• Slow Travel
  • Mountain Forests
  • E-Bikes
  • Waterfall Swimming

Balta Di Stringa E-Bike Tour

The Alpine Forests & Balta di Stringa Waterfall

Experience the dramatic, changing landscapes of Northern Greece with this highly rewarding Zagori e-bike tour.

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Duration

Full-Day (Approx. 6 to 7 hours)

Region

Central & Eastern Zagori
(Kapesovo, Tsepelovo, Iliochori),
Northern Greece

Difficulty

Accessible & Relaxing

Group Size

4-12 guests

The Experience

Our Best-Seller! Experience the dramatic, changing landscapes of Northern Greece with this highly rewarding Zagori e-bike tour. Designed for travelers who want to deeply connect with both culture and wild nature without physical exhaustion, this route transitions beautifully from grand stone villages to dense, fragrant alpine forests.

With your premium electric bike easily handling the mountain ascents, you will comfortably ride past historic 18th-century settlements and ancient nomadic camps. The journey peaks with a peaceful nature walk to the spectacular Balta di Stringa waterfalls. Best of all? After your refreshing swim in the emerald pools, our support van is waiting to drive you comfortably back to the start, ensuring a completely sweat-free finish to your day.

Tour Highlights

The Stone Capital

Wander through the picturesque, grand square of Tsepelovo, the largest historic village in Zagori.

Nomadic Heritage

Walk among the fascinating reconstructed straw huts of the Sarakatsani tribe at the lush Gyftokampos plateau.

Forest Immersion

Ride smoothly through a breathtaking, dramatic shift in scenery, leaving rocky limestone for dense, fragrant fir and black pine forests.

Emerald Cascades

Take a peaceful nature walk to the Balta di Stringa waterfalls and enjoy a highly refreshing dip in the crystal-clear pools.

Return Transfer

Finish your hike knowing you do not have to pedal back! Our comfortable van will be waiting in Iliochori to drive you back to your starting point.

The Tour Program

THE TOUR

We begin our Zagori e-bike tour at the entrance of Kapesovo, an intellectually significant 18th-century village. Before we start riding, we take a moment to admire the distant, famous stone staircase known as the Vradeto Steps. After personally fitting your e-bike and completing a brief safety check, we begin our highly scenic ascent. A short, effortless 15-minute ride brings us to Tsepelovo, the largest village in Zagori. We pause at the picturesque stone square, shaded by a giant plane tree, to admire the grand architecture of a village that once housed famous poets and fighters. Leaving the stone settlements behind, we pass Skamneli and witness a dramatic, beautiful shift in the landscape. The rocky terrain transforms into a dense, alpine forest of firs and black pines, filling the crisp mountain air with the scent of resin.

Thanks to our electric assist, we smoothly reach the stunning green plateau of Gyftokampos. Here lies a unique open-air museum dedicated to the Sarakatsani, the ancient nomadic tribe of Greece. We take a relaxing walk among the authentic reconstructions of their straw huts and sheepfolds (site access is subject to local opening days and hours), gaining a vivid picture of how these proud nomads lived and traveled across the mountains. Finding a peaceful spot just a short distance away, we set up our signature Bikewise Picnic, tasting handmade Epirotic pies and seasonal fruits under the shade of the trees. We then ride our final stretch to the village of Iliochori, safely park our bikes, and switch to comfortable walking shoes.

A beautiful, peaceful 1.2km forest path leads us straight to the Balta di Stringa waterfalls, where the cascading water drops into striking emerald green “ovires” (natural rock pools beautifully sculpted by the stream). You will have enough time to take photos, relax, or enjoy a highly rejuvenating swim in the crystal-clear waters. Refreshed from our hidden paradise, we gently walk back up to the village where our dedicated support vehicle is already waiting. We comfortably load the gear and enjoy a relaxing, scenic drive back to Kapesovo, completing a magnificent day of diverse Epirus images.

What to Bring

Casual Active Wear

Breathable, comfortable clothing suitable for light cycling.

Proper Footwear

A pair of sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or light trail shoes is absolutely essential for safely walking the 1.2km forest path down to the waterfalls and back up.

