8 to 12 cm long, resembling a tiny dragon.
According to a local myth, two dragons used to live in the Drakolimni of Smolikas and Tymphe, engaged in a battle with each other, throwing stones back and forth. Even today, the Drakolimni of Smolikas has white stones on its shores and black stones at its bottom, while the opposite occurs in Tymphe. Another local legend states that one night, a large wild ram emerged from the waters of Smolikas’ Drakolimni. The ram beckoned the sheep grazing on the mountain around the lake. The lake swallowed the herds, and since then, shepherds avoid grazing their livestock near the Drakolimni to prevent a similar fate for their animals.
We depart from Thessaloniki at 18:00 heading to Pades village.
After about 3,5 hours, we will reach the village of Pades, where we will have free time to take a shower, and enjoy local delicacies at the traditional mountain guesthouse “Munti Smolikas“, as well as to relax and rest.
After waking up early in the morning, we will have our breakfast and coffee in the beautiful courtyard of the guesthouse, gazing at the magical view.
Then, we will pack our stuff and set off for the neighboring village of Palioseli, where our hiking adventure will begin at an altitude of approximately 1,700 meters. We will initially hike through dense forests and then ascend into an alpine landscape. The changing scenery is breathtaking, and the mountain’s energy surrounds us with every step.
After about 2.5 hours, we will reach the famous Dragon Lake of Smolikas. Its beauty is beyond words. There, we will relax and savor the “Mountaineer’s Meal,” a delicious surprise meal. We will return via the same trail.
In the late afternoon, we will get back to the guesthouse, where we can unwind by sharing stories about the village and its history.
For those interested, you can also indulge in the traditional local tsipouro accompanied by delectable homemade appetizers provided by the hospitable locals.
After waking up in the morning, we will have our breakfast, prepare our backpacks, and descend to the starting point of the beautiful circular route that leads to the Aoos River.
The scenery will mesmerize you. After 1 hour, we will reach the Aoos River, where we will relax and make our coffee on its beautiful bank.
After returning to the guesthouse, those who wish can enjoy a delicious lunch.
After indulging in these magnificent views, we will gradually journey back to Thessaloniki, carrying with us a sense of relaxation and tranquility from this enchanting Mountain Retreat.
Participation registration is completed by making a deposit of 70 euros either into the following Eurobank account:
ΙΒΑΝ: GR52 02600 14000 02702 01187 955
Beneficiary: VARVATIS DIMITRIOS MILTIADIS or through Iris Payments: 6978788183
(**The banking charges that can arise from depositing funds from another bank burden the customer.)
The deposit can be refunded until 4 October, 2024. After this specific date, the deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable, except in the case of trip cancellation by the travel agency.
The remaining participation fee must be paid no later than October 8 , 2024. From October 8, 2024 onwards, no refunds or transfers to other trips are possible due to the scheduled expenses of the excursion.