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River deep - mountain HIGH

Woman's Weekly

October 03, 2023

Walking Greece's 'Grand Canyon' is great for your mind and body, discovers Tanya Pearey, as she clocks up the miles in the dramatic scenery of the Vikos Gorge

It's a bold claim: the deepest canyon in the world! But it's one that the Vikos Gorge, in the Zagori region of north-west Greece, makes with aplomb. Even if, when listed in the Guinness World Records, it carries the clarification 'in proportion to its width'. Simply put, the Vikos Gorge is quite narrow and pretty deep, but its dimensions are the least of its appeal because when it comes to sheer, unspoilt natural beauty, it's a giant.

Stretching 20 miles, and lying on the southern slopes of Mount Tymphe in the Pindus Mountains, the Vikos Gorge is a riot of rushing water, fringed by lush green vegetation and enclosed by soaring orange and grey jagged rocks. It's ultra walkable, given a reasonable level of fitness, and the perfect way to savour untouched Greece with its breathtaking peaks and gorge, and its authentic mountain villages connected by cobbled footpaths and ancient stone bridges.

My daughter and I are on a six-day, self-guided walk through the gorge with Ramblers Walking Holidays, covering 26.5km from Kipi to Papingo. This includes a generous three, designated 'rest' days, when we can either put our feet up and enjoy the local hospitality or explore another 21km of extra walking with optional treks and detours.