The Acheloos river, huge and unique, is believed to have taken its name from the Sanskrit ‘ah’ meaning a lot of water and ‘loon’ meaning the best. It was deified by the ancient Greeks and has always determined the fate of the place.
Through its long journey of 220km from Pindos to its mouth into the Ionian Sea, the Aspropotamos (as it is also known, meaning the white river), converses with mountains and ravines, is fed by tributaries, and enlivens soils. Its large valley is shared by the regions of Epirus, Thessaly and Central Greece. The valley, fascinating and diverse, offers incredible alternating landscapes and rich biodiversity, traditional settlements and important monuments, with stone bridges and solitary chapels tucked away in nature.
Here, history, culture and beauty share a common destiny. Rushing waters, raging vegetation, picturesque villages, chaotic cliffs and virgin forests make up the puzzle of primeval natural beauty.
Mild and sustainable development and alternative ecotourism are the big bets for the Acheloos Valley, an area as majestic as its life-giving river.
