- Churches | Monasteries
- Culture | History
- Family friendly
- Hiking | Trekking
- Horseback riding
- Meals included
- Mountain adventures
- Rafting
- Walking
Wild mountains & rivers adventure
Have you even been to a place, unknown to most of the world, but so beautiful and magical, that you want to keep it secret for yourself, yet, at the same time, scream it out to the world? Have you ever thought of Greece as a place with wild and steep mountains, ideal for adventure holidays?
You simply have to join us on our “Wild Mountains & rivers” adventure and discover the secret beauty of the Greek mainland through a range of outdoor activities! Traditional stone-made villages untouched by time, lush fir forests, alpine landscapes, magical lakes and rivers, arch stone bridges, delicious local food and the hospitality of the local people are waiting for you to explore them! Plus you will have the chance to explore the UNESCO site of Meteora beyond the ordinary way!
During this 7day adventure in mainland Greece, you will have the chance to enjoy hydro-biking in a lake, hiking through beautiful mountain paths, rafting and horseback riding in the National Park of Northern Pindos and last but not least, explore Aoos canyon via a spectacular Via Ferrata!
Take advantage of Greece’s mild weather and enjoy a weekly adventure beyond the beaten bath…
This adventure is also ideal for families who love active holidays and are looking to explore destinations through multiple outdoor activities and interesting cultural experiences suitable for the entire family!
Tour Highlights
- Discover Northern Pindos National Park, one of the most pristine areas in Greece
- Visit beautiful and unspoiled traditional mountainous Greek villages
- Explore the magical lake Plastira on a kayak or hydro-bike
- Enjoy horseback riding under the stunning Astraka towers in Zagori
- Climb the Vradeto steps and enjoy the stunning views over Vikos gorge from Beloi viewpoint
- Go rafting in one of Europe’s cleanest rivers, Voidomatis
- Take a Via Ferrata and explore Aoos canyon in an unforgettable way!
- Taste delicious local food and wines
- Follow the paths of the old monks and visit the cliff – top monasteries of Meteora
- Explore Athens and the Acropolis on a guided walking tour
Additional information
| Tour pace | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All travelers, Families |
| Comfort level | Comfort |
| Available | All year round |
| Min. number of participants | 3 |
Day 1: Athens - Lake Plastira - Meteora
On this first morning, your tour leader will pick you up either from your hotel or from a common meeting point in Athens city center and you will depart with direction the dreamy Lake Plastira, a destination that harmonically combines serenity with adventure (approx. 4 hours driving distance). Upon arrival at the lake, you will enjoy picnic lunch by the lakeside, before you set off on exploring the lake on a hydro-bike or canoe/kayak. You can also try your hands at archery!
Activity duration: approx. 1.5 – 2 hours, level of difficulty: easy
In the afternoon, you will head to Meteora, a UNESCO Worldwide Heritage Site and an absolute must see for anyone visiting Greece (1:20hrs drive). Upon arrival in Meteora, we will take you on a tour around this unique landscape, so you can get a first glimpse of the “stone forest”, admire the rock pillars rising 400m over the ground and the monasteries built on top of them! We will make a couple of stops in some of the best viewpoints, so you can admire the breathtaking views and take your postcard-like photos.
Hotel check in and dinner in one of the local restaurants will end this long, yet rewarding day.
Picnic Lunch 
3* Hotel in Meteora
Day 2: Hike Meteora & monasteries – Vitsa
What a better way to wake up rather than admiring the spectacular sandstone rocks of Meteora, rising over 400 m above the ground! After breakfast, we will explore this unique landscape and the impressive clifftop monasteries beyond the ordinary way!
We will follow the ancient paths that the monks used to follow, through the steep rocks, visit some of the monasteries and other hidden gems of Meteora and of course admire the breathtaking views.
(Total Hike duration: 2.5 – 3 hours / Total activity duration, incl. the visit to the monasteries: 4 – 5 hrs / Level of difficulty: easy / Total Distance: 5-6km / Altitude difference: 280m)
After lunch in the great outdoors, you will board our car with destination the stunning area of Zagori (approx. 2.5 hrs driving). First destination will be the beautiful village of Monodendri, located at a height of 1.060m. From the square of the village, you will take the short hiking path to Agia Paraskevi church and enjoy the impressive views over Vikos gorge! Visit to Oxya viewpoint and the stone forest come next.
Hike duration: 1 hour, level of difficulty: easy
Early in the evening, you will check in at a traditional guesthouse in Vitsa village and enjoy homemade dinner.
Breakfast, Dinner Traditional Guesthouse in Vitsa
Day 3: Vradeto steps, Beloi viewpoint & Zagori arch stone bridges
After breakfast, we will drive towards Kapesovo village. From there, following the beautiful stone trail of Vradeto steps, we’ll reach the highest village of Zagori, Vradeto (1450m) and 2km later at Beloi viewpoint (1650m), where we can enjoy striking panoramic views over the gorge!
