Δραστηριότητες
MONASTERY OF PANAGIA AMPELAKIOTISSA
At a distance of 500m from the hostel, there is the famous Monastery of Panagia Ampelakiotissa, built after 1455. Its name comes from the image of Panagia (“Holy Mary”) that was saved from the Turks’ rage in the village Ampelakia of Thessaly and according to tradition it was found by miracle in the area.
CROSSING THE GORGE OF KAKAVOS
The gorge of Kakavos is at a distance of one hour from Ampelakiotissa and has good signage. The main river that crosses the gorge is Kotsalos. In an altitude of approximately 650m, the bridge of Kakavos connects at its narrowest point the steep hillsides of the gorge. Its construction is dated in the end of 19th century. Its length is 15 meters; its width is approximately 2 meters, while its height from the river-bed exceeds 10 meters. The bridge facilitated transportation for the needs of communication with the neighbouring village, Ano Chora. Travellers, carriers with their mules, merchants, post officers, shepherds with their flocks and pilgrims of the monastery were crossing its stone-paved road.
CLIMB AT THE TOP OF TSEKOURA
The top of Tsekoura has an altitude of 1.732. Even if it cannot be considered one of the highest, the views of each point of the horizon are impressive. The most spectacular is towards north-west the imposing mountain of Vardousia, while towards the south there is Ampelakiotissa. By taking the road to Perdikovrysi, 7km above the hostel, at a road turn with enough space for parking, you leave the car and the path starts from that point. There is a short route from where you climb straight to the top, but it is tiring and steep. From that point of the road, someone can see the Evinos Lake and the surrounding villages, if they do not want to descend until that far. There are other beautiful tops that we can climb such as Profitis Ilias and further away Tsakalaki.
WALK TO EVINOS LAKE
At a distance of only 15km from the hostel you will find yourselves next to the lake. The route is stunning and even if some point has dirt road, you will not have trouble. Of course, for those that have a 4×4 car, the route is appropriate for… tests. The dam is in a unique natural environment where you will admire the scenery, or you can travel parallel to the banks and visit traditional villages. The road leads to Karpenisi.
