Aoos ravine - Ioannina
The Aoos ravine is part of the Vikos-Aoos National Park and it is located in the northwest of the Pindos range and in the southeast of Konitsa in the Prefecture of Ioannina .
The ravine lies to the southeastern and western slopes of Mounts Trapezitsa-Roidovouni, which are the branches of mount Smolikas . Its direction is from northwest to southeast.
 The Aoos river, famous for its natural beauty, flows down the ravine. The maze-like river attracts many tourists who can enjoy the sports of canoeing-kayaking, as well as the unique beauty of the landscape. Access to the ravine is possible by the single-arched stone-bridge of the Aoos river, which is built at the lower end of the town of Konitsa .
Konitsa lies to the north of the Prefecture of Ioannina and it is built at the foot of Mount Trapezitsa , at the altitude of 650m. The town is accessible by the Ioannina-Kozani national road and it is 65km far from Ioannina.
MORPHOLOGY OF THE AOOS RAVINE
The Aoos ravine lies, as mentioned above, between Timfi and Smolikas with altitudes ranging from 440m (Konitsa bridge) to 2032m for the Smolikas range and 2497m for the Timfi range.
A special characteristic of the ravine is the intense topographical morphology, with steep inclinations and unusual altitude alternations.
These characteristics can be especially seen near Konitsa, en route for the Stomio Monastery and they depict the magnificence of the landscape.
Generally, in the western part of the Aoos ravine, inclinations and intense but not steep in contrast with the eastern part which has the form of a gorge with high and vertical walls.
The Aoos ravine is a deep cut into the mountenous terrain of the northern Pindos and it was formed by the erosive force of water in the course of time.
The water is responsible for the craggy shape of the mountainsides. Its erosive force sweeps away solid materials and deposits them on the lower parts of the mountains.
However, vegetation covers almost the whole ravine, even the vertical rocky spots.
HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS
The main feature of the area is the Aoos river, which has its springs in the Valia Kalda National Park . Its total length, from its springs to the plain of Konitsa, is about 50km.
The hydrologic net of the area comprises numerous mountain brooks of steady but mostly seasonal flow. These are responsible for the steep inclinations on the slopes. The erosion is greater mainly on barren parts which is a characteristic of the Alpine zone.
Springs can be found mainly at the lower attitudes where the subsoil is mostly composed of limestone.
 On the contrary, in the parts where the flysch is predominant, springs can be found even at higher altitudes. Considering the fact that limestone covers the greatest part of the area, we would advice the visitors to have a good supply of water with them, since springs cannot be found at higher altitudes.
CLIMATE
The climate in the Aoos ravine is determined by the altitude. At the lower altitudes, along the Aoos river, the climate gets colder.
Snowfalls are heavy during the winter months and the higher altitude areas are covered with snow from October till May.
Glaciers can be seen on the slopes
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