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The area of Oreini Nafpaktia or Kravara, as it was formerly called, is a fascinating mountain destination located in the eastern part of Aitoloakarnania, north of Nafpaktos and between Lake Trichonida and Fokida. At the southern extremities of Pindos, Oxia, Panetoliko and Vardousia, with Mornos, Evinos and its tributary Kochalos to the south, it includes about 55 villages, "little eagle nests" in the heart of lush green forests of fir, walnut, beech and chestnut trees. In Oreini Nafpaktia you will find landscapes and experiences of authentic Greek countryside. Natural paths connecting settlements with stone-built houses, forests, waterfalls, rivers and lakes, tsipouro, wine, chestnuts, mushrooms, festivals and gatherings.
Ano Chora (formerly called Megali Lobotina), perhaps the best known village of the region (formerly the seat of the Municipality of Apodotia), is built at 1050m altitude, on the northern slopes of Mount Sirta. Picturesque and beautiful, it impresses with its natural beauties, its narrow cobbled streets in the old market, the traditional cafes and the imposing church of Agia Paraskevi. Next to the church stands the “Karnavalos” the small old colourful bus that connected Ano Chora and Kato Chora with Nafpaktos until 1983.
In October the whole village and visitors gather chestnuts. They taste tsipouro and chestnuts at the “Tsipouro and Chestnut Festival” which takes place every year in the second ten days of October. November is the month of mushrooms in Ano Chora and a favourite destination of every foodie. In February you will be delighted by the “Feast of Tsigarithra” Grills are set up and visitors are offered free of charge Tsigarithras (small pieces of pork) with potatoes and wine or tsipouro.
From the village there are beautiful hiking trails to the surrounding villages such as Kato Chora, Ambelakiotissa and Kryoneria. To plan your excursions you can refer to the alternative activities park https://www.outdoorlab.gr
Ano Chora is about 55 km from Nafpaktos, 275 km from Athens, 75 km from Patras, 90 km from Karpenisi and 222 km from Ioannina.
Elatou is an idyllic getaway destination, at an altitude of 1,050m, on the verdant slopes of the Kerasovouni peak. Here, nature truly steals the show. Fir trees alternate with chestnut, holm, oak and apple trees and invite you for interesting nature excursions and outdoor activities.
In the centre of the settlement dominates the church, dedicated to the Metamorphosis of the Saviour, built in 1864 by Epirot masons. Walking along the cobbled streets is an opportunity to enjoy authentic Greek coffee and discover local flavours (aromatic honey, pies, jams, freshly baked bread, grilled meats, etc.) in the village shops.
In the area the visitor also finds many chapels, built in landscapes of incomparable beauty, such as Zoodochos Pigi in Kamares, Agia Sophia and Ai-Lia on the homonymous peak of Omalia.
If you are doing 4×4 routes from the centre of Elato ask to be shown the dirt road to Alepochori (11 km). From here you will exit at the hill “Haratsi” and continue to the summit of Omalia where there is a wonderful plateau with a regional view of the mountains and the Corinthian Gulf.
Kryoneria of Nafpaktia Mountains is a green paradise at an altitude of 1,200m, which combines nature with culture and impresses the visitor with its beauty and picturesqueness. With a visit to the Folklore Museum of Kryoneria one can discover the long and rich historical and cultural heritage of the village.
In August, the Honey and Walnut Festival takes place in the stone square of the village. It is a special day of joy as the expatriates return to the village for the summer holidays, friends and relatives meet, and preparations are made early in the traditional village café.
Both the villagers and visitors enjoy the walks among the fir trees and the hikes to the church of Prophet Elias, the ascent to Mount Tsekoura with the mountain top at an altitude of 1,732m and a view that compensates you. One of the most enjoyable routes is to the Pergari Observatory, which is known for its magnificent view of Evinolimni, with the sun disappearing behind the mountains at sunset. Do not miss to visit the monastery of Agios Dimitrios, at the “Selperi” location.
Kryoneria is an ideal choice for mountain bike enthusiasts as well as for off-road enthusiasts, as there are impressive off-road routes through the forest for 4×4 cars and off-road motorcycles.
The area has organised tourist infrastructure and is about 49km from Nafpaktos.
