Acheron Gorge

Beginning from Glyki, we can venture into the river of legends, the gorge and the springs of Acheron. The dirt road that starts from Glyki, leads along the river into a forest of plane trees. By abandoning the car, one can continue walking on the path to the river’s springs.

Murgana

Starting from the village of Vavouri, on the steep slopes of Mourgana, you can reach the highest peak of the mountain at an altitude of 1806 m. The view to the side of Thesprotia is fantastic. To Albania, the mansions of the village of Sotira are clearly distinguished under a beautiful fir forest.

In general, in the area of Mourgana one can visit the famous monastery of Kamitsiani, whose is preserved in a very good condition, and the folk museum of Tsamada with hundreds of objects from the everyday life of the past, costumes, and a rich photographic archive. There is an organized guesthouse in the village of Lia.

KALAMA, OSDINA , SPYROPIGADIA, RAVENI

There is a gorge forgotten by the time, which is crossed by Kalamas, a river legend. At the beginning and at the end, the citadels of Osdina and Ravenis are guarded. One can visit the gorge from many places, starting from Igoumenitsa, Ioannina or Filiates.

From Igoumenitsa, climbing the highway to Ioannina, we turn left towards the villages of Plakoti and Pente Ekklisies. Before the village of Pente Ekklisies we take the dirt road leading to “Paliohora”. The views of the churches of Byzantine Osnada are magnificent!

Arriving at the bridge that connects both sides of the river, the road continues for the Filiates. On the rocky hill is the Acropolis with the ancient castle, Byzantine fortifications and churches. One can visit her from a road if he turns a little back to the Five Churches. In the gorge we descend from the left bank of the river. There are the ruins of a unique bridge, standing like a monument in the middle of Kalamas for centuries. Then we walk under shady plane trees all the way along the river. The canyon begins to stand up against its walls above us and lonely ascetic ghosts look through their caves on the rocks. Legends of hidden treasures and golden chalices accompany them. But the treasures are at our feet: The gorge flora has to show some of the most rare types of flowers.

Arriving at the “Spyropigadia” one can rest beside the springs that spring from everywhere. A ruined “road” leads the visitor back to the village of Pente Ekklisies. If one wishes to continue, he must enter the shallow spots in the river and pass to the opposite bank. In a truly evocative landscape the route is interrupted by the cliff at the location “Faragopidima”. Then we reach the village of Polydroso following the path that starts next to an old watermill. From Polydrosos one can go by road at the beginning of the journey or continue the journey through the river to the Anavristika, under the castle of Ravenis. A dirt road returns the visitor to “culture” on the Filiates-Vrosina road.

MARSHE OF KALODIKI

To the south of the Prefecture of Thesprotia, marshe of Kalodiki constitutes, in the wild landscape, another station for migratory birds. Surrounded by mountains and large reeds, it differs from the estuary of Kalamas. Many aquatic birds (herons, ducks) find shelter in the reeds.

Predatory birds, such as golden eagles, pimples, come from the surrounding mountains to hunt. In the northern part, a large area is covered by water lilies. End of May, blooming, the marsh gives a spectacle unique.

Where to go and how:

From Igoumenitsa, follow the National Road to Parga. Shortly after Margariti, before the junction to Parga, at the height of the Morphi settlement, you are exposed to the water surface of the marsh. Enjoy the view from various places along the street, or take some time to walk on the path that surrounds the wetland. With binoculars, you will discover, among the reeds and other aquatic plants, wonderfully wading birds and perhaps some myocastor rays. On your visit, remember that birds and other animals that find shelter in the marsh, need from isolation and sensitive to discomfort.