Walking the GreekCanyons, Monasteries& Coves
Walks & Treks
Solos Board
£2238
9 nights in Corfu & Mainland Greece
What to expect
Four Centre Hiking Break
Corfu, Vikos Gorge, Meteora & Vitsa
Scenic beauty
Experience the iconic Vikos Gorge
Dramatic views
Marvel at UNESCO-listed Meteora
Charming Greek Villages
Explore picturesque Vitsa
About this trip...
What's included?
Return flights & transfers-
Ferry to/from Corfu - Igoumenitsa
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Airport taxes & charges
Twin/double room for sole use
Daily breakfast & 2 x evening dinners - evening dinner in local Tavernas-
1 x picnic lunch
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Fruits, local sweets & mineral water during hikes
Welcome drink
8 fully guided hikes with experienced English-speaking guide including transfers
Dedicated Whatsapp group for your trip-
Free Solos App with all your travel documents
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Fully Financially Protected
What's Extra
- Insurance click here
- Climate Crisis Resilience Tax – €5 per night, payable locally
- Lunches
Itinerary
- Arrive in Corfu
- Corfu to Mainland Greece - Agia Triada & Meteora’s Trinity Trail
- Kastraki & Beyond
- Vlaghava & Meteora
- Aoös National Park
- Vitsa to Dilofo
- Vikos Gorge Hike
- Ioannina, Dodoni back to Corfu
- Avlaki to Kalami
- Departure Day
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrive in Corfu
- Transfer to hotel: 20 mins
- Walk to Corfu Old Town 2km / 1.24 miles
- Overnight near Corfu Town: Sunset Hotel (Three-star)
- Meals included: Dinner
Day Two: Corfu to Mainland Greece - Agia Triada & Meteora’s Trinity Trail
Our first day paints a vivid picture of the journey from Corfu to the mainland, offering both excitement and stunning views. After breakfast we head to the port to catch our ferry to the mainland, where we enjoy a scenic ferry ride across the Ionian Sea, with beautiful views of both Corfu and the mainland. After arriving at the port of Igoumenitsa, we take the Via Egnatia, the modern highway of which follows the ancient Roman road, passing through tunnels and over bridges with snow-capped mountains and wild rivers in the background. We arrive in Kalambaka around lunchtime and have time drop off our bags at the hotel and grab a light lunch before heading out on the afternoon hike. The hike begins in Kalambaka, a town nestled against the dramatic rock formations of Meteora and then take the trail to Agia Triada. The steep ascent provides increasingly stunning views as we climb. The ultimate destination is the Agia Triada Monastery, perched on top of a monolith, offering sweeping vistas of the valley below. Agia Triada was a filming location for the James Bond movie - 'For Your Eyes Only'. If the Agia Triada Monastery is closed, the nunnery of Agios Stefanos is nearby and offers a similarly serene and historical experience.
- Transfer to Corfu Harbour: 15 mins Ferry Corfu to Igourmenitas: 90 mins
- Transfer Igourmenitas Port to Kalambaka: 3 hours
- Hike Kalambaka → Agia Triada → Kalmabaka: 9.5km / 6 miles
- Ascent: +661m Descent: +661m
- Terrain- Rough trails, cobblestone paths, steep dirt paths
- Overnight at Monastri Guesthouse, Kalambaka (three-star)
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day Three: Kastraki & Beyond
Today’s hike is a fascinating blend of natural beauty with rich historical and spiritual significance. The hike begins on a narrow, paved road leading to the village of Kastraki, providing a gentle introduction to the day's adventure. After reaching Kastraki, the trail starts ascending. The climb takes about 30 minutes, winding through an extraordinary landscape of towering rock formations. As you climb, you'll be surrounded by massive rock pillars, the kind that Meteora is famous for. The scale of these natural formations is captivating, offering a glimpse into an ancient world. The trail continues through dense forests, creating a peaceful and secluded atmosphere. Along the way, you'll encounter caves and caverns where hermits once lived in isolation. These caves were once home to ascetic monks, who sought solitude in this remote and spiritual setting.
