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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 begin ascending through the beautiful winter landscape. Reach ‘Balcony’ and marvel at the view towards all the surrounding peaks while your coffee is prepared amidst nature
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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 if weather conditions allow, we will 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.
Our second option is to take a wonderful circular route that descends to the Aoos River and ascends again towards the village. It passes through a beautiful forest and gives us the opportunity to visit the two beaches of Aoo, where we will enjoy the mountaineer’s meal!
In the 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 get ready for our short but beautiful hike to the location ‘Balcony’. A small trail of about 3.5 kilometers that meanders through a stunning forest and will reward you with a magnificent view at the end! There, we will prepare our coffee on the camping stove and savor the view towards the peaks of Tymfi and Smolika!”
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.