Vikos Gorge -The birth of a River

About The Place

The Vikos Gorge, measuring 32 kilometers (20 miles) in length, features walls that vary in depth from 120 to 1,350 meters (390 to 4,400 feet) and a width that ranges from 2,500 meters (8,202 feet) to just a few meters at its narrowest point. According to the Guinness Book of Records, it holds the title of the world’s deepest canyon concerning its width-to-depth ratio, though there are some who dispute this claim. The primary stretch of the gorge extends from the village of Vikos to Monodendri, reaching an impressive depth of approximately 1,350 meters (4,429 feet).

The landscape within this 32-kilometer-long gorge, where 12 kilometers fall within the core zone of the park, is characterized by its diverse relief and marked by sudden changes in altitude. Steep slopes and precipitous rocky cliffs dominate the middle and higher zones respectively. Numerous gullies dissect both sides of the gorge, and the erosion caused by the flow of water results in extensive screes. Carved over millions of years by the Vikos Stream and its continuation, the Voidomatis River, a tributary of the Aoös (Vjosa), the gorge has a northwest-southeast orientation.

Given that the Vikos Gorge is a profound cross-section of the mountain, it reveals a series of rock formations of different geological ages. The upper layers, found between 0 and 200 meters in depth, consist of relatively young Eocene limestone. From 200 meters to 700 meters in depth, a stratum from the Campanian era is present, while below 700 meters, the formations consist of Jurassic and Cretaceous limestone. Grey Jurassic dolomite prevails in the deepest layers.

Studies of sedimentary and lithological features in the Voidomatis basin indicate that the innermost alluvial deposits contain material derived from limestone, transported by the Voidomatis River from higher elevations due to glacial activity around 30,000 years ago. The subsequent (middle) deposits result from deglaciation and increased run-off from the uplands around 20,000 years ago. The outermost layer is attributed to human activities associated with pastoralism, which led to extensive deforestation and soil erosion.

The Voidomatis basin holds evidence of three significant glacial phases, with the two largest and earliest occurring during the Middle Pleistocene. The final glacial phase is believed to have taken place during the Last Glacial Maximum, approximately 22,000 to 20,000 years ago.

During the major Middle Pleistocene glaciations, glacial meltwater runoff would have directly contributed to the river channel network because much of the limestone terrain in the uplands was covered by ice, and many karst conduits would have been obstructed by sediment or frozen solid. Consequently, the glacier fronts approached modern valley bottoms during these periods. In contrast, during interglacial and interstadial periods, there was more efficient connectivity between the surface drainage network and the internal karst drainage system.

Since limestone dissolves as water percolates through its pores, an extensive underground drainage system has evolved, replete with caves and channels that expand over time as their ceilings collapse, giving rise to rocky exposures and sheer slopes. This is also why water is scarce, appearing only when an impermeable layer is encountered.

Total Duration

• 4-5 hours

Full description

What to Bring

• Comfortable hiking shoes & trousers

• Hat

• Bottle of water

• Sunscreen

Includes

• Certified & Experienced  Guide

• Liability insurance

• Pic nic snack (seasonal fruits, energy bars)

• Local transfer

• Pair of hiking poles per person

• 1 backpack for 4 persons

Limitations

• Basic physical condition
• Minimum Age 12+ years

Itinerary

• Starting Time 10:00
• Ending Time 15:00

Meeting point

Cancellation Policy - Flexible

• Whenever you cancel 4 days or earlier than the confirmed activity starting date, your fee will be refunded for the entire activity charge.
• In case of cancellation within 48 and 96 hours before the scheduled activity starting date, you'll get 50% reimbursed.
• Those who cancel 48 hours or beyond are considered last-minute cancellations. There will be no refunds