- Hike Kalambaka → Kastraki → Kalmabaka: 9.5km / 6 miles
- Ascent: +463m Descent: +463m
- Terrain - tarmac road, footpaths and dirt tracks, ocassional steps and dirt inclines
- Overnight: Monastri Guesthouse, Kalambaka (three-star)
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day Four: Vlaghava & Meteora
After breakfast, we take our bus to the village of Vlaghava for the start of today’s hike. The hike begins on a summit near Vlaghava, just outside the Meteora area. The descent from here is gentle, allowing you to soak in the peaceful atmosphere and surroundings. The only sound is the echo of your footsteps in the tranquil silence. The peacefulness, combined with the natural beauty around us, creates a sense of pilgrimage. Along the trail, you might spot buzzards circling high above, keeping watch. Beneath the shade of beech trees, shy Hermann’s tortoises may be hiding, adding a touch of wildlife to the serene landscape. Continuing along the trail, the pillars of Meteora slowly come into view, rising like massive stone sentinels. The sense of awe deepens as you approach these ancient structures, perched dramatically on top of the towering rocks. After crossing some small streams, we arrive at the hidden monastery of Ypapantis, carved into the cliffs.
- Transfer hotel → Vlaghava: 25 mins
- Hike Vlaghava → Kalambaka: 14 km / 8.7 miles
- Ascent: +457m Descent: -1165m
- Terrain - Dirt tracks, ancient stone paths, rocky out crops
- Overnight: Monastri Guesthouse, Kalambaka (three-star)
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day Five: Aoös National Park
Today we check-out of our hotel and take our bus to the Aoös National Park. This protected area is home to the scenic Vikos gorge and the quaint Zogoria villages. The hike begins in Oxia where we will see our first breathtaking view of Vikos Gorge, one of the most impressive canyons in the world. The gorge’s vastness makes for a perfect place to capture a stunning photo that truly highlights the scale and beauty of the landscape. The hike from Oxia leads us through the remarkable Stone Forest, a geological wonder characterized by smooth, stacked towers of slates. Formed over millennia by the forces of wind and weather, these formations create a surreal, almost otherworldly landscape.
- Transfer Kalambaka → Monodendri → Oxia: 3 Hours
- Hike Oxia viewpoint → Monodendri: 4km / 2.5 miles
- Ascent: +111m Descent: -335m
- Terrain - Ancient and rough paths
- Overnight: Archontiko Zarkada Hotel, Monodendri or similar (three-star)
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day Six: Vitsa to Dilofo
After breakfast, we take a short bus ride to Vitsa , a picturesque village where the architecture reflects a deep connection with the natural environment. The dolomite and limestone mansions' distinctive grey slate roof tiles and solid oak wood balconies create a timeless aesthetic that perfectly blends into the surrounding landscape. Our hike begins from the main square, beneath the large plane tree with a descent down the Vitsa Steps. This ancient stone stairway winds its way down the mountain flanks, offering a scenic and sometimes steep route into the valley below. Upon reaching the riverside, the path crosses the Misou Bridge, a graceful arched structure typical of the 18th century.
- Transfer Monodendri → Vitsa: 10 mins
- Hike Vitsa → Dilofo → Monodendri: 12km / 7.45 miles
- Ascent: +719m Descent: -614m
- Terrain - stone steps, ancient paths and dirt tracks
- Overnight: Archontiko Zarkada Hotel, Monodendri or similar (three-star)
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day Seven: Vikos Gorge Hike
Today we make an early start and take our bus to the hamlet of Vikos. Our route takes on a steep, zigzagging descent into the gorge. This section requires focus, but the anticipation of what lies ahead makes it exciting. At the Panagia Springs, about an hour or so into the hike, there's a welcome opportunity to refill water bottles with cool, fresh mineral water. This natural spring offers a brief respite before delving deeper into the gorge where we walk along the Voidomatis stream. Depending on the season, the stream presents different challenges and delights. In spring, it’s a lively river, roaring through the gorge with its rushing waters.
- Transfer Monodendri → Vikos: 45 mins
- Hike Vikos gorge → Monodendri: 13km / 8 miles
- Ascent: 482m Descent: 802m
- Terrain Narrow paths , cobblestone paths, uneven, rough tracks
- Overnight: Archontiko Zarkada Hotel, Monodendri or similar (three-star)
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch
Day Eight: Ioannina, Dodoni back to Corfu
After breakfast, the day begins with a journey to the town of Ioannina, the vibrant capital of Epirus, set beautifully around Lake Pamvotida. Due to its strategic location, Ioannina has long served as a bridge between the East and West. Historically, it thrived as a multicultural town, where Christians, Muslims, and Jews coexisted peacefully, enriching the city’s culture and history. A leisurely stroll through Ioannina's old town reveals its secrets and heritage sites. Among the notable landmarks, we will visit the Fethiye Mosque, a testament to the city's Ottoman past, and the Aslan Pasha Mosque, now a museum showcasing Ioannina’s diverse history.
