The mountainous Nafpaktia is a hidden treasure of Central Greece, full of natural beauty, picturesque villages and paths that bring you closer to nature. We recently spent three unforgettable days in this beautiful region, hiking, exploring and tasting the local cuisine. If you are looking for a destination that combines mountains, tranquility, beauty, culture and tradition, Mountainous Nafpaktia is the ideal choice.
The day of arrival
Friday afternoon we started by car from Athens and after around 5 hours we arrived at the village of Elatou, where we spent the next three nights. We chose to go to Mountainous Nafpaktia by following the road from Livadia, in order to pay 2 tolls (that of Athens and Thebes) and avoid incredible traffic on our way back to the capital.
So we arrived quite late at our hotel but without having realized the beauty of the area that we faced the next morning, as the night cought us while we were still in low altitude, in coastal Itea.
The value for money hotel we chose to stay at, was the Elatou hotel which is located outside of Elatou village. Very good prices per night with breakfast, lovely garden with incredible views, warm indoor area with a fireplace to relax in the evenings, neat kitchen to dine there midday – evening and excellent service from Mr Polykarpos and his son who run the hotel with such a professionalism and above all with love, all these years!
First day: Hike to Elatou
So our first stop is the picturesque village of Elatou, which is located at an altitude of 1,100 meters and is surrounded by fir trees and steep mountains. The atmosphere there is peaceful, and the village offers the perfect spot to enjoy the view and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
On the first day after having our breakfast, we started from the hotel on foot for the hiking trail that leads to the chapel of Agios Georgios just outside the Elatou village. The trail is easily accessible and gave us great view of the forest and the area. Arriving at the chapel, we felt a sense of peace as we gazed at the panoramic view.
From there we turned back a few meters and continued following the overgrown Lakka-Agia Paraskevi path (you will also find a relevant sign), a beautiful, relatively easy and short path, an ideal place for relaxation and tranquility in nature.
In the afternoon, we returned to our hotel to take the car and head a few kilometers before Ano Chora, where the starting point of the path to Omalia peak with an altitude of 1,726 meters is located. The climb is of moderate difficulty, with an incredible view . From there, you can see the immensity of the mountainous Nafpaktia and feel truly free, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
In the afternoon we arrived with our car in Ano Chora for a short tour and enjoy the local cuisine. Ano Chora is one of the most lively and welcoming villages in the region and we could not miss it. We walked along its picturesque cobblestone streets and admired the old stone houses with tiled roofs, which have preserved their traditional style. We photographed the historic “Carnavalos” bus that ran the route Nafpaktos – Ano Chora – Kato Chora of Mountainous Nafpaktia and finally we visited the oblation to the late Stelios Kazantzidis.
We ended up at the “Platani” tavern, with its beautiful veranda in the center of which stands a large plane tree. Don’t forget to try vegetable pies, grilled meat and other local delicacies, which will fill you with energy and pleasure. In Ano Chora you will also find several cafes to enjoy a coffee and taste homemade sweets.
Second day: Ascent to the peak of Tsekura
On the second day after we woke up in the morning and had a light breakfast, we started early in the morning for the location of Stavros, just before Kryoneria, from where we would start our ascent to the peak of Chekoura, at an altitude of 1,732 meters. This path requires good physical condition. It was a path that forced us quite a bit, but our efforts were rewarded with the most beautiful view we saw when we reached the top. The sky was clear, and the feeling of being so high, looking down on the man-made Lake Evinos, which is surrounded by the wild beauty of Nafpaktia, is truly priceless. The feeling of absolute freedom overwhelmed us.
On our return we chose the village of Kryoneria for food, since it was the closest place and we were already quite tired. We chose the traditional tavern “Vrysi”, we tried and tasted wonderful local flavors.
Let us note here that the mountainous Nafpaktia has many settlements that are worth visiting, however the distances are quite long. Beyond Ano Chora, you can visit Krioneria, Ampelakiotissa, Arachova Orinis Nafpaktia and Platanos. Each settlement has its own hiking trails, with easy, moderate and difficult routes to choose from. An application that might help you on your hiking in Mountainous Nafpaktia is the topoguide, which however is not free.
Third day: Departure with a stop at the Mornos dam
On our way out, we decided to make a last stop at the Mornos Dam, a great opportunity to cap off your trip. The scenery is imposing, and the vast, serene lake formed by the dam provides the perfect contrast to the rugged mountains of the area. The dam, apart from the fact that it is an impressive technical project, is also an important part of the history of the region, as it provides water to a large part of Central Greece and Attica.
If you are planning an excursion away from the crowds, Nafpaktia offers many options for hiking, exploring and relaxing in nature. Natural beauties, picturesque villages and hospitable inhabitants make every moment special. We returned with unique memories and refreshed by the experience, already thinking about our next visit to this wonderful part of Greece.
See more about our trip to Mountainous Nafpaktia in the highlight stories #NAFPAKTIA on Ιnstagram
Read also: Vyzitsa Pelion: A hidden treasure on Central Greece
