Epirus: Zagori, Katara & the Pindus

4 days · 3 driving roads · 102 miles of them · best May–June, September

Northern Greece on the mountain side. Ioannina to Papingo through Zagori and the Vikos rim, the old Katara pass toward Metsovo and Meteora, and the Pindus national road from Ioannina up to Katara. Overnight in Ioannina or Monodendri, then Metsovo. Stone villages, switchbacks, and a warning about the rim walk being a walk.

Getting there

⛴ Eurotunnel Le Shuttle — Eurotunnel, about 36 min, up to 4/hour. Check sailings.

Worth knowing: Katara in winter is one of the first Greek passes to close; even in May you can have fog and ice. Zagori is narrow, with coaches to the viewpoint at Oxia — a short spur, then a walk. No fuel in Papingo or Monodendri; fill in Ioannina. Metsovo is the mountain town with pumps. Four days from the UK is a long transit; most people will fly to Thessaloniki or Ioannina and hire, but the crossing is there if you are already in the Balkans.

The roads, in order

1. Zagori & Vikos Balcony Ioannina–Papingo road · Ioannina → Papingo · 35 mi · 1 h 15 min ⛽ EKO Ioannina · 🍽️ I Charadra tou Vikou · 📷 Oxia viewpoint · 🍽️ Astra Inn, Papingo
2. Katara Pass Old EO6 · Metsovo → Kalabaka (Meteora) · 25 mi · 1 h ⚠ Snow possible Nov–Apr at 1,690 m ⛽ Elinoil Metsovo · 🍽️ To Tzaki · 📷 Katara Pass · 📷 Great Meteoron
3. Pindus Katara Pass Road EO6 (old national road) · Ioannina → Katara Pass · 42 mi · 1 h 45 min ⚠ ⚠ Katara Pass (1,690 m) is regularly snowbound November–April; the parallel Egnatia Odos motorway tunnels are the winter alternative ⛽ EKO Ioannina · 🍽️ Tavern Aspasia, Anilio · ⛽ Shell Metsovo east · 📷 Katara Pass summit

Drive it

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