- Transfer Monodendri → Ionnina → Igoumenitsa - 2.5 hrs with stops and optional activities:
- City walk old city of Ioannina: 1km / 0.62 miles
- Hike Pamvotida island + ferry: 2.5km / 1.6 miles
- Ascent /Descent: 67m
- Terrain - paths
- Visit archeological site of Dodoni
- Ferry Igoumenitsa → Corfu: 1.5hrs
- Transfer Corfu Harbour → Dassia: 45 min
- Overnight: Victoria Hill Hotel (three-star) or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day Nine: Avlaki to Kalami
For our final walk we set off from the beach of Avlaki, in the north of Corfu. The first hour, we’ll traverse the Erimiti area, an unspoiled paradise full of small cute coves separated by small promontories that give beautiful scenery to the landscape. Behind the pristine Akoli beach is a lake, which is portrayed to be very deep.Although the lake, in reality, is not deep, the name means literally bottomless. On the other side of the narrow straight lies Albania. After the small harbour of Agios Stefanos, we’ll pass by the renowned estate of the Rothschild family. At Kalami, a small waterfront village, our hike ends.
- Transfer Dassia to Avlaki Beach: 50 mins
- Hike Avlaki - Kalami: 8.5km / 5.28 miles
- Ascent: 309m / Descent: 291m
- Terrain : Rough tracks and paths
- Transfer Kalami to Dassia 30 mins
- Overnight: Victoria Hill Hotel Dassia (three-star) or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast & evening dinner
Day Ten: Departure Day
Today we check-out of our hotel for our flight home
- Transfer hotel → airport: 50 mins
- Meals included: Breakfast
Trip Reviews
Accommodation
(as specified or similar)- Day 1 | Sunset Hotel Near Corfu Town
- Day 2 - 4 | Monastri Guesthouse - Kalambaka
- Day 5 - 7 | Archontiko Zarkada Hotel - Monodendri
- Day 8 - 9 | Victoria Hill Hotel - Dassia - Corfu
Day 1 | Sunset Hotel Near Corfu Town
Day 2 - 4 | Monastri Guesthouse - Kalambaka
Day 5 - 7 | Archontiko Zarkada Hotel - Monodendri
Day 8 - 9 | Victoria Hill Hotel - Dassia - Corfu
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Guided walks are included as part of this holiday. Your dedicated walking guide will brief you in resort on the daily walking programme.
The walking programme is graded by difficulty, and you can expect to walk varying distances with a range of ascents and descents. Some walks may be challenging, with uneven or rough terrain underfoot and sections at higher altitude. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for full details of each walk.
A good level of physical fitness is required to fully enjoy this holiday.
It is important that you consider whether your chosen holiday is suitable for your level of fitness, mobility and any medical conditions or additional needs. If you are unsure, please contact our team before booking. We will be happy to discuss the holiday requirements and your individual circumstances to help you decide whether the holiday is suitable for you.
We are committed to treating all customers fairly and will consider any reasonable adjustments where possible. Please let us know before booking if you have a disability, medical condition or any additional requirements that may affect your holiday. This allows us to assess whether we can safely and appropriately accommodate your needs and to ensure you have the best possible holiday experience.
Care should be taken at all times, particularly on uneven or wet terrain. If you normally use walking poles, we recommend bringing them with you. Sturdy walking boots or walking shoes are essential.
Please note that the route and content of the walking programme may need to change during the holiday, at the discretion of the specialist walking guide or local organiser, if local conditions require.
If you have any concerns during your trip, please speak to your specialist walking guide or Solos Tour Leader.
For further information, please refer to our website Terms and Conditions https://www.solosholidays.com/uk/terms-and-conditions/
- Climate Crisis Resilience Tax – €5 per night, payable locally
- less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
- Walking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
- Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
- Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
- Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
- Walking socks – several pairs
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Hat & gloves
- Daysack/rucksack for walking
- Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
- Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
- Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellent, etc
- Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses – the sun’s strength is often multiplied in mountainous areas.