Mountain Layers

Even in the summer, the dense alpine forests of Eastern Zagori are wonderfully cool. A light windbreaker or fleece jacket is highly recommended.

Small Daypack

Very handy for carrying your towel, water, and camera during our walk to the waterfalls.

Swimwear & A Light Towel

Highly recommended! You will definitely want the option to enjoy a refreshing, rejuvenating dip in the stunning emerald pools of Balta di Stringa. (If you don't have towels handy, just let us know in advance and we'll provide one for everyone)

Sun Protection

Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat to protect yourself during those beautiful, sunny Greek days.

What is Included

Reliable, perfectly maintained electric bikes (CUBE Touring Hybrid or GIANT Talon E+) tailored for a smooth, paved ride.

We provide everything you need for absolute comfort: a safety helmet, a water bottle, a waterproof handlebar bag (1.5L) for small essentials like your phone, camera, or sunscreen, a waterproof saddle bag (4.5L) for your jacket or windbreaker, and a soft gel seat cover.

Our signature Bikewise Picnic featuring high-quality, local Epirotic flavors, set up at a hand-picked spot right by the lake.

A certified, English-speaking local guide who intimately knows the history of the area, the lake, and the hidden paths.

Our support car is always a phone call away in the area, providing total peace of mind in the mountains.

Comprehensive traveler’s insurance and all local taxes (VAT).

Upon request, we also provide cycling gloves, windbreakers, waterproof ponchos, towels, and trekking poles to make your experience as comfortable as possible.

Not Included

Hotel pick-up and drop-off (we meet directly at the highly accessible Mavili Square in the city center).

Alcoholic and soft drinks at tavernas and restaurants during lunches and dinners (except for the welcoming local tsipouro and the drinks provided during our outdoor picnics).

Tips for your dedicated guides and hosts (optional)

Frequently Asked Questions

The trail to Balta di Stringa is a beautiful, well-maintained 1.2km dirt path through the forest. Walking down to the pools is easy. The walk back up to the village has an incline and requires a bit of effort, but we treat it as a slow, peaceful nature walk. We take our time, pause frequently in the shade, and never rush. Plus, knowing the van is waiting at the top makes it highly rewarding!

Not at all. We designed this route specifically for our e-bikes. The electric motor does the heavy lifting during the 30km ride from Kapesovo to Iliochori, meaning your legs will be completely fresh and rested for the forest walk.

Booking & Payment Information

For our multi-day tours, we accept bookings up to 10 days prior to the departure date. For our single-day excursions, you can reserve your spot up to 3 days before the tour.

Booking your one-day tour is simple and secure. We offer flexible payment methods to suit your preferences:

  • Credit / Debit Cards & Digital Wallets (Recommended): The fastest and most secure way to book. We use Stripe, a global leader in payment processing, ensuring your data is fully encrypted.

    • We accept: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro.

    • Mobile Pay: Apple Pay, Google Pay & Revolut Pay (One-tap checkout).

    • Fees: No extra fees for card payments.

  • Bank Transfer (Wire Transfer): Ideal for corporate bookings or large groups.

    • Account Details: You will receive our IBAN and bank details via email upon booking request.

    • Important Note on Fees: Please ensure the full amount reaches our account. When making the transfer, select the “OUR” option so that all bank charges are covered by the sender.

To confirm your reservation, we follow a simple two-step process:

  1. The Deposit (30%): A 30% deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your dates and guides. This can be paid instantly via card/digital wallets or Bank Transfer.

  2. The Balance (70%): The remaining balance must be settled at least 10 days before the trip starts. We will send you a secure payment link via email as a reminder.

⚠️ Important: If the balance is not received by the due date, Bikewise reserves the right to treat the booking as cancelled. In this case, standard cancellation terms will apply, and the deposit may be forfeited. Note: For last-minute bookings (less than 10 days before departure), full payment is required upfront.

We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel, please inform us in writing as soon as possible. Our refund policy is as follows:

  • 30+ days before the trip: 100% Refund.

  • 29 – 20 days before: 80% Refund.

  • 19 – 10 days before: 50% Refund.

