The Vovousa or Vovousa, the National Park Valia Calda

OR Vovousa or Vovousa is one of the 44 villages Zagoria, NE. of Ioannina, in the East Zagori. Located in altitude 1.000 m. next to National Park Valia Calda and refrain from Ioannina 71 km from Grevena 60 km. Residents are mostly Vlachs and there are few families Sarakatsanoi.

In Vlach called the Vovousa Baieasa and Vlachozagoro.

It named by River Aoos (Voiousa or Baiasa) the roar of the river water and then by Voiousa became Vovousa. The history of the village begins 10^The century. the movements of the Vlachs in the villages of Pindos.

the 15^The century. the Treaty of Valide Sultana joined the Zagorochoria.To 1817, after raids, the village deserted and many residents migrate in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. At his beginings 20^th century. until the 1940 the village grew again. From 1940 until 1943 the village was completely destroyed except the church of St. George (1814).

Slowly, after the end of civil war (1943), the Vovousa again began to grow until it got its present form.

In Vovousa will walk in nature, you will hear the sound of the river flowing through the rocks, You will admire the brick bridge and you will end up in the village square to taste the traditional cuisine of the region.

SIGHTSEEING VOVOUSAS

Stone Bridge Vovousa, feature attraction of the village, the arch bridge that connects the two banks of the Aoos village.

built in 1748 sponsored Alexis Misios from Monodendri Zagoria

Church of St. George (1814)
Agia Paraskevi Church, which is a 3-day festival in the village in 26 July
Church of Our Lady
Little Ponton Bridge Aspropotamos (aroyl Alba)
fulling

ACTIVITIES

«Vovousa FESTIVAL TEASER», done by the end of July to early August in order to showcase the cultural heritage of Vovousa. Includes place exhibitions, cinema, music and various workshops
Hiking along the Aoos river and through the woods
Bathroom in press Aoos, during summer

Climbing
Mountain bike, within the forest trails

Guesthouse "KERASIES" has maps of the area and will help in the above activities.

National Park Valia Calda

THE National Park Valia Calda, founded in 1966 its name means warm Valley. Valia Calda The name comes from the Vlach dialect. It is part of the National Park of Northern Pindos owned network NATURA.

Valia Calda is a closed and smooth valley. Generated by the mountains lynx cyclically arranged around leaving a single narrow exit ravine Arkoudorema. The surroundings characterized gorges, valleys, waterfalls and lakes, potholes, wonderful forests and a large variety of plants.

The flora of the park is mainly black pine, Robola and beech, but there are many kinds of wild orchids, lilies, tulips, 86 kinds of mushrooms etc..

Also recorded 114 species with rarer and more important the bear, the wolf, the lynx, the chamois, the polecat, otters, the golden eagle, the black stork, 6 species woodpecker etc..

Endiageronta points

Artificial Lake Aoos, constructed in 1978, in Politses plateau for energy production. He's got 7 dams with the biggest having a height 78 m. Its area is 11,5 km² and is the most mountainous lake in Greece, situated at an altitude 1.350 m.

timber factory, exploiting the black pine logs.

trout farm, in surrounding area

ALTERNATIVE TO IN 4X4 Vovousa – Valia Calda

If you want to browse Vovousa and Valia Calda The company Epirus Adventures provide tours by jeep 4X4 for those wishing to visit differently region.

EXCURSION 1^OR : Vovousa – Valia Calda

Two-day excursion with a 4x4, difficulty level : 4^The, distance: 208 km, altitude : 2.100 m., people : 2-6 (over 12 years)

Starting excursion down the city of Ioannina.

First stop the Pr. Elias Metsovo for coffee.
The tour continues through the national Park, with stops in coreof Valia Calda and to Arkoudorema.
Next stop Vovousa,tour, food and overnight Refuge «Valia Calda».
The next day the tour continues in the villages of East Zagoriand lake of Aoos, through a beautiful landscape.
stop at Metsovo Dining Back, via Egnatia Odos, in Ioannina.

Info tour : This excursion is performed from December - March, weathering, www.epirusadventures.com, [email protected], tel.: +30 6955 755 852, Independence street 4 Janina.

EXCURSION 2^OR : Transferred from Vovousa – Valia Calda

Full day excursion with 4x4, duration: 9 hours, difficulty level : 3^The, distance: 190 km, altitude : 1.550 m., people : 2-6

Starting excursion down the city of Ioannina.

First stop to village Tristeno in the East Zagori, the picturesque square and the stone mill, village trademark, operated by the 1835.
Next stop Vovousa and coffee in the village next to the stone bridge.
The tour continues to the core Valia Calda where the road through the tall trees and streams, considered the "absolute mountain path».
The road leads to the village of apple Metsovo, where after stop for lunch, return, Via Egnatia, in Ioannina.

Info tour : This excursion is not done by December - March, weathering, www.epirusadventures.com, [email protected], tel.: +30 6955 755 852, Independence street 4 Janina.

HIKING IN THE PATHS labeled VOVOUSA – Valia Calda

Route 1^or : APPLE TREE- Valia Calda- Arkoudorema- VOVOUSA.

route's length: 23 km, trip duration: 12 hours, altitudinal gradient: 1.140M.-1.700m.-1.000m.

route type: path, forest path. special marking: E6. marking: good.

Degree of difficulty: high (required careful gait).

Recommended visit time: April – November.

Route 2^or : VOVOUSA- EGG

route's length: 6 km, trip duration: 3,5 hours, altitudinal gradient: 1.000M.-2.157m.

route type: path. special marking: there is no. marking: from rough to absent.

Degree of difficulty: high. Additional difficulties-risks: risk of lightning on top when it is cloudy.

Recommended visit time: from May – November.

Route 3^or : VOVOUSA- DISTRATO

route's length: 15 Km, trip duration: 6 hours, altitudinal gradient: 1.000M.-1.400m.-1.000m.

route type: path, forest path. special marking: EPPER. marking: good. Degree of difficulty: high.

Recommended visit time: from March-December.

ACCOMMODATION IN VOVOUSA

Guesthouse "KERASIES", NR. Flabourari - Vovousa 33, Vovousa,tel. : 2656023003 www.kerasies.gr
Guesthouse "Vovousa", Vovousa, tel.: 2656022555, 6977027207
Shelter "Valia Calda", tel. : 2656022200,6977314779,6972403397, www.katafigiovaliacalda.com

ACCESS

From Athens to Metsovo, continues to Ioannina and at the intersection with East Zagori do right through the Provincial Road Flabourari - Vovousa, after passing Greveniti and Flabourari, You will reach Vovousa.

The road is winding and during the winter months, because of the dense vegetation and low temperatures, the road gets some ice and looking very carefully.

From Athens to Grevena, follow the road to Ziaka, Orchard until Vovousa.

From Athens via the National Road Trikala- Ioannina and then to cross to follow Metsovo province. Route Milia-Kranias Grevenon, around the artificial lake of Aoos up Vovousa.
From Rio - Antirrio through the Ionian Road to Ioannina where then enter the Egnatia Odos. At the junction to East Zagori leave the Egnatia Odos and head towards the province. street Flabourari- Vovousa.
From Thessaloniki via Egnatia Odos.

The Vovousa is 45 km from Vasilitsa Ski Center 56 km from the Metsovo Ski Resort. The nearest gas station is in the village Miliotades, East Zagori and village Mavranei Grevena. Because the road has many turns you need to have enough fuel in the car to be able to return to comfort. Also in the village there is a pharmacy.

useful information

Municipality Zagoria (Aspraggeloi), tel. : 2653360300, 2653022535

Municipality Area Vovousa, tel. : 2656022843