After lunch, we will explore hiking some of the most important and beautiful arch stone bridges of the area.
Dinner and overnight in Vitsa village
- Kapesovo – Vradeto- Mpeloi (return trail)
| waypoint | altitude | elapsed time | total distance |
| Kapesovo village | 1.150 m | 0’ | 0 m |
| Vradeto steps | 1.060 m | 20′ | 1.100 m |
| Vradeto village | 1.340 m | 1:15′ | 3.300 m |
| Mpeloi viewpoint | 1.450 m | 2:00′ | 5.300 m |
| return reverse (r/f) | 3:50′ | 10.600 m |
Hike duration: 3.5-4 hours / Hiking Distance: 10.6km / Level of difficulty: easy to moderate
- Arch stone Bridges tour (o/w or r/w)
| waypoint | altitude | elapsed time | total distance |
| Kokori Bridge | 700 m | 0 m | |
| Plakida Bridge | 730 m | 20′ | 1.500 m |
| Milou Bridge | 740 m | 50′ | 3.500 m |
| Pitsioni Bridge | 740 m | 1:20′ | 5.000 m |
| Kontodima Bridge | 750 m | 1:40′ | 6.000 m |
| Koukouli village (optional) | 870 m | 2:30′ | 7.800 m |
| Missiou Bridge (optional) | 690 m | 3:10′ | 10.000 m |
*The tour of the arch stone bridges can be done in many different ways, we may hike to all of the bridges or do parts by car (it depends on the travelers’ fitness level, it is a quite flexible trail)
Hike duration: 1.5-3 hours / Distance: 5 – 10 km / Level of difficulty: easy
Total Hike duration: 6-7.5 hours / Level of difficulty: easy to moderate
Breakfast, Snack Lunch, Dinner Traditional guesthouse in Vitsa
Day 4: Papigo: rafting & horseback riding
Prepare yourselves for rafting in one of the clearest rivers in Europe! Starting from the beautiful stone bridge of Aristi, we will cross the National Park of Vikos – Aoos, while rafting across Voidomatis river. This is an easy route, ideal for everyone, yet very impressive because of the river’s crystal clear waters and the surrounding natural landscape.
Activity duration: approx. 1.5 hours in the water – 3.5 hrs total / Level of difficulty: easy
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a nice horseback riding experience in the area around Papigo village. Among the village’s cobblestone paths or the large agricultural fields and small dirt foot paths, we will take you on a fun horse ride around this impressive landscape! Route and duration depend on your experience, but no previous experience is required.
Activity duration: approx. 1 hour / Level of difficulty: easy
Breakfast, Snack lunch Traditional guesthouse in Papigo
Day 5: Via Ferrata in Aoos river/canyon
Get ready for a unique, unforgettable experience today, since you will explore the spectacular Aoos river in an absolutely different and fun way! Just north of Papigo and Mt Tymfi, lies the scenic canyon of Aoos, run by Aoos river and surrounded by majestic mountains, such as Smolikas and Tymfi mountains.
Our activity will start from Konitsa old bridge, which will captivate your eyes! A 45min hike parallel to the river will take us to the beginning of the via ferrata. Two bridges will cross our path, a small one in Gravos of 6-7m length, and a longer one, Aoo’s thibetan, 17m long and 35m high! Several impressive climbs follow, on steel ladders and a vertical rock, 60-70m above water. About half-way we will find some hiking trails, boasting beautiful scenic landscapes and we will end up back at the historic bridge of Konitsa.
**Via Ferrata is a very special activity with extreme character that does not require prior experience. An average level of fitness is required, however one must not be afraid of heights. Minimum age to participate is 16 years old**
Activity duration: approx. 4 – 5 hrs, level of difficulty: easy to moderate
In case you are traveling with young children or you are not confident with heights, we can alternatively offer a hike following a similar route in Aoos canyon. Starting also from the old bridge of Konitsa, we will hike to Moni Stomiou, a historical monastery built in 1774 in between two steep mountain slopes. The path is easy and beautiful and will take you to the monastery within approx. 90min of hike. We will follow the same trail back to Konitsa bridge.
Total Hike duration: 3 – 3.5 hours / Distance: 10km return way / Level of difficulty: easy
In the summer months, you can enjoy a revitalizing swim in the fresh waters of Aoos river!
Breakfast, Snack Lunch Traditional guesthouse in Papigo
Day 6: Rogovos natural pools – return to Athens
Today you will unfortunately have to say goodbye to this wonderful, pristine part of Greece! But before you do so, we will take you to a nearby well-kept gem. Just 10min walk from Papigo village lies a gorgeous small canyon, Rogovos. The stream running down the canyon forms some beautiful natural pools around the unique rock formations. In summertime, you may even dare to dive in the freezing waters!
