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Dracolimni out of season
Hi
I have the disadvantage of never being able to walk up to Drocolimni from Micro Papingo when the refuge is open. I have an opportunity to go in early November.
Is it a trek that can be done there and back in a day, is that a really stupid thing to try and do?
Thanks
regards Sue
Tags
Kalimera Sue,
Yes indeed the Astraka refuge will be closed from next week on. Select a day with good weather and start with the first light in Papingo, allow some 8-9hrs in total for this hike. It is a demanding hike to do it in one day (2800m climb/descent in total) but it worths the efforts.
greetings to Kerkyra
Alex
Thanks! Greetings too from a rather wet autumnal Corfu.
I am desparate to do this trek, but also do not want to be stupid as I am not as fit as I should be after sitting in an office all summer. When would you normally expect the first snow on the higher parts of the route? (maybe I should wait a week or so and do some training first!)
Kalimera Sue,
Snow can fall at any moment in November. But next week's weather forecast seems ok, a rather warm for the season weather is expected. Thus an ideal weather for a hike, but ofcourse do not forget to take warm clothing with you. It can be crispy cold up there, especially at the refuge and at the lake. Drinking water will not be a problem and do not carry much of it from the village, at least the 3 of the 5 springs on this trail have water at this season.
Just go for it !
Hello Sue,
I was at Drakolimni and Gamila at the end of Oktober. The weather was great for trekking, not too hot, not too cold. I agree with Alex that u can visit Drakolimni in one day, but if you are not feeling so fit you can consider an other option. If you can find a group of ten people you can use the refuge (there is a minimal number of people necessary to open the refuge). Just gather your friends and get in touch with the refuge's manager. I can promise you that you are gonna love this trekking. Just remember that after the third spring (it is benith Astraka before the refuge) you want be able to find any water. So you have to take all the water you need to go to Drakolimni and return. In case of need there is water at the beginnig of the path of Gamila under Astraka.
Please feel free to ask whatever you want. I'll be happy to help you.
Have a nice time and nice trekking.
Thanks to you both, the water tip is very useful. Sadly I dont have 10 walking friends I can think of, so thats not an option.
well there is one last try you can do. the trekking club in Ioannina is doing very often day-excursions at drakolimni (two every year). you can communicate with them http://www.orivatikos.gr/pn1/, i am sending you the site, and find out if their are going up there this autumn. If you get unlucky then the best way is to join a group and visit all these wonderful places whenever you wish, with plenty of time to do it, maybe at your vacations.