Trichonida is the largest lake in Greece and nevertheless is quite unknown and hidden place. Its special location between two mountains Panaitoliko and Arakynthos facilitate to remain pure, and unknown to most people. It’s so large that if you stand on the shore and look around, you will see only water touching the beautiful mountains!
Trichonida is very close to another, smaller and even more unknown lake, Lysimachia. The two lakes are separated by a strip of land two kilometers wide and both belong to the Natura 2000 network and are rare ecosystems. Trichonida lake is a paradise for the nature and adventure lovers!
Activities
Both the lake and the surrounding areas are ideal for outdoor activities, but you have to keep an eye on respecting the environment and ecosystems. Let’s take a closer look to the possible and different activities.
The waters of Trichonida in some places as Myrtia, is very crystal and ideal for swimming. Also, it’s perfect for water cycling and you can enjoy boat rides in Dogri and Mataragas. For the fans of paragliding the area is a fantastic choice and the No Borders Paragliding Team does an excellent job! But, we are not done! For the hiking lovers – like us!- there are two relatively easy routes. The first starts from Thermo, a small town close to Trichonida, continues till the significant archaeological site (with impressive arcades, temples, statues, streets, fountains and many archaeological findings!) and ends on the hill Megalos Lakkos. The second starts from the historic monastery of Katerina and ends in beautiful location Kelaki Gavala located on the slopes of Arakynthos.
Secret: One of the most important archaeological sites in Greece is located very close to Thermos, but for a very bizarre reason this is also relatively unknown to tourists and even Greeks!! The ancient Thermos has impressive arcades, temples, statues, streets, fountains and many archaeological findings. Also, a new museum has been built recently and it is quite impressive!
Ecosystem
The lakeside vegetation Trichonida consists of plane trees, willow, ash, poplars, cottonwoods, osier, cypresses, laurels, oleanders, eucalyptus, reeds, rushes, straw, marsh land and citrus. Trichonida lake is rich in phytonplankton about 90 types of them and seeweeds as well. The lake is home to 25 species of fish, 16 of which are edible and 11 are indigenous to Greece like tsouroukla, dromitsa, smelt, eel, lourogovios, nonovios, saliara and others. The poultry-fauna is just as significant. Over of 140 types birds 30 of them are protected as water-duck, heron, woodcock, water-hen, kingfisher and others.
You can get to Trichonida by car, as it is around 2.5 hours from Athens.
We would like to thank for the photos the team of Limnitrichonida.gr and their fantastic Facebook page!