In the mountains of Northern Greece, there is a hidden region called Zagorohoria. It includes 46 ancient villages connected by old stone bridges and paths. These paths were once used by farmers, shepherds, and traders. Today, travellers can explore this area by hiking along the same beautiful trails.
A Journey Into the Mountains
On a sunny day in May, writer Vittoria Traverso and her guide, Michális Georgaras, left Athens and drove for six hours to reach Zagorohoria. As they travelled north, the land changed from olive trees to thick forests and high mountains.
“Most people don’t think of Greece as a mountainous country,” said Georgaras. “But 80% of it is made of mountains.”
Zagorohoria, also called Zagori, is located in the Pindus Mountains, near the border with Albania. The name means “the villages behind the mountain.” These villages stayed isolated for centuries because no modern roads reached them until the 1970s.
Ancient Paths and UNESCO Status
Before cars, people in Zagori walked from village to village on stone paths called kalderimia. These paths and bridges were built in the 15th century and are still in use today. In 2023, the UNESCO World Heritage Site status was given to this region because of its natural and cultural importance.
Stephanie Contomichalos and Georgaras have created a five-day hiking tour that lets visitors stay in traditional stone houses and walk these ancient paths.
One of the biggest villages in Zagori is Vitsa, which has only 84 people. Most villages are built around a central square with a large plane tree, often more than 500 years old. These trees grow where underground water is found. Near the tree, there is usually a church, and the village is surrounded by forests.
In the past, these trees and forests were considered sacred. Cutting trees was not allowed unless it was for public projects like building a school.
Exploring Bridges and Trails
From Vitsa, the group hiked 7.4km to the village of Kipoi, where they saw three famous bridges: Missiou, Kokkori, and Mylos. These stone bridges were built in the 1700s and still stand today.
The builders had deep knowledge of the local climate. The paths had small canals to control rainwater and prevent landslides. The bridges were shaped to resist river currents.
Professor Polyxeni Mantzou says that the builders used local materials and worked with nature, not against it. This is why the bridges and homes have lasted for centuries.
History and Trade
Zagori’s history includes a special deal made with the Ottoman Empire in the 1400s. In exchange for helping the Ottomans, the villages received autonomy. Local leaders built trade networks and used the paths to travel across the Balkans.
Wealthy traders paid for many public buildings such as schools and bridges. Often, they wrote their names in the stone along the trails.
One of the most amazing parts of the trip was the Vradeto Staircase. This 1.5km path climbs over 1,100 stone steps up the mountain and blends perfectly into the natural rock.
From the top, hikers can reach the Beloi viewpoint, which offers views of the Vikos Gorge, often called “the Greek Grand Canyon.” The gorge is 20km long and filled with green trees and plants.
On a 12km hike inside Vikos–Aoös National Park, hikers can see wild orchids, tulips, and Jerusalem sage. Nearly one-third of all plant species in Greece can be found in this region.
At the end of the hike, they arrived at Vikos village, which is famous for its medicinal herbs.
A Region Reborn
Since the early 1900s, many people left Zagori to live in cities. But recently, some old homes have been turned into guesthouses. For example, Selini Guesthouse is run by a local couple who returned to the village.
Now, tourists and scientists visit the area to learn about its architecture, biodiversity, and how it deals with climate change.
Experts from the University of Ioannina found that the traditional stone homes were naturally energy-efficient. The builders didn’t use modern tools but had deep knowledge of their environment.
Zagorohoria is more than a hiking destination. It is a place where ancient culture, beautiful nature, and smart design come together. These mountain villages teach us how people can live in harmony with the land—and how that harmony can last for centuries.
Source: bbc.com
Vocabulary for the Article
Village – A small group of houses in the countryside.
Example: We stayed in a quiet mountain village in Greece.
Mountain – A very high hill.
Example: Zagori is a region full of mountains.
Bridge – A structure built over a river or valley.
Example: We crossed a stone bridge on our hike.
Path – A small road for walking.
Example: The old path led us through the forest.
Trail – A route for walking or hiking.
Example: The trail connects many ancient villages.
Stone – A hard natural material used for building.
Example: The houses are made of grey stone.
Hiking – Walking long distances in nature.
Example: We went hiking in the Greek mountains.
Tree – A tall plant with a trunk and leaves.
Example: A huge tree stands in the village square.
Nature – Everything natural like trees, rivers, animals.
Example: The village is surrounded by beautiful nature.
Guesthouse – A small hotel run by a family.
Example: We slept in a guesthouse made of stone.
Herbs – Plants used in food or medicine.
Example: The village is known for its healing herbs.
Forest – A large area filled with trees.
Example: The path passed through a thick forest.
Cliff – A high wall of rock.
Example: We saw tall cliffs near the gorge.
Canal – A narrow water channel.
Example: Small canals run along the hiking path.
Church – A building where people pray.
Example: There is a church near the plane tree.
Architecture – The style of buildings.
Example: The architecture is made to match nature.
UNESCO – An international group that protects culture.
Example: Zagori is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History – Things that happened in the past.
Example: These villages have a long history.
Trade – Buying and selling goods.
Example: Old footpaths were used for trade.
Climate – The usual weather in a place.
Example: The houses were built to match the local climate.
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