Off the beaten track: Greek gorges
The Gorge of Vikos
An absolutely spectacular sight, Vikos Gorge or Vikos Gap is located in the mountainous area of Epirus, in the Northwestern part of Greece. In fact, it is the second deepest Gorge in the world, after the Grand Canyon in the USA.
The steep walls of the Gorge rise to a height of 1,040 metres in several places, providing breath-taking views of this unique natural phenomenon. The Voidomatis River crosses the Vikos Gorge providing a beautiful natural backdrop. This part of Greece hasn`t changed in hundreds of years and is a really amazing place for wildlife and hiking.
The Gorge of Samaria
The Gorge of Samaria is the longest one in Europe, after the French gorge of Verdon. It is an area of stunning natural beauty. Rare flora and fauna have survived in this area and are protected. The mountains that have formed it are wild, high and steep. You will pass through forests of ancient cypress trees and pines and descend between vertical cliffs.
The path starts from Xyloskalo (near Omalos) in the White Mountains at an altitude of 1,230 meters and comes to an end at the village of Agia Roumeli at the Libyan sea. Walking through the gorge usually takes anything from 3 to 5 hours, without breaks.
