Editorial place profile
Drakolimni of Tymfi Trail
At a glance
Drakolimni of Tymfi Trail climbs from Mikro Papigo toward Astraka refuge and the high Dragon Lake landscape. It is a substantial alpine outing in Zagori, with the lake reached beyond the refuge and a return journey still to complete.
Practical details
- Area
- Mikro Papigo and Tymfi, Zagori
- Objective
- Dragon Lake beyond Astraka refuge
- Published example
- Geopark: 8km/four-and-a-half hours to lake; eight–nine-hour return description
- Return or key condition
- Allow the return and arrange any refuge stay separately
From Mikro Papigo through the Astraka area
The geopark’s hiking list gives an eight-kilometre route from Mikro Papigo to Drakolimni, reaching roughly 2,100m, and grades that ascent high. Astraka hut’s own advice describes nearly 1,000m of ascent just to the refuge, then about another ninety minutes toward the lake. Its route guidance recommends proper hiking boots, carried water and avoiding a finish after dark.
Sources: Vikos–Aoos Geopark: hiking routes, Astraka Mountain Hut: route and service questions
One-way figures, return time and hut plans
The geopark’s geological-route description gives eight–nine hours including the return. EAGME’s shorter catalogue summary is not used here as a full-day walking instruction. Astraka normally operates from early May to late October, with exact annual dates and overnight places arranged separately. Epirus Adventures’ nine-hour guided return product meets at Mikro Papigo and specifies good fitness and age twelve-plus; its advertised April–November operation does not guarantee hut service throughout that period.
Sources: Vikos–Aoos Geopark: geological routes, EAGME: Vikos–Aoos geotrail catalogue, Astraka Mountain Hut: route and service questions, Epirus Adventures: Alpine Dragon Lake Hike via Discover Greece
Contact and published information
Where this place fits
Sources and review dates
- Vikos–Aoos Geopark: hiking routes — Geopark route information — checked 2026-10-18. Mikro Papigo–Drakolimni is listed as eight kilometres and four-and-a-half hours one way, with high difficulty.
- Vikos–Aoos Geopark: geological routes — Geopark route information — checked 2026-10-18. Papigo–Drakolimni return is described as eight–nine hours; some summary fields elsewhere on the page conflict.
- Astraka Mountain Hut: route and service questions — Route operator information — checked 2026-10-18. Mikro Papigo ascent, onward lake walk, water preparation and normal May–October hut season; exact annual dates and beds separate.
- Epirus Adventures: Alpine Dragon Lake Hike via Discover Greece — Provider itinerary on Discover Greece — checked 2026-10-18. Nine-hour guided return example, Mikro Papigo meeting point and age/fitness requirements.
- EAGME: Vikos–Aoos geotrail catalogue — Hellenic geological survey — checked 2026-10-18. Named geotrails; summary distances and times differ from other published itineraries.
Author and corrections
Sarah Haddad is responsible for this profile. It is based on the published sources cited here; no firsthand visit or independent service test is claimed.