Overview

This long but beautiful hike will traverse the Varnountas range over two high passes of approximately 2000m. The start and end of the hike is through dense beech forest while the middle section is over alpine pastures with nice views and a carpet of wild flowers early in the summer. Unfortunately the route follows nowadays mostly the forest road since the old footpaths shown on some maps have become overgrown.

Statistics

Distance: 25km

Ascent: +600m

Duration: 6-8 hours

Description

Start from the ski center at Vigla and cross the main road diagonally past a campers parking. Continue on the track ahead through forest following signs to Agios Germanos. After a while the road emerges out of the forest and turns right towards the wind farm on Pineritsa ridge. Turn left on a smaller track ascending gently to a saddle. The old footpath that circumvented the hill to the south has now disappeared under low bushes. Take a small track with north-west direction ignoring a junction leading to a cow stall lower.

Now the track traverses the slopes of Bela Voda with several springs and abundant with wild flowers early in the summer to reach another saddle just above another cow stall. From this point you should have very nice views of the Prespa. Follow the track descending gently, soon through forests. There is a path veering to the right (which you will certainly miss without a GPS) that earns a large switchback of the road joining it again in front of Profitis Ilias chapel. After that either stay on the road or follow the ridge on a very steep and poorly marked trail that joins the road again 1km before reaching the village.

Amenities

Agios Germanos offers plenty of guest-houses, restaurants, shops and a post office. The place is ideal for exploring the Prespa region.

Signposting

Until Pineritsa pass there is sufficient signposting (wooden signs at junctions). Further on there are only a few marks but the route is pretty straightforward.

Transportation

There is a bus going from Florina to Prespes region three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). It leaves from Florina early in the morning and in the early afternoon coming all the way to Agios Germanos. Do check with the bus office (+30 23850 22430) for exact schedule.

Notes

The route contains high altitude sections that maybe under snow from late October to early May.

Occasional but very rare sightings of bears have been reported. Brown bears generally move during the night and will avoid humans. They can only become dangerous when startled so carry a whistle and make noise from time to time to make your presence clear

Shepherd dogs will be encountered often on the mountain and near villages. They may become very intimidating and sometimes dangerous. They are usually found in groups and will attack you as soon as they see you or smell you from a distance. Here are some survival rules of thumb. If you cannot avoid them, try keeping them at a distance. Curry a stick (it seems to scare them sometimes), find a place where you cannot be circled and throw stones to them with the intention of harming them. This will usually do the trick. If however this does not work (it has happened to me only twice in twenty years) just stop and remain calm. In most cases they will stop barking after a few seconds (they are triggered by movement). Call the shepherd if he is nearby, otherwise wait for a while so that they become comfortable with your presence. Hopefully they will let you continue.

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