We will then depart for our trip back to Athens (approx. 5.5 hrs drive), which you will reach early in the evening (around 18:00pm). We will drop you off at your hotel and you will have the evening free to enjoy the city the way you wish.
Breakfast 3* Hotel in Athens
Day 7: Athens & Acropolis Guided tour - Departures
This morning, after breakfast at your hotel, you will enjoy a guided walking tour of Athens city and the archaeological site of Acropolis, a UNESCO Worldwide Heritage Site and the landmark of Athens. You will meet your tour guide in the morning at a designated meeting point and join a superb historical tour. Walk by the Greek Parliament, Syntagma Square, the National gardens, Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch, ending at the Acropolis site. Entering on the south slope of the Acropolis, you’ll visit the Dionysus Sanctuary and Dionysus Theater before you walk up the slope leading to the Acropolis monuments. Panoramic views of the city and insight information in Athens’ ancient history will complete your wonderful active holiday in Greece!
Tour duration: approx. 3.5 hrs (you will finish around 12:00 – 13:00pm).
An afternoon transfer will take you to Athens int. airport to catch your flight back home. End of adventure!
Breakfast
What is included:
Trails Beyond tour leader for the whole trip, local guides & activity instructors
6 days of accommodation in 3* hotels and traditional guesthouses, based on double occupancy
Meals: 6 breakfasts, 4 snack lunches, 2dinners
Airport transfer on day 7, private transportation for the whole trip, fuel consumption and tolls
Entrance fees to 1 Meteora monastery and the archaeological site of Acropolis
Cost for all activities included in the tour program and all the necessary equipment (all hikes, hydro-bikes, rafting, horse riding, canyoning, Athens guided tour)
All taxes
What is not included :
International flights
Travel insurance
Hotel transfers to/from airports other than Athens airport or on other dates pre/post tour
Any meals not specified in the itinerary, any beverages or alcoholic drinks during meals
Optional activities that are not included in the day-to-day itinerary
Other expenses of personal nature and tips
Scheduled departures 2023
| Departs on | Price / person |
| 02 April ’23 | 1.200 € |
| 14 May ’23 | 1.200 € |
| 11 June ’23 | 1.290 € |
| 10 September ‘ 23 | 1.290 € |
| 22 October ‘23 | 1.200 € |
| Single supplement | 190 € |
*Min. number of participants to depart: 4 pax
Prices per person 2023 for private groups:
| Number of guests | Low Season | High Season |
| (Oct-May) | (June-Sept) | |
| 2-3 guests | 1.920 € | 1.980 € |
| 4-5 guests | 1.380 € | 1.420 € |
| 6 -11 guests | 1.190 € | 1.220 € |
| 12 – 16 guests | 1.140 € | 1.140 € |
| Single Supplement | 180 € | 200 € |
*10% Discount for children up to 11 years old
Please read carefully our booking terms & conditions.
Tour Reviews
Enjoyed the trip very, very much and highly recommend Trails Beyond to anyone who wants to travel to Greece beneath the beaten tourist tracks. Danae was such a fantastic guide who really lives her passion to show the unknown parts of her beautiful country to the travellers. Ευχαριστώ πολύ Danae!!!
it was an excellent choice of ours to enjoy a trip under Trails beyond guidance. The places were amazing and it seemed like we wouldn’t find our way around if it wasn’t for Dane, our guide, who revealed to us the most special corners of the area we visited. Rafting in Voidomati was so much fun and the hike through vikos gorge was an unforgettable experience. It’s nice to combine the feeling of safety and adventure without losing the leisure feeling of one’s own holiday! We would repeat it any time and recommend it to everybody!
Exploration, nature, action, history, food, freedom, landscape, stars, moon… this tour was amazing, a big experience. Everybody love exploration and to feel radical have to book it! I hope to do it again. Let me end saying thank you to Danae, ours guide…the best one with the right stuff! Yhooo!!!!!
we never thought that Greece mainland would be so beautiful and there are so many secret places that if it wasn’t for Trails Beyond, we wouldn’t have been there! Combining adventure, culture, good food and hospitality with a great sense of safety, this tour exceeded our expectations! Thank you Danae for this amazing experience! We’ll definitely join you again 🙂
I can’t recommend this tour and Trails Beyond enough. The Greek mountains are breathtakingly beautiful, photos can’t do them justice. The hotels we stayed in were very nice, but the guesthouses were even better, with a real sense of Greek hospitality. Our guides, Danae and Stavros, were so warm and friendly. We were a very small group so it seemed less like a tour, and more like two people showing their friends around their awesome country. The itinerary packed a lot in, but we never felt hurried. The hikes were a bit taxing, but that was part of the appeal. The other activities were all fun and allowed additional opportunities to see the landscape and learn about the area. An unexpected bonus was all the delicious food we ate. This could almost have been a gastronomic tour! All of these combined to make one of the best experiences I have ever had.
