Agia Paraskevi or Kerasovo is a beautiful mountain village of Konitsa Municipality, Ioannina Prefecture. It is built on the northwestern slopes of Smolika, at an altitude of 970m. The visitors are impressed by the landscapes with their untouched natural beauty and the abundant waters, as well as the large square of the village which is surrounded by stone buildings and covered by centuries-old plane trees.

We will taste local dishes and spend the night at a guesthouse.

Distance: 14km – Duration: 7 hours

We wake up and after having our breakfast we start for Smolikas Dragonlake.

On our path, we will cross one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Greece with beautiful forests of black pine, beech, fir and rombolo (white pine). We will find springs with water and spot with magnificent view to rest.

Second in size after Gamilas Dragonlake, but of equal beauty, is the dragon lake of Smolikas or Lyga as it is otherwise called. In Vlach it is called Divirliga. It is located at an altitude of 2,200 meters below the cone formed by the peak of Smolikas. It has an area of 3 to 4 acres, with a circumference of about 375 human paces, but is of great depth. It is heart-shaped and its bottom turns red, while newts swim in its waters. Beautiful with violas, orchids, marigolds, saxifrages and lilies in the lakeside areas, one thinks one is in an alpine landscape. 

If we have time and we can head to Smolikas peak at an altitude of 2,637m

Then we head back to Agia Paraskevi to rest and prepare for the next day.

Distance: 14km – Duration: 6 hours

Moutsalia lake is hidden in a dense beech forest, creating a unique landscape that cannot be found in any other region of our country.

The dense forests that surround it, combined with its relative isolation, give the lake enormous ecological value with many rare species of fauna living in the surrounding area.

The beech trees around the lake reach the banks, while its bottom is covered by a dense aquatic vegetation, which gives a beautiful green color to its waters.

Overnight in Aetomilitsa.

Distance: 12km – Duration: 6 hours

Grammousta was a historic Vlach town that in its heyday (17th-18th century) was inhabited by 15,000 souls. Built at an altitude of 1,380m on the slopes of Grammos, it was a brilliant economic center of the region. Unfortunately, from the time of Ali Pasha until the end of the Greek civil war, a series of bad events led to its abandonment and complete desolation.

In the alpine meadows of Grammos, at an altitude of 2,350m, is the alpine lake with the highest altitude in Greece, Gkistova. Hidden in a small alcove between the highest peaks of Grammos, right on the border line, Gkistova maintains its waters all year round and is a rare type of habitat by Greek standards.

If there is time we can hike to the peak of Grammos, Tsouka Petsik, at 2,523m.

Distance: 12km – Duration: 6 hours

Amarantos, known for its thermal baths, is built on the eastern slopes of the latter peaks towards the south of Grammos (Kamenik, altitude 2,040m and Maria, altitude 1637m). 

The temperature of the springs ranges from 33°-38° C, with humidity reaching 97-100%. This air escapes from the interior of the earth through 15 fissures, thus making the Amarantos Baths unique of their kind in the whole of Europe.

The houses are basically stone built and a large number of churches are visible while the patron saint of the village is Saint George. A characteristic feature of the area are the three stone fountains, the oldest being the fountain of Doumnos, which is an example of local architecture.

Stone arched bridges, gurgling clear waters, stone mahalades and rich vegetation are some of the characteristics of Amaranto.

Kamenik, the last stronghold of the Democratic Army, was captured by the National Army. It was the military end of the Civil War, of this cruel confrontation that had begun in 1946 and had claimed the lives of thousands of Greeks. With the raising of the Greek flag on the Kamenik hill in Grammos, on August 29, 1949, the civil war officially ended.

Our hike to Kamenik will delight you! On these routes, let’s not forget to mention the wonderful stone-built mill of the village as well as the bridge of Ziasaka, which deserve your attention.

Distance: 8km – Duration: 4 hours

In the ravine of Aoos, starting from the bridge of Konitsa, between the slopes of Tymfi and Trapezitsa, is the Monastery of Stomio. The route is very easy and parallels the Aoos where someone can swim. It reaches the Monastery after a hiking of about 2 hours and the view towards the Aoos gorge is unique.