November 21-22
Tzoumerka, also known as the Athamanika Mountains, is one of the largest mountain ranges in western Greece. They span the regions of Ioannina and Arta and embrace a collection of beautiful villages.
Landscapes of wild beauty, with stone-built villages, monasteries, and churches perched on cliffs and rocks. Rivers, gorges, and waterfalls create a unique setting, thrilling for mountain lovers and nature enthusiasts of all kinds.
Once, it took an entire journey to reach there, but now, with the Ionian Road, the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, and improvements made to the Athens-Patras route, it is much more accessible.
In modern Greek history, Tzoumerka became particularly renowned, even famous, as one of the largest centers of Greek Klephts, as well as a notable armatoloi region. The rugged mountainous nature and the presence of large and numerous herders provided favorable conditions for the Klephts. Each sheepfold essentially served as an organized logistics base for the so-called “bands” (armed groups) of the Klephts. In the so-called tsiligata, where the tsiligas were the leaders of the herder clans, they themselves were the main informants of the Klephts. On the steep ridges of this mountain complex, it was very natural for a strong liberal spirit to develop, which was recognized even by the Sultans, granting various privileges, such as in the Zagorochoria.
During the Ottoman period, the villages of Tzoumerka were characterized as “free” and were called “Kefalochoria.” In the time of Ali Pasha, Tzoumerka was an important armatoloi region from which a multitude of renowned captains emerged, with the most notable being the brave Katsantonis. After the death of Ali Pasha, only four out of the approximately 30 villages of Tzoumerka managed to preserve some of their old privileges, and these were Kalarrytes, Syrrako, Matsouki, and Melissourgoi, which were centers of economic and intellectual development in the wider region of Epirus.
Syrrako, Kalarrytes, and Katsanochoria, and between them, the rivers Arachthos and Kalarrytis create a habitat of unique beauty and charm, on the exciting terrain of Pindos. Accommodations and taverns in the area can meet even the demands of the most “difficult” travelers.
It is a unique travel destination throughout the year, a place of coolness and tranquility during the summer, snow-white, snowy, and wild during the winter. The distance between them is no more than 1,500 meters. They are connected by a beautiful path, but to go from one to the other by car, you need about 40 minutes of driving and ups and downs through gorges along the Kalarrytis River. Before the villages in the area were liberated from the Turks, this path was the passage from the Greek to the Turkish side.
The walks along the banks of the Kalarrytis River are of exceptional beauty. Crystal clear and pristine, it flows into the Arachthos.
Where the two villages almost meet, lies the famous and largest single-arched bridge in the Balkans, the Plaka Bridge. It is the bridge that collapsed a few years ago due to the river’s rushing waters but was quickly rebuilt with most of the materials gathered from the riverbeds.
Day 1
Our meeting will take place in the square of the mountain village Athamania Trikalon, where we will settle in the area’s only guesthouse. We pack the essentials in our backpack (if it’s summer, swimsuit and towel) and set off to explore and cool off in the Moutsiaritis River and its Springs.
The locals call it the Narrow, a place unknown to many, but it is a gorge of unparalleled beauty.
Return to the village for dinner and planning for the next day.
4 – 5 hours of hiking
Day 2
Early in the morning, we enjoy our breakfast in the tranquility of the area, pack our things, and with our cars, we head to the village Matsouki, from where our ascent to the highest peak of Tzoumerka, Kakarditsa, at an altitude of 2,429 meters, will begin.
Starting from the square, we will pass by the village’s Watermill and the chapel of Saint Athanasios before the path begins to ascend, leading us to the dirt roads that end at the high pastures of the area at an altitude of 1,850 meters. A break at this point is necessary before our final ascent and approach to the Western Ridge of Kakarditsa at an altitude of 2,190 meters, where following it, we gain the remaining elevation and reach the summit.
Along with the classic summit photos, our eyes reach as far as the area of Acheloos, Tringia, Peristeri, and of course, Arachthos and the entire mountainous mass of Tzoumerka.
Return to the village for necessary recovery and, of course, planning for our next excursion. 8 – 9 hours of hiking
Essential equipment:
- Trail running or trekking or hiking shoes
- Sportswear or hiking clothes suitable for every season
- Waterproof – windproof jacket
- Fleece or cotton jacket
- Hat – gloves
- Snacks like sandwiches, bars, pasteli, nuts, fruits, etc.
- Hiking poles
- 40-liter backpack
- Hat – buff – sunglasses
- Towel – swimsuit – flip-flops
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle or bladder
- Headlamp
- Personal hygiene items
- Sleeping bag, mat – tent (where required by the excursion)
Cost 165 euros / person
- One night in a hotel in Matsouki with breakfast.
- Guide for the hikes and throughout the 2-day period
- Personal private accident insurance
For more information and reservations, contact us at 6972934764 Raios Giorgos & e-mail: [email protected]