As off the beaten track explorers our expectations were high and met, even exceeded in many areas! Danae and Stavros spent the week driving us and sharing many authentic experiences throughout the mountains always smiling and sharing valuable tips. From daily hiking to amazing places (my favourite being the stone bridges day), to meals shared at quiet hotels, drinks in local pubs, rafting on the Papigo River and horse riding through the fir forest, every day was filled with adventure and smiles. Nothing was too much for this pair, sharing sunglasses when mine were broken, adapting walks to suit fitness, tiredness or over enthusiasm to watch a sunrise. Accomodation was always very comfortable in small locally run hotels where we had a chance to chat with the owners and experience local food cooked especially for us, even my husbands difficult dietary requirements were catered for. Stavros was forever ready with his camera snapping amazing shots featuring us that we would not be able to capture. From pickup on day one to drop off on conclusion nothing was too much trouble for these fantastic guides and it was sad to say goodbye. I would recommend Trails Beyond if you are looking for an authentic adventure with plenty of activity. Thankyou Danae and Stavros for our week with you, a highlight of our 8 weeks in Europe!
Trails Beyond went above and beyond to make the most memorable trip to Greece for my Mom and I. From the lovely accommodations, to the daily activities, to the planned meals… everything was so well thought through. Every day was memorable and would have never been able to explore this mountain region of Greece without the guidance of Denae. The villages were incredibly picturesque, the hikes beautiful and interesting, as well as Greece’s cultural daily life we learned along the way. Not to be missed. Can’t thank Stavros and Denae enough for a great week together, we didn’t want them to leave us!
We have just returned from a fantastic week with Trails Beyond. My entire family, including my boys aged 10 and 13 loved the tour. Beautiful scenery and plenty of adventure. It was great to see part of Greece many foreigners miss. Hope to join you again soon on a sailing trip.
Hi Geoff, It was a great pleasure having you on a family adventure with us and meeting you! I also had a lovely time with you and truly hope to see you again!! Big hug from your Greek friend 🙂
Trails Beyond is now my go-to travel agency because of how fantastic my trip was.
Experiencing Zagori and Meteora was an absolute dream. Zagori, Greece is now one of my top 5 favorite places out of the 18 other countries I’ve been to and I wouldn’t have experienced it if it weren’t for Trails and Beyond. Danae did a great job helping me plan and prepare for the trip. She helped book a side trip for me in Santorini which was also fantastic. So grateful for her help. My guide, Stavros, was extremely knowledgeable and on track with everything during the entire tour. I learned more about hiking and Greece than I was expecting to learn. I feel more confident about my hiking abilities after this tour. Stavros even took photos and videos of my co-traveler and me which makes me glad for the memorable captures. Oh and the accommodations at the mountain guesthouses were my favorite. Family owned, they were so warm and welcoming with amazing views, I love it.
Overall, I am super satisfied and impressed with this company!
I was in Greece for 3 weeks and I would say this tour would be one of the highlights of my trip. Loved going off the beaten track and see Greece away from the tourist masses. I liked the small group tour setting as well giving you a more personalised attention from our amazing tour guide Stavros. Loved the traditional village accommodation we stayed at as well as the yummy Greek food. Thanks Trails Beyond for showing me this beautiful part of Greece. I highly recommend for those who enjoy the outdoors with a little bit of adventure ie. horseback riding and white water rafting 🙂
Hi I’an,
Thank you sooo much for your wonderful words and i am very glad to hear you enjoyed your holiday in Greece with us! We are passionate about showing travelers the hidden side of Greece and offering you a more personalized and authentic experience, so it is great to hear you experienced that!
Hope to see you again back in Greece!
Warm regards,
Danae
Awesome tour and guide. Would highlight recommend, even when the weather was bad Stavros had plenty of options on other things to do. He had a great sense of humor and was easy to get along with.
This was a great tour, well organized and lots of fun. Danae was very helpful over email with pre-trip planning and answering all questions promptly. Stavros was a great tour guide – you could tell he loved being out in the mountains and his knowledge of the area was vast. The small group size allowed for customization of the itinerary based on weather and personal preferences. We stayed at some wonderful mountain village guesthouses with fantastic home-cooked meals and warm Greek hospitality. The Vikos Gorge in the Zagori region of NW Greece is a hidden gem to explore, which you won’t find in most guide books. Meteora was breathtaking. If you are looking for an active small group tour that is off the beaten path, away from throngs of tourists, this is the tour for you.
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