  • Less than 10 days: No Refund.

Refund Fees Policy: Please note that in case of a participant-initiated cancellation, any processing fees (credit card transaction fees or bank charges) will be deducted from the refunded amount. You will receive the refund net of these costs.

Safety is our top priority. If Bikewise has to cancel the tour due to unsafe weather conditions or other force majeure reasons, you will be offered:

  1. An alternative date for your tour.

  2. A 100% full refund if the alternative date does not work for you.

We highly recommend it. Since last-minute cancellations due to unforeseen events (illness, flight delays, etc.) are often non-refundable under our policy, we strongly suggest purchasing comprehensive Travel Insurance in your home country to cover your trip investment.

For full details, please read our Terms & Conditions page.

Customize Your Trip

Optional Add-Ons

Want to make the most of your day in the Epirus mountains? We can easily customize your experience with the following optional additions (extra costs apply, subject to partner availability):

Traditional Zagori Dinner

After your refreshing swim and van transfer, end your day perfectly by letting us book a table for you at a highly authentic, hand-picked local taverna in the area to taste their famous slow-cooked meats and traditional pies.

Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off

The mountain roads to Zagori are beautiful but winding. Skip the stress of driving by letting us pick you up directly from your hotel in Ioannina, drive you to Kapesovo, and drop you off exactly on time after the tour.

Booking

BOOK YOUR TRIP

Balta di Stringa

Please note: All our tours are private experiences operating with a minimum of 4 participants. For single-day tours with 2 to 3 guests, we are happy to accommodate your request at an adjusted rate.

How many participants?

Our One day Experiences

Short on time

big on experience

Balta Di Stringa E-Bike Tour
6-7 Hours
4-12 Group size

Balta Di Stringa E-Bike Tour

Zagori, Epirus

Our Best-Seller! Experience the dramatic, changing landscapes of Northern Greece with this highly rewarding Zagori e-bike tour.

See full details
Dikorfo E-Bike Tour
4-5 Hours
4-12 Group size

Dikorfo E-Bike Tour

Zagori, Epirus

Experience the dramatic, sweeping landscapes of the famous Zagori region without the physical strain of traditional mountain cycling.

See full details
Negades E-Bike Tour
6-7 Hours
4-12 Group size

Negades E-Bike Tour

Zagori, Epirus

Discover the architectural wonders of Northern Greece with this highly relaxing, half-day e-bike tour through the famous stone bridges of Central Zagori.

See full details
Pamvotis Lake E-Bike Tour
3-4 Hours
4-12 Group size

Pamvotis Lake E-Bike Tour

Ioannina, Epirus

Discover the historic beauty of Ioannina from a completely new perspective with this highly relaxing, half-day e-bike tour around Lake Pamvotis.

See full details

Bicycle

Rental Terms

  1. General terms of renting a bicycle
  2. Renter’s obligations
  3. Repairs and maintenance
  4. Cancellation Policy
  5. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
  6. Confirmation of Acceptance

In order to ensure that you know exactly what our (and your) responsibilities are, please read the following terms and conditions.

  1. General terms of renting a bicycle
    • Driver’s minimum age: 15 years (with parental consent)
    • Minimum rental duration: up to four (4) hours
    • Payment policy: the rental of a bicycle is paid by cash or card or by deposit to one of the company’s bank accounts before the receipt
    • Equipment: Along with the delivery of the bike, the “Bikewise” company also delivers the necessary safety equipment (helmet, etc.) to the lessee with a strong recommendation to use it.
    • Receipt – deliveries: only from the shop “Bikewise” after agreement with a fee schedule.
    • In special occasions, the “Bikewise” company reserves the right to replace any type of bicycle with another one of the same categories
    • The terms and the prices can be modified without warning.

