Drakolimni & Smolikas peak 2.637m

Palaioselli | Smolikas refuge

_our excursion

A unique hiking excursion to Smolika with an overnight stay at the Smolika Mountain Refuge and destination Drakolimni and the peak at 2,637m. The dense forests of black pines, beeches, firs and rombolas & the alpine meadows that we will cross until we reach the drakolimni are considered to be among the most beautiful – wild areas of Greece. On the three-day excursions we hike up to the Drakolimni & the top, while on the two-day tours only for Drakolimni.

_accommodation

The mountai refuge of Smolikas is a stone building with rooms for 6 people. It is located at an altitude of 1750m, at the foot of Mount Smolikas, at the location ‘La Nane’, surrounded by a dense white pine forest (robolo) and is a station for the mountaineering path O3. After sunset the interior of the shelter is illuminated with oil lamps and the absolute absence of light pollution offers a magical spectacle to the sky.
The common areas include the hall with stove, fireplace and two large dining rooms, a shower, and separate men’s/women’s WC. he shelter operates an organized kitchen for all meals of the day, while many of the meals are cooked in a traditional wood oven!

*On the Smolika excursion for your stay you can also choose the camp which will be set up in a controlled area outside the refuge. In the camp you will find a 4-season tent (from 1 to 3 people) while you can use the common areas of the refuge. An important condition is to have a sleeping bag that covers you in the expected temperatures and a good substrate.

_two-day excursion

hiking | Drakolimni of Smolikas | 17km | medium difficulty | ages: 16+

On our two-day excursion we depart early Saturday morning, heading to the village of Paleoselli (1080m altitude), from where we will take the path to the Smolika refuge (1750m altitude). For participants by car, the meeting point is in the village square. The hike takes place on a path and a forest road and is of moderate difficulty (about 4 km).

On Sunday morning we leave for the second part of the route (4.3 km) to Drakolimni of Smolikas through a dense forest of pines and holm oaks and after 1.5 to 2 hours we reach the Drakolimni. After the necessary break to rest and to admire the unique view, we start first for the refuge and then for the village of Paleoselli. Then we will take the road back to Thessaloniki with an intermediate stop for food.

_three day trip (October 28)

hiking | Drakolimni & peak of Smolikas (2.637m) | 22km | medium/demanding difficulty | ages: 16+

On our three-day excursion, we depart on the morning of the first day, heading to the village of Paleoselli (1080m altitude), from where we will begin our walk to the Smolika refuge (1750m altitude). The hike takes place on a path and a forest road and is of moderate difficulty (about 4 km).

On the second day, after having breakfast, we start for the climb with the first destination being Drakolimni. We hike through a forest of pine trees and we reach the Drakolimni after 1.5 to 2 hours. For those who wish and have the required physical condition, we continue to the second highest peak in Greece, the peak of Smolikas at 2,637m. After admiring the unique view, we will make our way back to the refuge, where its hospitable managers will be waiting for us for food, company by the fire and rest.

On the third day, after having our breakfast we will take the path to Paleoselli where the bus will be waiting for us to take us to Konitsa. In Konitsa we will take a walk to its famous stone bridge over the Aoos River and then have free time for lunch. In the afternoon we will start for the return, arriving in Thessaloniki in the evening.