Explore: Voras (Kaimakchalan) | “Good Field” (Dobro Pole) | Pozar Baths | Orma | Aridaia | Archangelos | Promachoi | Garefi
Voras is a mountain range, situated at the borders of Greece and North Macedonia’s. Its highest peak is Kaimakchalan, the third tallest mountain of Greece, with an altitude of 2.524 meters, where a ski center is located. At the top of the mountain, you can visit the wonderful small church of Prophet Elias. According to Greek mythology, Voras was the home of Voreas who was considered by many to be the embodiment of the north wind. According to others, he was the embodiment of Mount Vora. The peaks of Mount Vora belong to the NATURA 2000 network and constitute a protected natural reserve, where there are 14 caves, most of them filled with bats. The nature enthusiasts will definitely enjoy the abundant flora and fauna of Vora, with 157 species of plants and various mammals, reptiles, frogs, etc… Kaimakchalan’s ski center is an attraction for lots of people, interested in mountain climbing and skiing. In the numerous tracks, you can practice skiing with your own or rental equipment. The place is ideal for families and large groups that want to have fun and enjoy the snowy peaks of Vora. Activities: climbing, skiing, fauna and flora observation Taking the forest road that starts from the isolated village of Ano Loutraki you will arrive at the “Good Field” or else Dobro Pole. It is a plateau of exceptional beauty, that has been formed on a volcano crater. On its surface, there are a lot of canals and small lakes, surrounded by a forest of beech trees.The plain sits on the borders between Greece and North Macedonia and it became the field of many battles during World War I. Hikers and climbers will love the route from Ano Loutraki to the plateau as well as the hiking trails that they can follow within the “Good Field”. In various places, they will find open sites, specially designed so that they can make a short stop or have a picnic and observe the amazing landscape. Activities: climbing, hiking, flora and fauna observation Pozar baths (Loutra Pozar) are located at a distance of just 9 km from The Garden Lodge, at the foot of Kaimakchalan mountain. Τhe thermal, therapeutic waters, that emerge from the mountain for thousands of years, create an impressive natural scenery, within which there has been assembled a whole “Loutropolis”. There are 6 main sources, from which thermal water constantly arises at a stable temperature of 37°C. It is considered life-saving by many people since it can help cure or prevent a lot of diseases. It is used for bath-treatment but also for drinking-therapy. At the hydrotherapy center, you can take your bath in one of the swimming pools, indoors or outdoors, or even pick one of the 15 private pools. For an even more relaxing and soothing experience, feel free to visit the jacuzzi or the hammam rooms. After your bath, treat yourself with a massage in one of the spa centers of the complex and enjoy a meal or a drink in one of the nearby restaurants and bars. Tip: Contact the Pozar Baths’ information desk before your arrival, to make sure that the pools are available and make a reservation. Τhe ones more eager to explore, should definitely pay a visit to the cave park, where they will see a big cave system consisting of 16 caves, discovered in 1989. In its spaces, more than 15000 findings and fossils have been found, many of which are currently displayed in the Paleontological – Physiographical Almopia and Folk Museum of Almopia and Aridaia’s Natural History Museum. The Baths are the starting point of the Loutraki Gorge with length of 33 km that extends all the way to the Greek borders following the watercourse of Saint Nikolas stream. The gorge itself, as well as the whole mountainous area around it, are ideal for a great deal of outdoors activities such as climbing, hiking, trekking, rafting canoe, fauna and flora observation. Activities: thermal baths – jacuzzi – hammam – massage – Cave Park visit – mountaineering – climbing – rafting – canoeing Orma is one of the most beautiful villages of Almopia. Located at the foothills of Mount Vora (Kaimakchalan) at an altitude of 230 meters and 3 km away from Pozar Baths, Orma is distinguished for its gorgeous, lush vegetation and natural waters. The river that traverses the village, along with the huge plane trees that surround it, put together a one of a kind scenery that is truly worth seeing. A significant sight of the region is Orma’s forest, known as Black Forest. Black Forest is one of the most magnificent forests of Greece. Its name originates from the darkness that prevails in it, due to the giant trees that prevent the sunlight from reaching the ground. According to historical sources, Alexander the Great used to gather wood from the forest in order to make its army’s 6-meters long spears, well-known as Sarissas, which were then boiled at Pozar baths. The Black Forest belongs to the NATURA 2000 network as well as the network of protected areas that constitute wildlife reserves. Apart from the endless lush vegetation, you will find several gorges, natural waterfalls, canyons and underground streams inside the forest. One of the rivers that flows in it is ‘Mpeltsa’ or White River (Aspropotamos), where you can do canyoning or rafting. The water derives from the melted snow of Kaimakchalan and is so clean that you can drink it! The place is full of routes and paths, which makes it perfect for hiking, mountain and rock climbing, walking, and camping. You can even get to the ski