Plaka Bridge

A ride of unparalleled beauty in the narrowest part of a wild river said to have cursed his way through the mountains looking for his beautiful sister Salavria who had gone missing; yearning for a god in Olympus, according to an ancient Greek myth, (its name means shattering /crushing). We begin our ride from the impressive Plaka Bridge, a stunning 20-meter-high, 40-meter-wide single-arch stone structure— the largest of its kind in the Balkans. After getting ourselves fully equipped with specialized rafting equipment we set off downstream. No prior rafting experience is required for this exhilarating journey, which takes us through waters rated at a challenging Class III WW difficulty level, inviting us to marvel at the vibrant reflections. As we paddle through the river, we are immersed in the awe-inspiring beauty of the surroundings. The canyon walls rise up to 700 meters, adding to the dramatic landscape and offering breathtaking views of the Arachthos Gorge and its crystal-clear waters. In winter, the waterfall is full and roaring, but by summer, some areas of the riverbed are barely covered with water, and certain spots can even run dry. After a thrilling 9-kilometer descent, the rafting journey concludes at the Tzari area. After the end of the activity, we return back again with our buses at Alpine Zone’s base, which is located just a few meters past the Plaka Bridge, with friendly staff offering traditional syrupy sweets, refreshing water, changing rooms, and washing facilities. *For the 2025 season, due to unforeseen circumstances and ongoing road construction in the Tzoumerka area, the local authorities and the Municipality of Tzoumerka have directed us to modify our usual trail - which we have been using for many years- for safety reasons. Alpine Zone is committed to ensuring the highest quality experience for all our guests, plus safety, pleasant time and great experiences in Greece’s best River despite these specific circumstances. While this is a temporary change, we are confident that the situation will be resolved soon, and we look forward to returning to our standard route. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Experience the rugged beauty of North Tzoumerka on this sightseeing tour. Admire the breathtaking views as you visit the Kipina Monastery, the villages of Kalarrites and Pramanta, the Anemotripa Cave, and more on this day-trip. The first stop is the Arachthos River, the location of the famous and historic stone bridge of Plaka. Then, head to Katarraktis village and to Tzoumerka where you can enjoy views of the waterfalls as well as a break for a coffee, tea, or juice. Next is Anemotripa Cave, a magical place where a river crosses the whole cave. Stop at Pramanta and take a walk in the village and admire the scenery before heading on to the mountains. Built in the 13th century on the side of the mountain. Kipina Monastery is on of the most spectacular in Greece. After Kipina Monastery, visit the traditional village of Kalarrites and enjoy some tasty dishes in Napoleon’s traditional tavern (at your own expense). From Kalarrites, head to Tsimpovo and admire this beautiful spot in the middle of Arachthos Canyon.

Perched on the rugged mountain peaks, like eagles’ nests, the villages of the Tzoumerka mountain range are considered to be part of an area of outstanding natural beauty. You will be enchanted by the intricate mountain terrain and crystal-clear rivers. Traditional settlements, as well as the numerous churches and monasteries, bear witness to its former glory. Monastery of Kipina is located over the gorge of the river Kalarrytikos, at the entrance of the cave of the vertical rock is built one of the most impressive monasteries in Epirus. It is the Monastery of Kipina, which is said that it was named thus by the gardens (kipos in Greek) that its monks grew in the surrounding area. It was founded in 1212 by Archbishop Grigorios. The monastery flourished during the 18th century and its monks were active in social work. During the Turkish occupation, according to tradition, there was a secret school operated there. It is a men’s monastery, dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary but it celebrates on Bright Friday, feast day of Zoodochos Pigi (Life Giving Source). Kalarrytes is a village is built at an elevation of 1200m and it is known as the “gem” or the “eagle’s nest” of Epirus. It is populated mostly by Aromanians and has been officially characterized as a traditional settlement. The village used to be the centre of traditional processing of gold and silver. The distinguished goldsmithing businessmen families of Voulgari and Nessis come from Kalarrytes. Pramanta Village is situated at an altitude of 840 m., at the foot of the imposing peak of Stroggoula, behind which lies the mountain range of Tzoumerka. It’s at the centre of Tzoumerka and now a mountainous holiday resort, as the visitor can find everything there, from hotels, restaurants, bakeries, cafés and nightlife to a modern health centre, pharmacy, a centre of environmental education, and more. In this traditional village that embraces modern lifestyle, the visitor has access to any kind of information one may need. It is worth visiting the village’s central square, with its centenary plane tree and the famous fountain of Arapis in front of the prestigious church of Saint Paraskevi. Near Pramanta village, we visit the Anemotrypa Cave, with its three small lakes and colorful stalagmites in shades of grey, bronze and white. The stone bridge of Plaka at Arachthos River, the largest single-arch bridge in the Balkans and third in Europe, was demolished in 2015 by the surging river waters. It has now been restored and stands once again in its proper place. It is an important historical monument, and a breathtakingly magnificent sight. It was built in 1866, a masterpiece of architecture, 61m long., 21m high, 3,20m wide at the highest point with a 40 m. central arch. Tzoumerka viewpoint An amazing viewpoint with a breathtaking view, all Tzoumerka mountainous range in front and below on a huge cliff the ravine of Arachthos River