Alternative Tourism Route 6 of Chelmos-Vouraikos Geopark, Kalavryta, Greece (candidate INHERITURA area of University of Patras in the framework of Interreg MED project INHERIT). Kato Zachlorou, in the gorge of the Vouraikos River, hosts a large number of Greek and foreign visitors every year because of its natural beauty. Near is the Monastery of Mega Spileo (Great Cave), connected to the village by path. From Kato Zachlorou, the visitor has the opportunity to take a drive with rich history and monuments of religious interest, such as the Holy Pilgrimage of “Panagia Plataniotissa”. This drive (distance 30 km and duration 1 h and 10 min), connects the north picturesque mountain villages with the Holy Monastery of Panagia Makellaria

Alternative Tourism Route 5 of Chelmos-Vouraikos Geopark, Kalavryta, Greece (candidate INHERITURA area of University of Patras in the framework of Interreg MED project INHERIT). Holy Monastery of Mega Spileo (Great Cave) is a starting point for the hiking trail to Tsivlou Lake and to the Kalavryta Ski Center. It is a trail of moderate difficulty, about 14 km, which requires about 6 hours of hiking. The hiker ascends from the monastery of Mega Spileo at an altitude of 870 meters to Xerokampos, at an altitude of 1,600 meters, passing through “Kalogeravlako” and “Livadi Louka”.

Alternative Tourism Route 3 of Chelmos-Vouraikos Geopark, Kalavryta, Greece (candidate INHERITURA area of University of Patras in the framework of Interreg MED project INHERIT). The route is a 37.5 km drive (about 45min), starting from Diakofto at the sea level, via the Pounta junction and finally to Kalavryta. Among the most important sites of the history of Kalavryta is the “Monastery of Agia Lavra”. The visitor has also the opportunity to observe the natural beauty and rich history of the area. A typical characteristic is the alternation of traditional crops citrus fruits, olive trees, and vineyards from the coast to the semi-mountainous and mountainous regions, producing excellent quality olive oil, wines, as well as the black Raisin of “Vostitsa”.

Alternative Tourism Route 2 of Chelmos-Vouraikos Geopark, Kalavryta, Greece (candidate INHERITURA area of University of Patras in the framework of Interreg MED project INHERIT). This route includes a hiking trail is part of the European long-distance path E4 which is of moderate difficulty, with total length 22.4 km that requires 7-8 hours of hiking. The trail starts from Diakofto and follows the Rack Railway line through Vouraikos River Gorge and Kato Zachlorou, ending up in Kalavryta.

Alternative Tourism Route 1 of Chelmos-Vouraikos Geopark, Kalavryta, Greece (candidate INHERITURA area of University of Patras in the framework of Interreg MED project INHERIT). This route includes: • the Holy Monastery of Mega Spileo – Great Cave (one of the oldest and most historic Orthodox monasteries with impressive geological formations), • “Kalogeravlako” (a stone channel which carried water in early times from Chelmos to Great Cave) and • Tsivlou Lake (a natural mountain lake on the slopes of Chelmos and an important wetland and ideal habitat for many birds and other animal species)

Scenes from the Chelmos-Vouraikos Geopark (Kalavryta, Greece), which is the candidate INHERITURA area of University of Patras in the framework of the INHERIT project

Περιγράφεται μια διαδρομή 3,7 χιλιομέτρων μέσα στο ελατόδασος του Χελμού νοτιοανατολικά της πόλης των Καλαβρύτων.

Αποτελεί μια μικρή εύκολη πεζοπορική διαδρομή (1,5 χιλ) με πανοραμική θέα που μπορούμε να την πραγματοποιήσουμε την άνοιξη όταν λιώσουν τα χιόνια στο Χελμό. Η Ψηλή κορυφή με υψόμετρο 2355 μ. είναι η ψηλότερη κορυφή του Χελμού ! Εκεί κοντά υπάρχει και το αστεροσκοπείο Αρίσταρχος.

Πρόκειται για ένα μικρο τμήμα του διεθνούς μονοπατιού Ε4 απο τον σιδηροδρομικό σταθμό του Μεγάλου σπηλαίου στην Κάτω Ζαχλωρού μέχρι την στάση Κερπινής κοντά στα Κάλαβρυτα μήκους 5,5 χιλιομέτρων. Ακολουθούμε τις γραμμές του Οδοντωτού με κατεύθυνση τα Καλάβρυτα μέσα στο φαράγγι του Βουραϊκού ποταμού !