The Acheron River in Epirus is about 52 km long. It rises in the mountains of Souli, runs through a gorge and across a plain, and reaches the Ionian Sea at Ammoudia, a small coastal village south of Parga. Ancient Greeks believed that this river led to the underworld. Today people come to walk and swim in the cold water of the gorge near the village of Glyki, to go rafting or kayaking, and to visit the ancient Nekromanteion, a sanctuary of the dead. The lower river ends in a delta where birds live. The river and its delta belong to Natura 2000, the European network of protected nature areas.
Geography
The Acheron is about 52 km long and drains a basin of about 705 square kilometres. It rises in the mountains of Souli. Near the village of Glyki, cold springs come out of the limestone rock and form the river that visitors walk in. The springs are known for very cold water. Below the springs, the river cuts a gorge about 10 km long.
The gorge is narrowest near the village of Sykies, where steep rock walls stand close together. This place is called the Gates of Hades. After the gorge, the river crosses a plain and ends in a delta at Ammoudia, on the Ionian Sea. Much of the delta marsh was drained for farmland, but reed beds and brackish marshes remain. The river, the gorge and the delta are all inside the Natura 2000 area.
Activities
River trekking is the main activity. From the information centre in the village of Glyki, a circuit of about 6.5 km leads to Skala Tzavelena and the arched Dala bridge. It takes about three hours. The route to the Gates of Hades goes through the river, and in places you must swim, depending on the water level. The full crossing of the gorge is about 12 km and takes most of a day.
Rafting and kayaking trips start from Glyki, and local operators run them on the river. Near the mouth, kayak tours leave from Ammoudia, the village at the river mouth, and paddle through the delta among reeds and water lilies.
Nature & Outdoors
Very old plane trees grow along the river near the springs, and ferns cover the wet rocks. Hundreds of plant species and nearly 200 bird species are recorded in the protected area. In spring, wildflowers grow along the banks.
At the delta, tracks lead from Ammoudia, the village at the river mouth, through brackish marshes, reed beds and low hills. Herons, egrets and kingfishers can be seen there. Migration seasons bring more birds. Loggerhead sea turtles and otters are also recorded in the area.
History & Culture
Ancient Greeks called the Acheron the river of woe. In myth it was a river of the underworld, and Charon took the souls of the dead across it. The name is linked to the Greek word for grief.
South of Parga, in the village of Mesopotamos, the remains of the Nekromanteion stand on a hill. This sanctuary of Hades dates from the late 4th to the 3rd century BC. Pilgrims came to ask the dead for advice. The site is open to visitors, with longer hours in summer. Check current opening times.
Practical information
When to go
August has the least water in the gorge, and most river trekking takes place in summer. In winter and spring the water is high and fast, and the gorge route may not be suitable. The water is cold in every season. Ask a local operator about the water level before you walk the full gorge. The delta is best for birds in spring, in autumn and in winter.
Getting there
The village of Glyki, where the trekking starts, is about 40 km from Igoumenitsa, the main port of the region. The village of Ammoudia, at the river mouth, is about 30 minutes by car south of Parga. Most visitors arrive by car or on a guided trip from the coast.
Good to know
You walk and swim in very cold water on the gorge route. Shoes with a good grip protect your feet from sharp stones, and a waterproof bag keeps your things dry. Some parts are steep and rocky, and the narrow part near the Gates of Hades is deeper and darker. First-time visitors may prefer an organised trip.
Acheron River— been there?Tell others what you saw.
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