2. Renter’s obligations

    • The renter must make available to the company his personal identity details, his place of residence before receiving the bicycle.
    • The renter agrees to provide BIKEWISE the amount of 50€ per 2 bikes for precautionary use only and will be returned after the end of the bike tour.
    • The renter must check the bicycle before receiving it.
    • The renter, if he checks and receives the bicycle, means that he found it in good condition and to his liking.
    • The renter must ride the bike respecting the rules and obligations outlined in Greece’s laws, as well as committing himself/herself:
      • Based on the Greek Traffic Code, drinking alcohol and using a mobile phone while driving any vehicle is prohibited.
      • Not to adjust or manipulate the mechanical parts of the bicycle.
      • To park the bike in a manner that is safe for pedestrians and in a place where theft is minimized (e.g. no dark alleys).
      • To return the bike to the “Bikewise” company at the time and date indicated on the contract. A late return will be charged according to extra time the bicycle was used (for example, you rent for 1 day (20€) but return the bike the next day, you will charged 20€ extra.
    • In the case of mechanical malfunction, the renter must immediately notify the leasing company.
    • The renter shall return the bicycle and accompanying equipment to the leasing company in the same good condition he/she received it.
    • The renter must lock the bicycle each time it is left unsupervised.
    • The renter is wholly responsible for every accident, every damage or theft (partial or total) provoked to the rented bicycle.
    • The renter pays to the company the amount of the damage regardless of his liability.
    • The renter explicitly agrees that the company “Bikewise” is not responsible for any damage incurred to the renter, or a third person during the rental period and no claim can be made against the company in case of an accident.
    • The renter agrees that he/she will release the “Bikewise” company from any and all responsibility of liability for injuries or damages to the user of the equipment listed on this form or to any other person. The client accepts for full responsibility for the care of this equipment and thereby agrees to freely and expressly assume and accept any risks and all injury to the user of this equipment while bicycling.

3. Repairs and maintenance
In case of a breakdown, don’t abandon the bicycle. You should contact us immediately to arrange for the exchange of a bicycle of equivalent or superior quality. All repairs needed as a result of the use of the equipment including all parts, shall be paid by the renter.

4. Cancellation Policy
If a scheduled rental is cancelled due to poor weather conditions such as heavy rain, customers may reschedule their booking for another date. In all other cases of cancellation, credit/refund will be available to customers that only notify us via email or telephone at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled rental.

5. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
These Terms will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Greece, and you submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Greece for the resolution of any disputes.

6. Confirmation of Acceptance
By renting a bike or participating in a tour, you are acknowledging that you have read our terms and conditions and that you agree to be bound by them.

Terms of Service

Bike Tours

  1. “Bikewise” company’s participation terms in the bike tour
  2. Awareness and acceptance of objective risks
  3. Technical Briefing
  4. “Bikewise” company’s responsibility
  5. Bike Tour amendment – postponement- cancellation on behalf of the organizing company
  6. Insurance cover
  7. Video coverage and use of the picture or other material
  8. Advanced Payment – Cancellation policy
  9. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
  10. Acceptance of above terms of participation

1.“Bikewise” company’s participation terms in the bike tour
The bike tours organized by “Bikewise” company are suitable for people of all ages & physical condition. The distance, the elevation, the itinerary and more details are briefly described in the sections of bike tour program. The additional benefits offered in the context of bike tours (eg picnic, meal, accommodation, etc.) are determined by the organizing company and cannot be modified by the participants. Please let us know about any special dietary habits, allergies etc.

 All underage participants who are under 18 years old are able to participate under their guardians’  responsibility and need to be accompanied by them.

The only prerequisite for all the participants for their participation in the bike tour is their good mental and physical health, their will to cooperate with other participants and to follow the rules as they are being set by the organizers/ escorts. In the event that a participant does not comply with the rules of the organizers/ escorts, then the “Bikewise” company reserves the right to either stop the excursion or expel the participant who creates a problem without paying compensation fee on her part.

Any health problems on behalf of the participants should be referred, given that each one is the only responsible for his/her health, his/ her participation in every bike tour organized by “Bikewise” company.

The participant is obliged to check the bike before receiving it, if he/she checks and receives the bike it means that he/she found it in good condition and to his/her liking. Participant will return the bike and accompanying equipment to the company in the same good condition as received.

The participant is fully responsible for any accident, any damage or theft (partial or total) caused to the bike and is obliged to pay the amount due to the company for the damage to the bike regardless of its fault.

