The lakes of Greece are considered to be a pole of attraction. Apart from the large and famous, however, polar lakes such as Kastoria and Ioannina with Lake Pamvotis or the famous Lake Doxa, there are some other lakes with wild beauty and something special. And this is none other than the fact that it takes effort and certainly a lot of walking to get there and admire them up close. They are some of the mountainous and beautiful lakes of Greece that it is a fact that not everyone can admire up close. Get a taste of what we’re talking about…
Winter excursions: Two villages and a small town that will blow your mind for different reasons
Lakes of Greece: Drakolimni Tymfi
A dream location that anyone lucky enough to visit is enchanted and promises to return soon. The reason for Drakolimni of Tymfi with its special name and rare beauty. It is an alpine lake that offers its special beauty only to those who manage to reach it at an altitude of 2,050 meters. They have to work and get tired to make it. It is considered the most famous dragon lake and is located in an alpine meadow of Tymfi between the peaks of Astraka, Ploskos, and Gamila, while when you find yourself there, the phrase acquires meaning: a picture equals a thousand words.
How did it get its name? Legend has it that Drakolimni of Tymfi and Drakolimni of Smolikas were inhabited by two dragons. But because the two dragons had a rivalry with each other, when they were wild they threw stones at each other. To reach Drakolimni of Tymfi, you need 1 hour of hiking from the organized shelter in the col of Astraka and 4 hours of hiking from the village of Mikro Papigo.
Drakolimnes tis Flegas
Two twin-like lakes that offer a unique spectacle to the visitor and specifically to anyone who manages to climb to 1960 meters altitude, in the subalpine zone of Mount Mavrovouni (between Kalambaka and Ioannina). These are two beautiful, natural mountain lakes of Pindos, the dragon lakes of Flega. The impressive thing about these lakes is that even if you managed to climb there in winter, with the difficult weather conditions, you probably wouldn’t see them since most of the time they are hidden under a layer of snow. Spring is the ideal time to be there and also admire the unique view of the valley of Valia Calda.
And here there is the legend that Macedon, son of Zeus or Aeolus, had three sons, one of whom was Pindus. Once his brothers envied him and decided to kill him. So he decided to climb the mountain and have only his friend, the dragon Lygo. When his brothers finally located and killed him, the dragon found him dead and from his tears formed small lakes, the dragon lakes. To reach Lake Flega you will leave your car just above the Montenegrin refuge, in a beautiful valley. From there there is a path to the lakes, the ascent of which with a break takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Drakolimni of Smolikas
This is the second lake of the myth, mentioned above in Drakolimni of Tymfi. It may be higher than all of them but it is easier to approach to admire. It is the tallest and largest alpine lake in Greece. You will be able to see and photograph it if you walk at an altitude of 2,350 meters, that is, on the ridge, right on the Greek-Albanian border. And this, like the Drakolimnes of Phlega, freezes during the winter months. In any case, winter is not suitable for such an ascent, but spring. The images you will see here are magical and certainly cannot be offered by any other lake in Greece, than those you can reach by vehicle.
Apart from the aforementioned legend, another legend says that this dragon lake was also made from the tear of a dragon who, although kind-hearted, was considered scary by the inhabitants of the village where he lived so they expelled him. To get to Drakolimni of Smolikas, there are several routes. A well-known route is followed by the village of Agia Paraskevi in Konitsa, Ioannina. Two kilometers outside the village, you will find the K2 path. Following the yellow signs of the traffic signs you will make a 4-hour walk when you will meet the path coming from Samarina. Turning right, you will reach Drakolimni of Smolikas.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most beautiful alpine lakes in Greece worth hiking to include Drakolimni Tymfi (at 2,050 meters), Drakolimnes of Flega (at 1,960 meters), and Drakolimni Smolikas (at 2,350 meters). These mountainous lakes offer breathtaking scenery and are only accessible to those willing to undertake challenging hiking expeditions. Unlike famous lakes like Pamvotis and Doxa, these alpine lakes reward visitors with wild beauty and pristine natural landscapes.
It takes approximately 1 hour of hiking from the organized shelter in the col of Astraka to reach Drakolimni Tymfi. However, if you start from the village of Mikro Papigo, the hike takes about 4 hours. The lake is located at an altitude of 2,050 meters in an alpine meadow between the peaks of Astraka, Ploskos, and Gamila in the Tymfi mountain range.
The dragon lakes get their name from ancient Greek legends. According to myth, Drakolimni Tymfi and Drakolimni Smolikas were inhabited by two rival dragons that threw stones at each other. In another legend associated with Drakolimnes of Flega, the dragon Lygo cried over the death of Pindus (son of Zeus or Aeolus), and his tears formed the small alpine lakes. These mythological stories have been passed down through generations and are deeply connected to the cultural heritage of these mountain regions.
Spring is the ideal season to visit alpine lakes in Greece, particularly Drakolimnes of Flega and Drakolimni Smolikas. During winter months, these lakes freeze over and are often hidden under layers of snow due to harsh weather conditions, making them difficult or impossible to see. Spring provides optimal hiking conditions, clear views, and the opportunity to photograph these mountain lakes in their full natural beauty, while also allowing visitors to enjoy views of surrounding valleys like Valia Calda.
Drakolimni Smolikas is easier to approach compared to other alpine lakes in Greece, despite being the tallest and largest alpine lake in the country at 2,350 meters altitude. Located on the ridge at the Greek-Albanian border, it can be accessed with less strenuous hiking than Drakolimni Tymfi. However, it's still an alpine lake that requires proper hiking preparation, and winter months are not suitable for the ascent due to severe weather conditions.
The hike to Drakolimnes of Flega takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes from the starting point above the Montenegrin refuge, including a break. The lakes are located at 1,960 meters altitude in the subalpine zone of Mount Mavrovouni, situated between Kalambaka and Ioannina. Visitors must leave their car in a beautiful valley above the refuge and then follow the mountain path upward to reach these twin-like alpine lakes.
