Smolikas Mt. Refuge - Trekking routes - Paths - Sights

Smolikas Mountain Refuge

Trekking routes - Paths - Sights - History

Connected paths of the Nat. Park of Northern Pindos

The national park of northern Pindos is crossed over by 2 long distance paths.

The first one is the national path "O3" which has a south-east direction and connects seven villages of Zagori and Konitsa passing through the massifs of Mitsikeli, Tymfi, Smolikas and the Vikos gorge.
The second one is the international long distance path 'E6' which starts from the South-East and leads north, connects five settlements of Metsovo and Grevena, passes through the mountains of Lygos (Arkoydorema, Aygo, Valia Calda), through Vasilitsa and by the feet of Smolikas.

The paths O3 and E6 are interconnected by two other paths with west-east direction that connect areas of Tymfi with the mountains of Lygos and with Metsovo, after passing through Zagori. Apart from the above mentioned ones, there are also many other paths in the area, which are part of the networks "Z" (Zagori), "P" (Pichteio network of Metsovo), "EPPER" (Operational Programm Environment) or of other networks in the area of Konitsa.

*The above map was published by Epirus S.A. in association with the Prefecture of Ioannina and "Arktouros", under the supervision of the Greek Ministry of Public Works, within the framework of the programm "E.P.PER. 2".

Trekking paths on Mt. Smolikas

Palaioseli - Refuge - Drakolimni - Peak > 10 Km 700 m
Agia Paraskeyi - Drakolimni - Peak - Refuge > 18 Km 500 m
Molista - Kleftis - Drakolimni - Refuge > 18 Km 500 m
Samarina - Peak - Drakolimni - Refuge > 20 Km 550 m
Elefthero - Drakolimni - Peak - Refuge > 14 Km 850 m
Pournia - Kleftis - Drakolimni - Refuge > 21 Km 300 m
Pades - Drakolimni - Peak - Refuge > 17 Km
Armata - Peak - Drakolimni - Refuge > 19 Km 500 m

The village Palaioseli

Palaioseli, Pades, Armata and Distrato are the villages of Lakka Aoos, with its main feature the Vlach racial identity (the inhabitants speak both Vlach and Greek) and the engagement in stock farming and other crafts associated with wood exploitation. Palaioseli lies at the confines of Epirus - West Macedonia. The name means old village, possibly indicating that its inhabitants once emigrated and founded a new village. Today the village belongs to the Municipality of Konitsa and is 29 km from it.

In the flaura of the area of the valley of Aoos, the white pine, the rombolo and the beech are dominant. The rich fauna includes amphibia, reptiles, otters, trout, nocturnal raptors and wild animals (wolves, wild boars, foxes, e.t.c.). Palaioseli lies at the point of the valley of Aoos where the National Park Vikos - Aoos meets the respective of Pindos.

The village celebrates on 15th August with folkloric music band, folkloric dances and a feast. The church of St. Paraskeyi is a three-aisled wooden roof basilica with narthex and propylon. It was built in 1864. In the interior, it is all frescoed with murals of the 19th century. The wooden-carved ceiling of 1871 is also noteworthy.

Photographs from the area

Smolikas Mt. Refuge
Konitsa area (Greece)
Mob.+30 6946 670565 - Fax +30 26550.24993
E-mail: info@smolikas.com

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