Via Ferrata Κόνιτσα

Via Ferrata is located on the Aoos river next to Konitsa. The route starts from the old bridge of Konitsa and runs parallel to the river. There is a gentle 45′ hike to approach the route. It is quite a beautiful route with several hiking intervals in enchanting landscapes, and also impressive climbs on metal steps on a vertical rock, 60-70 meters above the water. The end of the route is at the historical bridge of Konitsa. It is a special activity with an extreme character that does not require previous experience. However, it should be done under the guidance of an experienced certified guide and it requires a lack of fear of heights. The physical condition required for the activity is at least moderate.

Via Ferrata originally started from the Great Tibetan Bridge, in 2010, which was built as a “restoration” of an old wooden bridge that had been there in 1938. A little later, other pieces were added to make a circular route around the Aoos River. The route starts from the stone bridge of Konitsa and ends at it. First, the road is followed up to the river dam, then it continues until the road meets the old path and 200 paces later it turns left. At the entrance there are red and red/black signs which mark the entire route. There are four combinations:

1st Konitsa Bridge – Konitsa Bridge, 4-5 hours,

2nd Konitsa Bridge – dam (only in the summer months), 3.30′- 4 hours,

3rd dam – dam, 2.30 – 3 hours and

4th dam – Konitsa Bridge, 4 hours.

In the summer months, when the water level is low, at the height of the dam you can cross the river and rejoin the road side. This can be done either over the concrete dam or from the water just before the dam. The route includes three bridges. The first, 7 meters long, crosses the Gravos stream, the second, 17 meters long and 40-50 meters high, crosses the Aoos river, and the third, 5 meters long, bridges an empty part of the route near Konitsa Bridge.

It can be divided into four parts:

1st to the Tibetan bridge, where it starts with a path of incredible beauty, follows the 1st bridge and after short steep sections with ropes ends at the Tibetan bridge.

2nd after the bridge, there is a small section of wire ropes and a hiking trail follows till the Asprolakkos area/stream.

3rd after the stream, the route goes uphill and enters a section with extensive wire ropes until it meets the forgotten Konitsa-Elefthero trail! And then it descends towards the river and finally ends up at the dam.

4th after the dam there is a walk next to the river bed which is interrupted by wire ropes (when the water level is medium/high). The third bridge is also found near Konitsa with the last wire rope crossing being just below the stone bridge.

Suitable seasons are: spring, summer and autumn although there have been many repetitions in winter as well. In summer, a morning start is highly recommended.

WARNING special equipment is needed: Helmet, Waist Belt, Energy Absorber, carabiner type K (approved by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation, UIAA) as well as special shoes and gloves and the crossing of Via Ferrata for those who do not have the required mountaineering and climbing experience expertise, is strictly under the guidance of an experienced certified guide.