Northern Pindos

The Northern Pindos National Park is located in the northwestern part of the Pindus mountain range. It is the largest terrestrial national park in the country. Within its boundaries it includes the whole of Zagori, parts of Konitsa and Metsovo, and the western part of the Prefecture of Grevena.

The mountainous character of the Park is defined by the mountains of Smolikas (the second highest mountain in Greece, 2,637 metres), Tymfi, Lygkos, Vasilitsa and Mitsikeli, offshoots of Tsourgiakas and Orliakas, and part of Zygos, where Northern and Central Pindos meet.

The Park's mountain lakes, the famous Drakolimnes (Dragon Lakes), are of particular interest. They are the southernmost mountain lakes in Europe remaining from the Ice Age. The largest, the Tymfi Drakolimni, lies on a plateau at an altitude of 2,050 metres. It is elliptical in shape, with a surface area of approximately 8 stremmata. Its waters are clear and it is very deep. The lake is very poor in life. The best-known animal living in its waters is the alpine newt, probably a relic of the Ice Age. The second Drakolimni is that of Smolikas, also known as Ntivirliga. It lies at an altitude of 2,150, is smaller than the Tymfi lake, with a surface area of 3–4 stremmata, and is also deep with low biodiversity. Smaller but equally important are the Flegga lakes, as well as the lake-marsh of Avgo in Valia Calda.

Another impressive feature of the Northern Pindos National Park is its gorges and ravines: the Vikos Gorge and the Aoos Gorge in the Prefecture of Ioannina, and the Portitsa, Mikrolivado and Tsourgiakas gorges in the Prefecture of Grevena.

The Vikos Gorge is the dominant and most impressive geomorphological formation in Zagori. With its wild and imposing beauty, rich fauna, vegetation and flora, torrents rushing down its sheer walls, caves and inaccessible ledges, the Vikos Gorge starts from Tsepelovo, cuts through the Tymfi massif and ends at the springs of the Voidomatis. The main gorge, about 10 kilometres long, begins at Vitsa and Monodendri and reaches the village of Vikos. The Vikos Gorge was listed in the 1997 Guinness Book as the deepest and narrowest in the world, with a depth of 900 metres and a width ranging from 100 to 1,100 metres. The views of the gorge are magical, especially from the village of Vradeto (Beloi viewpoint) and from the Oxya viewpoint above Monodendri.

The ravine through which the Aoos River flows is also particularly impressive. The Aoos Gorge is one of the most popular destinations for outdoor recreation. It is enclosed by the cliffs of Tymfi and Trapezitsa. Its depth is approximately 1,500 metres and its length 8 kilometres, while its width ranges from 300 to 2,500 metres. The gorge opens up between sheer slopes, yet there are also spots where one can enjoy a refreshing swim. To reach the gorge, follow the waymarked trail that starts from the historic single-arched stone bridge of Aoos, a masterpiece by craftsmen from Pyrsogianni (1870). Sheltered among the steep rocks lies the Stomio Monastery (1774), which, beyond its historical importance, offers impressive views of the gorge.