View a detailed map of the area at greeklandscapes.com, a site with links to downloadable maps of Greece.

Access for Arahthos and Kalaritikos rivers area

Arahthos river can be accessed from the cities of Arta, Ioannina or Metsovo.
• From west, via Ioannina, to Driskos (for section 1), Harokopi (sect.2), Kostitsi (sect.3), Plaka (sect.4) and Skoupa (sect.4 take out)
• From the south, via Arta, Rodavgi, to the same places like above.
• From northeast, via Trikala, Kalampaka, Metsovo to Baldouma (section 1), or through the mountain pass, from Chaliki to Kalarites, and then to Petrovouni (sect. 2), Ampelohori (sect. 3) and Plaka (sect. 4)
  This last access, presently follows roadworks, tunnels (Egnatia odos highway construction*), not controlled high altitude passes (between Chaliki and Kalarites) and dirtroads, with poor direction signs, so it is not recommended, unless you have the proper vehicle (4x4)and you wouldn't say no to some more adventure (running Lakmos river on the way for example). In that case you may ask information in the snow-plough station at Katara pass before Metsovo.
  A major higway is being constructed the last years, connecting the port of Egoumenitsa in the west with Thessaloniki and the turkish border in the east, passing from Ioannina, Metsovo and Grevena areas. Parts of Egnatia Odos, have unofficially given to circulation, so it is possible to avoid Katara pass, by following the green Egnatia Odos signs, from Panagia junction to Anilio.

• Another secondary access from south east, is the one via Trikala, Pyli, Mesohora, Vourgareli, Ramia. This scenario also involves roadworks and high altitude passes, like Chaliki-Kalarites pass, but is monitored and open during the winter.

Access 1 from Arta

Leaving Arta towards Ioannina, after the old bridge, we turn right towards Rodavgi (if arriving from Patra, it is possible to take the new (soon to be delivered to public) detour at the entrance of the city, before Pournari dam)
13km/13min later, turn right towards Rodavgi. Discover Rodavgi
27km/ 30min (from Arta), we reach Skoupa (taking the downhill, 6km to the right is the take out of section 4), continue straight and uphill and at 40km/47min, reach a cross road:
Going straight, you reach Kaletzi and Ioannina. Going right, you descend towards the river and at 45km/50min, you reach Arahthos bridge at Plaka (section 3 take out, section 4 put in - picture on the left).

Before the bridge there is a mini store for supplies and after the bridge, there are two coffee-restaurants, a gas station and a drinking water fountain. Behind the café on the right, there is a steep tight road that leads to the river level, next to the facilities of an outdoor activities company (Via Natura) that runs commercial trips to Arahthos.

The road after the bridge, continues towards Agnanta (7km), Pramanta (10km), or Kataraktis (16km), three larger villages, were you can find a place to sleep. At Kataraktis, there is a big waterfall sightseeing that definetely worth a visit (picture on the left).

To reach the put in for section 3, the bridge between Kostitsi and Ambelohori, from the cross road over Plakas bridge, you take the direction to Ioannina. 13km (from Plaka) you pass the crossing to Kalivia, reach Kalentzi 16km /15min and at the bus station you turn right into the village and follow an uphill road to the north, to reach the village of Fortosi. Turn left, pass the village of Kostitsi and take a downhill exit to the right. Follow the winding downhill road and take a tight right turn to reach in a couple of km the bridge of Ampelohori. The old arc bridge stands next to the new one.

Ampelohori bridge, is also the take out for the second half of lower Kalaritikos river, that drops into Arahthos, 1.5km upstream. The put in for Kalaritikos is the bridge near the village of Christoi

To reach the bridge of Harokopi, put in for river’s section 2, from the village square of Kalentzi, you head left, pass two right crossings towards Fortosi (22km from Plaka) and Ambelohori (23km/30min), continue passing the village of Lazaina (24km) and Serviana and turn right towards the village of Koutselio (great tavernes there!) From there the road leads towards Harokopi and eventually to Arahthos bridge, where the old bridge stands retired next to the new one.

From there the road climbs up, passing Petrovouni and Prosilio to reach the bridge of Christoi, the put in for Kalaritikos river standard run (class III-IV). (Next access for this river is the bridge to Michalitsi) Driving further up, we may reach Kalarites and the road over the mountain to Chaliki and Lakmos river, one of the fountains for Acheloos river. Before Kalarites, we pass a small tunnel and another bridge over Upper Kalaritikos, which is much harder - class IV,V,VI (see picture right)

Access 2 from Ioannina

Access from west, the port of Egoumenitsa, is via the major city of Ioannina and Koutselio. From there like in Arta's road book, we may reach Harokopi (section 2), Kostitsi (section 3) or Kaletzi and Plaka or Skoupa (section 4)

Access 3&4 from the east

More pages about Arahthos river:

• River Data
• Geography, History & Sightseeing
• Arahthos river map
• Our trip report (NRY)
• Arahthos photo gallery