center of Vora through the forest. If you are interested in bird watching, you will find flocks of various species of birds, such as vultures, eagles, hawks and many more, while there are squirrels, sparrows, hares, and martens as well. We recommend getting to the forest through Orma, but you can also go there from the Megaplatanos area. To ascend the forest you will need a large vehicle (4×4), and we suggest hiring an experienced mountain guide, who is familiar with the surroundings, to accompany you in case you need help. Activities: walk around the village, hiking, climbing, camping, 4×4 rides, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, bird watching Aridaia or Aridea is the main city of the Municipality of Almopia. It’s located nearby and is a great option for afternoon walks and nights out. At a distance of 7 miles from Aridea, there is the Byzantine Castle of Chryssi or Castle of Moglena. The castle is dated back to the 10th-12th century after Christ, but its establishment may go back in even older times. It is definitely worth visiting the city’s Natural History Museum, where you can explore Almopia even further. Inside the building, you will have the opportunity to observe various fossils, which were discovered during various excavations of the region. You can also see the fossilized bones of “ursus spelaeus”, a cave bear, which were found in the Pozar Baths’ caves. Activities: afternoon walks & nights out, Castle of Moglena visit, Natural History Museum visit On mountain Paiko, at an altitude of 820 m, the traditional village Archangelos overlooks the verdant plain of North Almopia. Except for being surrounded by forests full of beech trees, oaks and cherry trees this village is also admirable for its extremely well-preserved architecture. During your visit, don’t forget to try the cherries and the potatoes of the area as well as the famous pastries of Archangelos. At the north side of mountain Paiko, there is an open sight that has a panoramic view of the mountain peaks, Tzena and Pinovo. At this perfect spot, there has been built the monastery of Archangel Michael, whose story is closely linked with the history of the village. On the 6th of September, the monastery celebrates and there is a festival in the village in honor of it. Additionally, the third or the fourth weekend of July there is a cherry festival in the village which includes a lot of exhibitions, events, great amounts of cherries and other traditional dishes. Activities: walk around the village, Monastery visit, local products tasting, hiking in the woods Promachoi is the last residential area at the North of the Municipality of Almopia. It is built at the base of Mount Vora and it used to be called “Mpachovo”. The locals participated in all the fights for liberation and even pioneered the battle for the liberation of Aridea in 1912.. Its current name (Promachoi = the ones who fight in the frontline) is due to the fact that the locals were fighting for Freedom and Hellenism. At the central square, there is the church of Saint Dimitrios of Promachoi, which accepts lots of visits daily as it is a place especially loved by the village’s residents. The locals occupy themselves mainly with activities associated with the wood. In this village, there is the biggest community forest with 16.000 acres, while there is also a 660 acres area with pine trees, that belong to a very rare species. The Cultural Association “Almopes” of the village is highly popular for its actions in Greece and Europe. The area, as lots of others Almopia’s villages, is famous for a specific variety of pepper, known as Mpachovo’s peppers. They can be consumed both unripe or ripe, while they are processed in a specific, traditional way in order to produce the local smoked bukovo and red pepper (both are spices). For those interested in the historical heritage of the village, just one km away, there is the Holy Monastery of Saint Hilarion, Bishop of Moglena who built the Monastery in honor of the Holy Apostles. Today, it is a monastery only for women and currently accommodates three nuns. The best days to visit the monastery is at the celebration of St. Hilarion on October 21, when you can also see the local festival, and at the celebration of St. Peter and St. Paul on June 29 as well. Activities: walk around the village, Monastery visit, local products tasting, walk in the woods Just 10 km from Piperies village and 7 km from Aridaia, close to the foothills of Kaimaktsalan mountain, is located the traditional village “Garefiο” or “Garefi”. The quaint village took its name from a Greek hero of the Macedonian Struggle, “Kosta Garefi”. In this village, you will admire the old Macedonian houses, the narrow alleys, the stone water fountains and of course the marvellous landscape. The region around the village is perfect for various activities such as hiking in the woods, horse riding lessons , cycling on the mountains etc… The village Garefi same as a lot of other regions of Almopia, is famous for the cultivation of red peppers and the production of red pepper, known as “bukovo”. To honour its traditional product, the village organises every year a celebration that includes cooking competitions, concerts, events and a really rich buffet. Don’t miss it if you find yourselves in the area during October! Activities: walk around the village, architecture observation, horse riding lessons, cycling, hiking in the woods Experiences
Voras (Kaimakchalan)
“Good Field” (Dobro Pole)
Pozar Baths
Orma
Aridaia
Αrchangelos
Promachoi
Garefi