Staying Near Drakolimni
About halfway up the trail, you will find the Astraka Mountain Hut at almost 2000 meters elevation. The hut stays open from May to October and has cooked meals and a place to rest for hikers who want to stay the night. It is affordable and holds up to fifty people.
Getting to the Trail
To get to Mikro Papingo, you will need a car, because there are very few public buses that go here. The bus from Ioannina leaves once every two weeks. For more information about renting a car in Greece, see our complete guide here.
The “Other” Drakolimni
There is a second and smaller Drakolimni on Smolikas mountain, not far from Mount Tymfi. This second lake is also known as Lyga, which is deeper than the lake on Mount Tymfi and has an impressively blue color.
About the Pindus Mountains
The Pindus Mountains cover a large portion of North and Central Greece. There are many popular Greek mountain towns in the Pindus range, and some of the best-known are Metsovo and Karpenisi.
What Towns Are Near Drakolimni?
Metsovo
Metsovo is a large traditional village in the Epirus region, at an elevation of 1200 meters in the Pindus Mountains. It is east of Drakolimni. The architecture in Metsovo goes back centuries, and there are many cafes and restaurants to enjoy the view of the mountains. For winter sport lovers, Metsovo has a ski center and there are many trails for snowshoeing. For foodies, Metsovo is also known for its famous local cheese.
Zagorochoria
The “Zagorochoria” are also known as the “Zagori villages” or “the place beyond the mountains.” For centuries, because these villages were hidden in the mountains, they kept a unique character compared to the rest of Greece and were protected naturally by the mountains from many intruders. This is why you will find local food and customs found only in this area. Some of the most popular Zagorochoria villages are Ano Pedina, Papigo, Vitsa, Monodendri, Asprageli, Aristi, and Greveniti. Some of the closest Zagorochoria to Drakolimni are Papigo and Vikos.