Grammeni Oxya, is hidden in the embrace of mountains and forests, where the only good (as it has been written) that it has in abundance is the wild beauty of its landscapes. The whole area is a monument of natural beauty! A natural landscape of infinite beauty that has not been altered in the slightest by human intervention. Here is the southernmost beech forest in Europe, to the north of the village and extending to the top of the mountain of Oxya, Sarandiana, in the heart of Roumeli.
This small mountainous village of Aitoloakarnania is located on the northwestern slopes of Vardousia, built at 1,130 meters. You will find few inhabitants in winter, but hundreds in summer. The small square of the village is a point of reference for young and old, especially in August. Smells from a lit fireplace but also from the spits swirling local meats and the famous roasts simmered in the oven lure visitors to the village.
At an altitude of 1740 m is the mountaineering refuge of Oxyas. The shelter “L. Evtaxis”, is functioning and is quite organized. Especially popular are the hiking trails in the area. Access from Nafpaktos, after passing the villages of Kato Dafni – Pefkaki – Filothei – Diascension you head for Varnakova monastery – Krokylion – Pentayoi – Artotina – Grammeni Oxya. From the Lamia-Karpenisii E.O. and after passing Makrakomi, you will head towards the village of Gardiki Omilaion and continue to Grammeni Oxya.
Platanos is a traditional head village of NW Nafpaktia, on the slope of the mountain Alonaki, at an altitude of 850m. under the canopy of a dense forest with clusters of fir and deciduous trees (elms, wild apples, maples, oaks etc.), in the heart of the area of Kravara. The stone-built two-storey mansions with impressive stone reliefs, the cobbled cobbled streets and the picturesque square with the imposing church of Agios Nikolaos bear witness to the prosperity of its inhabitants, especially at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. A huge plane tree that used to stand in the location of Megali Vrysi gave its name to this wonderful village of the mountainous Nafpaktia.
In the picturesque square of the village you will find the Museum of National Resistance and the Folklore Museum. In Platanos there are tourist facilities and you will taste good, homemade traditional food in the shops of the area.
Ascending to the top of Mount Alonaki, you will enjoy a wonderful view of the river Evinos. Above Platanos, among century-old holly trees, the chapel of Pammegistoi Taxiarchon dominates. Walk along the path from Platanos to the bridge of Artotiva (Achladokastro), it is for the most part stone-built, comfortable and in a fairly good condition.
Also, the formerly separate settlement, Kato Platanos, now belongs to Platanos and offers an excellent opportunity for a walk, as it is located just 10 minutes further down, on the south-eastern side of Mount Alonaki.
After leaving Platanos behind, after 10km, reaching an altitude of about 1,200m, you will come across one of the most historic hani in Greece: the Hani of Liolios, which has been standing there among the fir trees since 1819. It is also recommended for its food, especially if you go in winter, as you will find wild boar stew, goat stew, handmade pies, as well as wine and tsipouro of their own production.
The area is 50km from Nafpaktos and 27km from Thermos.
Arachova is a small mountain village of the Municipality of Nafpaktia, on the border with the prefecture of Evritania. It is built amphitheatrically on the slopes of the Vardousia mountain range with a panoramic view of Evinolimni, has abundant running water, dense vegetation of fir trees, plane trees, walnut trees, chestnut trees and cherry trees. The old houses, most of them built of slate, are of particular architectural interest, representing a wide range of tradition with many influences from the architecture of Epirus. In the centre of the village, there is the mansion of the Sismanians, built in 1898, and in a short distance the village school, which today houses a folklore museum. It is worth an excursion to the crystalline Megali Vrisi (Big Fountain), which is surrounded by century-old plane trees and a huge cave from which the water springs.
Arachova is a village for every season of the year, offering images of rare beauty. In autumn, winter, spring and summer the landscape is enchanting as nature generously offers a feast of colours. Both in the village and in the villages around Evinolimni there are plenty of rooms and hotels to let where high quality services are always offered with professionalism and care. In Arachova and in the surrounding villages there are catering businesses offering coffee and traditional products.
It is 83 km from Nafpaktos, 104 km from Lamia (via Karpenisi) and 61 km from Thermo.
Kefalochori of the Municipality of Platanos, endowed with a unique nature, built on the right bank of the river Evinos. Green mountains, sounds of gurgling waters, a freshness of air and smells from the century-old trees characterize the area. The Mega stream divides Klepa into two districts, Upper and Lower Klepa. Upper Klepa rests on the mountain Kokkinia and Kato Klepa on the western slopes of the mountain Xerovouni. The altitude of the village is set at about 780m.
