In the summer, shepherds tend their sheep on this high, grassy plateau. In this wide open space, the absence of life's usual stimuli sharpens the senses and with an altered consciousness, endows one with the joy of living each moment. There is a boundless silence and only the distant bark of a sheep dog or the sound of falling rocks intrudes on the utter stillness. The rugged terrain unfolds its beauty slowly and gently for those who pass through in the same way. Majestic peaks soar with a timeless air of watchfulness.
Clouds saunter across crisp, blue skies while cooling breezes refresh on the warmest summer day.
The rocky places are guardians of tiny, boldly colored flowers that beckon the honey bees. Pure mountain water drips from rocks and small tarns reflect the surrounding splendor. It is impossible to tread these ancient, solitary paths without reflection and one can appreciate why wise Zagorians say that Greeks discover their true essence in these mountains. The Vikos-Aoos National Park Remnants of the ancient European forests survive only in Greece, Finland and Sweden, the three most densely forested countries in Europe. Unlike the Fenno-Scandia forests that are mainly coniferous forests, the extensive forests of Northern Greece are comprised of mixed forests with the widest diversity of highland trees in all of Europe.