Tumfi | Drakolimni & peaks

Zagorochoria | Astrakas Refuge

_our excursion

A beautiful route, one of the most popular in Greece, which starts from the village of Mikro Papigo and is characterized by the many alternations of landscapes. We start our hike from the cobblestone mines of the village, continue through forests with oaks and mountain cypress to meet bare lakes, dry rocks, alpine meadows and end up in airy saddles and at the top of the mountain near 2000m, where the dragon lake is located. Alpine lakes (remains of glaciers) that form at high altitude are characterized as drakolimnes (dragon lakes). The drakolimni of Tymfi is located in the alpine meadow of Tymfi, at an altitude of 2,050 m., it has an area of about 8 acres and is known for the alpine newts that it hosts in its waters. On the two-day hiking tours, there is an ascent up to drakolimni, while on the three-day tours, it is possible to reach the peaks of Gamila and Lapatos.

_three-day excursion

hiking | crossing M.Papigo – Astraka refuge – Tsepelovo | Drakolimni Lapatos peak (2,254m) or Gamila peak (2,497m) | 31km | of medium/demanding difficulty | ages: 14+ On the three-day excursion we leave Thessaloniki on the morning of Saturday June 22 for the village of Mikro Papigo and start our hike to the Astrakas mountain refuge (6km | 3 – 3.5 hours), where we will spend the night. On Sunday you can choose whether to follow the group that will climb the Gamila peak (very good physical condition is required) or the group that will head to Drakolimni. In the afternoon, those who wish can follow a climb to the top of Lapatos to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view. On Monday (Holy Spirit Day), after taking breakfast we will take the path to Tsepelovo passing through the beautiful alpine plateaus of Tymfi. Arriving at the beautiful capital village of Zagori, we will have free time to eat before heading back.

_two-day excursion

hiking | ascent to the Drakolimni of Tymfi | 18km | moderate/demanding difficulty | ages: 14+

On our two-day excursion, we leave Thessaloniki early on Saturday morning for the village of Mikro Papigo and start our hike to the Astraka mountain refuge (6km | 3 – 3.5 hours), where we will spend the night. On Sunday we make the ascent to Drakolimni (3km | 1.5 hours each way), where we will have the opportunity to enjoy and photograph the breathtaking scenery! On the way back we will stop at the Astraka refuge to collect our things and take the return path to Mikro Papigo, where we will have the opportunity for coffee, food and a stroll in the beautiful, picturesque village.