The number of districts of the village (4) is equal to the number of parishes. A stone bridge with the homonymous name of Bridge of Stena is located in the straits of Klepa and is one of the most beautiful sights of the village. In earlier years it brought the inhabitants of the village in communication with the opposite villages Kryoneria, Elatovrisi etc. Above the bridge there are the inaccessible rocks of Apokleistra of Klepas where during the period of Turkish rule many inhabitants hid to escape from the Turks. Nowadays you can find here rare birds of prey such as eagles and hawks.
In the area of Kokkinia there is the cave of Gavatotrypa with unique stalactites and stalagmites. No one should miss the visit to Drakospilia located in Xerovouni while the hike to the peak “Koukuros” is highly recommended through a unique 25-minute route through a fir forest.
Visit a mountain paradise with plenty of options for relaxation and contact with nature. It has tourist accommodation and catering facilities.
Simou, which has always been the head village (formerly the seat of the Municipality of Pilini), is perched on the southwestern foothills of Mount Kalpaki. It is considered the predominant tinker village of Nafpaktia and is distinguished for the architecture of its houses. In the centre of the village dominates the traditional three-storey stone building where the Town Hall used to be housed and today it is being reconstructed to create a traditional guesthouse.
Simou was however known in the wider region for the local builders. Leaving the village you will find the stone-built Fountain Lionari and in a short distance the Trani Fountain. A short distance away is also the watermill of Giannias Boules. Also visit the place “Haikali” with its stone ruins and many well-preserved threshing floors.
An essential stop on your tour is the settlement of Campos Simou. To the south of the settlement is the torrent Poriaris which, following a westerly direction, ends up in the Evinos River. The locals call the settlement Simokambo and its most important attraction is the stone bridge on the Poriaris River, built around 1885. A short distance away is the Loutropigi Stahtis. The surrounding area is overgrown with plane trees, holm oaks, holly trees, oak trees and is a natural refuge for many endemic species such as deer, wild boars and other animals and birds.
The mountains and hills along with the stone bridges along the river Evinos and Mount Kotsalos are suitable for hiking and trekking. Of particular interest is the drawbridge at Dosoula – Kampos Stratomas, on the Euin River known as Kareli.
In Kambos Simos there are tourist facilities and the possibility of horse riding. The area is 33km from Nafpaktos, 505 km from Thessaloniki and 239 km from Thessaloniki. From Athens.
Paleopyrgos (formerly Velvitsaina) is spread out on the western foothills of the mountain Vlasinias. Its name is due to the old tower (Koulia tou Kanavos or Kanavopyrgos) located in the rural district of Marathia (the chiflis of the Kanavae, a noble family of the Kravarians).
Today the village consists of 8 mahalades (districts) and has 17 churches. There were also 4 mills in various places and a windmill at the Anemaki (Anemaki) neck. This is a representative sample of special-purpose buildings, important for the study of the history of architecture. As parts of a wider geographical area with watermills, they are evidence of the industrial activity and economic life of the area.
The water resources and the numerous springs of the village made it possible for agriculture and livestock farming to develop and contributed to the creation of a unique green landscape of meadows and valleys of unique beauty.
Those who visit the ‘Cherry Festival’, which takes place every year in early June, have the opportunity to taste cool cherries, cherry pies and spoon sweets.
The area is 24 km from Nafpaktos.
Perched on the mountains of Oreini Nafpaktia, built on two opposite slopes, at an altitude of 760 meters, it is a proposal for those looking for a way out in nature and a breath of freedom away from urban centers, just 39 km. From Nafpaktos. The nature is truly impressive with dense forests of fir, cedar, chestnut, oak and holly, with the four streams that cross it, the gorges, the famous Drakovrisi, the old watermill and the countless fountains with their cool waters. The stone-built houses blend harmoniously into the natural landscape, stirring up memories of toil and images of rural life of a bygone era.
The inhabitants of the village keep their traditions unchanged and every year on 26 July they organize a festival that attracts many visitors and residents from the surrounding villages.
A few minutes north of Paleopyrgos is “Agia Kyriaki”, a location overgrown with fir trees at an altitude of over a thousand meters, where there is also the church of the same name. It is a landscape of unsurpassed beauty in the greenery and a favourite destination for mushroom lovers.
