Greece in May – The Arachthos Camps 🛶 Toros Outdoors

Two rivers, five stages, a base camp, supplemented by day tours to dream streams in the surrounding area. The village of Plaka at the exit of the mighty Arachthos Canyon lies in the heart of the outdoor Eldorado Tzoumerka and is the ideal base for all paddlers and outdoor athletes. Whether designed with a lot of love Hotel "Teloneio" or the one on the river Via Natura Camping – during the Arachthos camp you can experience your paddling holiday in the perfect ambience for you. Hellas Deluxe!

Reason enough for Toros Outdoors to be out and about on Arachthos and Co. more often in the future! In our week camp right at the gateway to the mightiest canyon in Greece, the focus is on coziness and comfort. And don't worry: Paddling is not neglected! In fact, the lack of change of location leaves time to explore the surrounding area or to start a second tour in the afternoon. The Tzoumerka has a lot to offer, Plaka is the ideal base camp. The selection of the rivers and the existing infrastructure is quite comparable to the most beautiful spots on the Soca and Koritnica.

The entrance to the Kallaritikos Gorge. — The entrance to Kalaritikos Gorge.

A place in the sun - frappé and ice cream at the foot of the Katarraktis waterfall.

The rivers

The Arachthos with its massive canyon is considered by many to be the best river in Greece. Over 100 kilometers long, it breaks through the Pindos Mountains on its way from the highlands near Ioannina to the Mediterranean. Over millions of years, the water formed deep gorges with bizarre rock formations. Clear springs splash at the bottom of the canyon, the clear water magically pours into the river in veils.

Technical whitewater with a great fun factor - in the Arachthos Gorge.

In the next few days we will familiarize ourselves with the long surges from Krapsi (WW II-III+) and the gorge river Kalaritikos (WW III+). The white water of the Arachthos runs consistently in deep rocky gorges, but the rapids are always divided into calm pools. All stages are ideal terrain for technique training and playing in waves and rollers. The Kalaritikos with its long gorge is a real royal stage that requires solid WW-III knowledge. But the same applies here: We make it possible for every taste. If the water in the spectacular gorge is too wild for you, get into the raft and navigate safely through the tumult of waves.

Dream river Arachthos - here the entrance to the »Milky Way«. — Dream river Arachthos - here the access to the "Milky Way".

The Arachthos alone offers four sections, two more are the Kalaritikos flowing in from the east. And best of all: At Arachthos, water is guaranteed! Thanks to the constant transfer of water from the Aoos reservoir, the Arachthos has enough water for paddling even in midsummer. Many of the photos on this page are from the end of October, when we were traveling around Plaka in the best weather and without a drop of rain.

Mighty marl walls in the open gorge below Plaka.

Lakmos, Acheloos (WW III) and Voidomatis (WW I-IV) are also easily accessible from the base camp. After rain we also head for the mythical Acheron (WW III-IV). These rivers are located within a two-hour radius of Plaka, and here too we return to the base camp of the Arachthos Camp in the evening.

The river stages at a glance

arachthos:

from Krapsi: WW II-III+
from Milky Way: WW II-III (IV)
Great Canyon: WW II-III+
from Plaka: WW II-III+

Kalaritikos:

Upper reaches: WW II+
Canyon: WW III+, then further through the Arachthos Canyon

Lakmos: WW II-III + (IV-)

Acheloos from Mesochora: WW II-III + (IV)

Acheron: WW III-IV

voidomatis

from spring pot: WW III-IV
Avenue of plane trees: WW I-II+

Venetikos, Black Gorge: WW II +

Our base camp

The Tzoumerka mountain range, which is up to 2429 meters high, separates the south-flowing rivers Arachthos and Acheloos. At the historic river crossing just below the Arachthos Canyon, the village of Plaka nestles around the characteristic bridge. Plaka is the gateway to Tzoumerka, while the regional capitals Ioannina and Arta are less than an hour's drive away. The Toros Outdoors base camp is located directly on the river in this logistically advantageous location. Air travelers reach the base camp in Plaka by rental car or public bus. As in recent years, comfort-conscious paddlers will find luxurious accommodation in the Hotel "Teloneio". Since the 2015 season, the Via Natura campsite everyone who, despite the romance of the campfire, doesn't want to forego sanitary standards. The campsite and hotel are a five-minute walk away from each other. The river access right next to the square is the end point for the large Arachthos Canyon as well as the combined Kalaritikos/Arachthos tour. The technical and playful stage of the lower Arachthos also begins at the campsite.

A variety of scenic and cultural sights are easily accessible from Plaka. A nearby destination is the waterfalls of Katarraktis, the roaring cascades of Matsouki and the historic villages of Kalarites and Sirako. Mountain bikes can be rented at the campsite, rafting tours can be booked, and the program also includes flying fox and abseiling exercises. Not to be forgotten: Tzoumerka is an excellent hiking destination with old mule trails, lush alpine meadows and hidden monastery churches.