Minors or adult participants are fully responsible for the safekeeping of their personal items-equipment during the bike tour.

The participants are responsible to sign up on time and also to make their deposit on time to secure their reservation.

2. Awareness and acceptance of objective risks
Participants are aware and accept any possible risks that such bike tour/ might have and are aware of the risk of their transition through central and ring roads. Participants are advised to have undergone physical examinations relatively recently. On behalf of “Bikewise” company, the organizing company, will not be asked a medical certificate, given that all participants are participating under their own and exclusive responsibility and they declare the above. It is the sole responsibility of the participants to get to and from the starting and ending points of the bike tour and the organizer bears no responsibility whatsoever. However, in the event that a participant does not have a means of transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the bike tour, he/she may, after contacting the company “Bikewise”, request his/her transportation.
In the event that one of the participants wishes to stop and withdraw from the cycling excursion after it has started, he/she is not entitled to compensation regardless of the reason for his/her withdrawal.

3. Technical Briefing
Before the start of each bike tour, all the details are presented and safety instructions are provided that participants are required to follow and a detailed technical briefing is carried out, as well as the necessary safety equipment is provided to the participants. Attendance is the sole responsibility of the participants. The bike tour will not start unless all participants are wearing the necessary safety equipment.

4. “Bikewise” company’s responsibility
“Bikewise” company being the organizing company of bike tours is obliged to provide the most intact and safest equipment, which meets the international specifications, to secure the most intact planning for safe routes, to provide experienced and trained escorts, to inform the participants for any possible risk estimation.
The organizing company is not responsible for possible injuries or any health damage caused to the competitors or possible health problems or death owed to lack of preliminary health checks or to fall off the participant.

The organizing company disclaims any responsibility relative to:

    • the physical integrity of the participants, who are obliged to behave responsibly throughout the race.
    • possible injuries of anyone that participates in the bike tour under any role (viewer, escort, agent).
    • to any loss or destruction of material and is not responsible for possible damages of any type of equipment before, during and after the bike tour.
    • financial issues for any case and for any of the participant, or any other person under any other role.

5. Bike Tour amendment – postponement- cancellation on behalf of the organizing company
“Bikewise” company, preserves the right to amend the route, to postpone the bike tour for a short period of time or to transfer them on another date or to cancel them in cases when matters of security or for reasons of force majeure, like natural destruction, unsuitable weather conditions, strikes, other abnormalities arise.In cases of cancellation of the bike tour on behalf of the organizing company, the total sum of the participation fee that was deposited by the participant will be refunded. The last is not applicable for any other claims.

6. Insurance cover
“Bikewise” company provides all participants with simple civil liability insurance.

7. Video coverage and use of the picture or other material
“Bikewise” company, has the right to use any photograph or video irrespective of the participants that appear in this material. Before the start of the bike tour, there is made a presentation and a thorough technical briefing. In the event that you do not wish for such a thing, please inform us in writing.

8. Advanced Payment – Cancellation policy
In case someone wishes to reserve a large number of seats for a bike tour (5 seats or more) an advance payment of 50% of the cost of the bike tour is required for each participant.
If you wish to cancel your tour, you can call us or contact us via the contact form.
Please note that in case you are canceling the booking, the following policy applies:
100% refund 30 days in advance
80% refund 29-20 days in advance
50% refund 19-7 days in advance
0% refund less than 7 days in advance
If service is canceled by “Bikewise” company you will be offered an alternative date/time/location.
If you don’t agree to the offered alternate date/time/location, you will receive a 100% refund.
“Bikewise” company l preserves the right to amend the route, to postpone the bike tour for a short period of time or to transfer them on another date or to cancel them in cases when matters of security or for reasons of force majeure, like natural destruction, unsuitable weather conditions, strikes, other abnormalities arise.
In cases of cancellation of the bike tour on behalf of the organizing company, the total sum of the participation fee that was deposited by the participant/cyclist/competitor will be refunded. The last is not applicable for any other claims.

9. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
These Terms will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Greece, and you submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Greece for the resolution of any disputes.

10. Acceptance of above terms of participation
The participants of the bike tour declare that they accept the present terms and are obliged to follow them.

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