ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ

Completed Conference:
“Global Geoparks Unesco», organized by the Region of Epirus in cooperation with the Geopark Vikos – Aoos and Epirus SA

Ioannina 6.14.16 – With great success the conference organized by the Region of Epirus in cooperation with the Geopark Vikos – Aoos and Epirus SA entitled “Global Geoparks Unesco». The event was held Friday, June 10, 2016 at Hotel Du Lac Ioannina.

The event, which was attended by many people and several representatives of local and regional bodies, short speeches were given as follows: the Zagoria Mayor. Spiros, Deputy Mayor Konitsa Mr. Kallinteri, the Head of the Regional Unit Epirus IGME Mr. Nicholas and President Management Agency National Parks of Vikos – Aoos and Pindos, Mr. pullover.

Followed by the President of the Greek National Commission for UNESCO greetings, Ms Catherine Marias- Papachristopoulou- Tzitzikosta and the Region of Epirus, Mr. Kachrimanis.

The first part of the event was sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Mutual Understanding and Cooperation between the Region of Epirus and the Greek National Commission for UNESCO. The signing of the Memorandum was made by the Regional Director Mr. Alexander Kachrimanis and the President of the Greek National Commission for UNESCO Ms. Maria- Catherine Papachristopoulou- Tzitzikosta.

The purpose of the MoU is to strengthen the conditions for promotion of the region as politistikou- tourist destination through the projection-promoting Geopark Vikos-Aoos and all cultural monuments and features of Epirus. The Region of Epirus, is the second region, after Attica, signed a memorandum of cooperation with Unesco.

Followed by a speech by Mr. Zourou, Professor of the Aegean University and President of Geoparks Global Network on the European and Global Geoparks Network and the new «Unesco Global Geoparks» program, which are introduced from November 2015 all existing Geoparks are members of over Network.

The second part of the event began with the presentation of the unique geological features and designated geotopes of Vikos Aoos Geopark by IGME geologist Mr. Easter. The speech by Mr. Peraki for the fledgling Geopark Sitia, Ms Koumoutsou for Geopark Chelmou- Vouraikos and Mr. Zourou for Geopark of Lesvos. The event ended with the presentation of actions for the promotion of Vikos Aoos Geopark, which took place in recent years through the development of thematic routes of executives Epirus SA- Mr. And Mrs. Papaioannou Kitsakis followed by constructive discussion active public participation.

At the end of the event-tour visited Mr. Zourou, escort representatives of the Geopark in the Vikos-Aoos Geopark Information Center of Papigo and in selected thematic routes, in order to learn about the recent promotion actions of the Geopark area.

Starting Point: Paleoseli.

End: Agia Paraskevi (Kerasovo).

Trail distance: 17 km.

Duration: 8 hours.

Altitude scale: 1.000 m. – 2.200 m.

– 1050 m.

Route type: path (partly dirt road).

Signage: good.

Degree of difficulty: high.

Points of interest: the Drakolimni of Smolikas, the view to the northern cliffs of Timfi mt, the view to the high peak of Smolikas (2.637 m), the subalpine plateaus, the Bosnian pine forests.

Remarks: A path leads to the highest peak (2.637 m) of Smolikas mt in 1 hour and 30 minutes hike from the Drakolimni. A mountain refuge is located along the path (alt. 1.800 m). A similar trail starts form the nearby village of Pades.

Starting Point: Konitsa (Agios Athanasios chapel).

End: Trapezitsa peak.

Trail distance: 5 km.

Duration: 4 hours.

Altitude scale: 900 m. – 2.022 m.

Route type: path.

Signage: rough.

Degree of difficulty: very high.

Points of interest: the view to the Aoos gorge as well as to Konitsa plain and to Timfi, Smolikas, Grammos and Nemertsika mts.

Starting Point: Vrisohori.

End: Holy Monastery of Agia Triada.

Trail distance: 6,5 km.

Duration: 3 hours.

Altitude scale: 990 m. – 940 m.

Route type: path (forest path in some parts).

Signage: rough.

Degree of difficulty: medium.

Points of interest: Vrisohori village (churches and bridges), Holy Monastery of Agia Triada (1667), the view of the northeastern part of Timfi mt.

Starting Point: Konitsa bridge.

End: Vrisohori.

Trail distance: 14 km.

Duration: 12 hours.

Altitude scale: 450 m. – 900 m.

Route type: at the beginning forest path and then path.

Signage: rough.

Degree of difficulty: very high.

Points of interest: Aoos gorge, Konitsa bridge (1870), Stomio Monastery (1774), mansions in

upper town of Konitsa, churches

and bridges of Vrisohori.

Starting Point: Konitsa bridge.

End: Holy Monastery of Stomio which is dedicated to Panagia (Virgin Mary).

Trail distance: 6 km.

Duration: 2 hours.

Altitude scale: 450 m. – 800 m.

Route type: Forest path, path.

Signage: good.

Degree of difficulty: medium.

Points of interest: Konitsa bridge (1870), Stomio Monastery (1774), the view to the Aoos gorge as well as to Timfi and Trapezitsa mts.

Starting Point: Konitsa bridge.

End: Drakolimni of Timfi.

Trail distance: 12 km.

Duration: 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Altitude scale: 450 m. – 2.100 m.

Route type: at the beginning forest path and then path.

Signage: good.

Degree of difficulty: high.

Points of interest: Aoos gorge, Drakolimni of Timfi, Konitsa bridge (1870), Stomio Monastery (1774), mansions in upper town of Konitsa.

Starting point: Tsepelovo.

End: Drakolimni of Timfi.

Trail distance: 14 km.

Duration: 6 hours and 30 minutes.

Altitude scale: 1.080 m. – 1.950 m. – 1.750 m. – 2.100 m.

Route type: path.

Signage: rough.

Degree of difficulty: high.

Points of interest: the subalpine plateaus, subalpine lakes, rockycliffs, ravines.

Remark: Along the route one can find the trail leading to the Gamila peak (2.497m).

Starting point: “Manetes” location, 3 km after the village of Kapesovo to Tsepelovo on the main road.

End: Holy monastery of Ioannis Rogkovos.

Trail distance: 2 km.

Duration: 2 hours.

Altitude scale: 1.070 m. – 800 m. – 990 m.

Route type: path.

Signage: rough.

Degree of difficulty: medium.

Points of interest: The Monastery of Agios Ioannis Rogovos (1028-1034) which was renovated in 1749, the Vikaki canyon, the excellent view to the surrounding area, the stone bridges.

Starting point: Megalo Papigo.

End: Ano Klidonia.

Trail distance: 4,5 km.

Duration: 2 hours.

Altitude scale: 1.050 m. – 900 m.

Route type: path.

Signage: medium.

Degree of difficulty: medium.

Points of interest: the view of the Vikos gorge and Astraka (Papigo) towers, the mansions and old churches in Papigo, the old churches in Klidonia.