Archives: Activities

The Arachthos River, which flows through the Municipality of North Tzoumerka, is renowned as the most beautiful rafting route in Greece. With graded difficulty levels, it is ideal for both beginners and experienced rafters. Vertical cliffs, waterfalls, underground rivers, and caves with nests of wild birds create a mesmerizing journey in the heart of the Tzoumerka National Park.

The most popular route starts from Politsa Bridge in Ambelochori and ends at Plaka Bridge, crossing the third in a series of navigable sections of the Arachthos, arguably  the most beautiful in Greece. In the middle of the route, there is a stop for swimming below the Klifki waterfall. The entrance to the narrow Arachthos gorge is imposing, with vertical cliffs rising 700 meters. Along the rafting route, there are springs gushing from rock clefts, waterfalls flowing from above into the river, and rare bird species nesting on the remote cliffs of the gorge. At the exit of the gorge, you will find the spot dominated by the largest single-arch bridge in the Balkans and the third largest in Europe, the Plaka Bridge, which had collapsed in February 2015 due to heavy rainfall but was fully restored by December 2019. This relatively easy 10-kilometer route with a difficulty rating of III and a duration of approximately 2 hours is ideal for beginners, offering continuous waves, sharp turns, and grade 2 and 3 passages.

A similarly challenging but longer route extends from Politsa Bridge to Tsari Bridge in the Arta Region. From Plaka Bridge to the end of this route, boats face significant waves. The route is graded III, and it takes about 4 hours to cover approximately 22 kilometers.

The Kalarritikos River, one of the main tributaries of the Arachthos, also offers opportunities for rafting. The route starts from Gogos Bridge and has a higher difficulty level, as the river’s slope is noticeable. In the narrow gorge, boats encounter continuous strong waves and interesting grade 3 and 4 passages. The most challenging passages of the river are at the beginning of this route, known as the Symplegades (Clashing Rocks), as the rocks in the middle of the river make the descent an adventure for the daring. The route unfolds in the canyon below the Tsouka Monastery and the wire bridge of “Lysias,” which connects the two riverbanks. It is a place of wild beauty in an alpine landscape, with crystal-clear waters flowing to meet the Arachthos River after 18 kilometers and about 3 to 3½ hours at Plakas Bridge. This is the ultimate extreme rafting route in the Tzoumerka region, offering an adrenaline rush with its demands for strength and precision maneuvers.

A fourth option, suitable for experienced rafters, is the route from Krapsi Bridge to Tsimovo Bridge. This is a challenging route (grade 4) with strong waves and an imposing gorge in the middle. The Lakmos mountain range on the left bank, the small but beautiful gorge, and, of course, the stone bridge of “Papastathis” are among the strong points of natural beauty that complement the exhilarating descent, along with the challenging passages of the Arachthos. The duration of the route is approximately 2 hours, and the total length is 10 kilometers.

For those seeking even more excitement than rafting can offer, there are options for two-person inflatable “hot-dog” boats, single-person “monoraft” boats, and kayaking. Hot dog, monoraft, and kayak descents provide a higher adrenaline rush and stronger thrills as they require a more aggressive and faster approach. These three types of vessels are much more flexible than a traditional rafting boat, and the river’s current dictates their course. The paddler must navigate and avoid obstacles encountered along the way.

Maintaining excellent physical fitness is essential, as the water’s speed and waves increase the level of difficulty. These activities offer a thrilling experience for adventure enthusiasts who enjoy the challenge of more dynamic and rapid water navigation.

In recent years, the Tzoumerka region has also become a popular destination for those seeking a canyoning experience. Canyoning is a complex outdoor activity with devoted enthusiasts that combines hiking, climbing, rock descending, river crossing, and swimming. When encountering waterfalls, it may also involve high jumps into the water. Canyoning requires the use of ropes, climbing gear, and specialized suits to protect against water.

The ideal locations for canyoning in the Tzoumerka region include the Papadima Gorge, near Charokopi, and the Klifki Gorge, below the village of Kalentzi. These gorges offer diverse and challenging terrains for canyoning enthusiasts to explore and enjoy the thrill of descending through the rugged natural beauty of the area.

The diversity of the Tzoumerka region offers opportunities for impressive aerial crossings (flying fox) and rappelling from vertical cliffs. You can “fly” from one side to the other using the flying fox, “walk” on vertical cliffs, and “descend” with the rappelling technique.
For those who want to experience the thrill of an aerial crossing, head to the area near Plaka Bridge. Using climbing equipment, you can hang suspended from a pulley that slides along a slanted cable, crossing from one side of the river to the other. This spectacular aerial crossing spans 70 meters over the Arachthos River, with the speed increasing continuously until the brakes engage just before reaching the trees.
Rappelling is done in two locations. The first is on a natural vertical rock face, 35 meters high, in Platanoussa (of moderate difficulty). It offers an impressive descent from a secured rock with a negative incline, located in the central square of the village, providing panoramic views of the Arachthos valley and the Tzoumerka mountain range.
The second rappelling location is on a 50-meter rock face at the Holy Monastery of Kipina. With a view of the narrow Kalarritikos Gorge, your body weight is suspended from a rock using climbing ropes and climbing equipment. It is a thrilling experience, hanging on a cliff while enjoying the scenery of the Kalarritikos Gorge and the Tzoumerka region.

One way to explore the beauty of Tzoumerka is by mountain biking. You can wander through the villages of the area using forest roads, dirt paths, and streams. Some of the most popular routes include cycling through the pine-covered forest on the hill of Faneromeni, heading to Prophet Elias in Kostitsi with a panoramic view of the confluence of Kalarritikos and Arachthos rivers, cycling to Plakas Bridge, and visiting the abandoned village of Mega Ambelia.

In addition, there is a downhill track in Pramanta with a length of 2.5 kilometers and an altitude difference of 400 meters. The track starts from the Pramanta mountain refuge and ends just outside the settlement, while its name is Pramadol.

The entire area of the Municipality of Northern Tzoumerka offers unique mountaineering and hiking routes, as the mountains, forests, gorges, and rivers invite visitors to explore them. Some of the most well-known routes, but not the only ones, include:

• Mountaineering route Matsouki – Viliza – Kalarrites (2 hours)
• Mountaineering route Matsouki – summit of Stroggoula (2429 m) – mountain refuge at Isioma location (4 hours, challenging)
• Mountaineering to the summit of Kakarditsa
• Mountaineering trail T2: Fir Forest of Markopoulo – Raftaneoi – Monastery of Panagia Mouchousiotissa
• Mountaineering trail T1: Christoi – Kipina Monastery – Kalarrites or Syrrako
• Hiking trail Syrrako – Kalarrites through the Chroussia Gorge (old mills). This is a trail of approximately 4.5 kilometers, and the time required to complete it does not exceed 1½ hours.
• Hiking trail: Pramanta – Stroggoula – Monastery of Agia Paraskevi – Pramanta Cave (2 hours)

These routes offer a wide range of hiking and mountaineering experiences, from moderate walks to challenging ascents, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Tzoumerka region.

For those looking for a gentle outdoor activity, archery is an ideal choice. Some of the companies operating in the Tzoumerka region provide professional targets, arrows, and bows for those who aspire to achieve the glory of William Tell and Robin Hood. Archery is an addictive pursuit suitable for individuals of all ages.