![First view of snow covered Smolikas peak across the valley through pine forest](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/first-view-smolikas-peak.jpg)
Smolikas: the (second) Highest Peak
Kefalochori to Konitsa
It was a spectacular view. Smolikas, the second highest mountain in Greece at 2637 metres, rose, snowcapped, beyond the pines and across the rain-washed valley. We’d been caught out in a violent thunderstorm that night, and sought refuge in a sheep shelter, clearing away the dried sheep droppings to put up the tent. Luckily, the sheep had not yet arrived that summer.
Another Dragon Lake awaited us below the Smolikas peak, its luminous alpine waters surrounded by wild crocuses among the snow melt. Legend has it that the dragons fought each other, hurling rocks that can still be seen around the lake. But it was too cold and bleak to camp, and we hurried down through the rain to Palioseli village and a comfortable bed with Dinah of the Roses.
Route: Kefalochori, Drosopighi, Aghia Paraskevi, Smolikas, Palioseli, Konitsa
![Lazy meanders of Sarandoporos river between gravel beaches, below Kefalochori road](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2-Sarandaporos-river-1024x768.jpg)
Konitsa 441 00, Greece
![Basic sheep shed in mountains to provide shelter from the storm](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/3-Sheep-shed-1024x768.jpg)
![Valley hidden by clouds below peaks and pine covered slopes](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/4a-After-the-storm-1024x768.jpg)
![View of the Smolikas distant peak as the 03 national trail winds down through pines](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/4-Down-to-Aghia-Paraskevi-1024x768.jpg)
![Easy start to hike up to the Dragon Lake, along flat path trhough meadows](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/towards-smolikas_22082980944_o_result-1024x768.jpg)
![Well waymarked 03 national trail to Smolikas Dragon Lake through forest](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/7-Path-to-Smolikas-768x1024.jpg)
![Rough stony track up through pine forest from Aghia Paraskevi to the Dragon Lake](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/8-Path-to-Smolikas-768x1024.jpg)
![Alpine Dragon Lake with Smolikas peak behind. Melting snow patches.](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/10-Dragon-Lake-1024x768.jpg)
![Masses of wild crocuses on the shores of the Smolikas dragon lake](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/12-Dragon-Lake-1024x768.jpg)
![Wild gentians both pale blue and dark](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/9-Gentians-1024x768.jpg)
![National 03 trail down from Aghia Paraskevi to the Smolikas saddle: relatively easy going](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/13-Down-from-the-peak-1024x768.jpg)
![Water source: pipe with water emerging from simple stone construction](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/img_0710_22717036861_o_result-1024x981.jpg)
![Memorial to Elevthero village destroyed in 1943](https://travellingslow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/14-Elevthero-1024x768.jpg)
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