Outdoor activities – VisitNafpaktia

The natural environment of Nafpaktia is perhaps the main reason for visiting the region. With more than 40% of the total area covered by forests, Nafpaktia constitutes an amazing natural mountain paradise. Together with the streams and rivers that end up in beautiful beaches it is truly unique. In Nafpaktos you will also find the River Evinos and the River Mornos, which is a natural boundary between the prefectures of Aitoloakanarnia and Fokida. The wonderful landscape is complemented by the artificial lake of Evinos.

The best way to discover the wonderful natural environment of Nafpaktos is the many outdoor leisure activities you can experience. Walk along the mountain trails, enjoy the waves of the Corinthian gulf, explore the landscape with a bike run, discover the magic of the River Evinos and enjoy Nafpaktos in a different way!

Cycling

There are many routes for city bike ridesand mountain biking around Nafpaktos castle and beyond that will delight biking enthusiasts. At the end of August, Ano Chora and the surrounding villages fill with bike riders taking part in the well-established mountainbikeraces, with many entries from athletes from all over Greece. The ideal place for mountain biking is the village of Trikorfo in Municipal District of Halkia, which has many well marked dirt roads through the forest.

Water sports

The Municipality of Nafpaktos borders with the Corinthian Gulf at its exit to the Gulf of Patras and the Ionian Sea. Visitors who love the sea and water sports can enjoy, besides swimming and fishing, water sports such as water skiing, jetski, canoeat sea, sailing, Kitesurfingand windsurfingthrough the Nafpaktos Yacht Club, as well as scuba diving in areas of the Corinthian area under the guidance and supervision of the experienced divers of the Lepanto Dive Center.

Activities on the River Evinos

The River Evinos with the tributaries of Kotsalo and Porriaris and the River Mornos run through Nafpaktia. River sports enthusiasts can enjoy raftingand canoe kayakon the Evinos River, hiking, horse riding and rappelon its riverside trails. There are many expert guides who provide services in the area, who will consult with you and provide the necessary equipment. For those who wish to spent the night, there are accommodation options in Hani Bania and Poros Riganiou. Don't miss out a great hike along the river banks.

Mountain Sports

The mountainous region of Nafpaktia is ideal for hiking, climbingand rock climbingall seasons of the year. The trails/paths connecting the villages and the forest roads pass through fir trees, chestnut trees, plane trees, bridges, streams, waterfalls and breathtaking scenery! Around Ano Chora, there is an organized network of four hiking trails based on an old connective network that has been in place since ancient times (archaeological findings suggest that the area is probably inhabited since 2500 BC), passing through the villages of Ano Chora, Podos, Ampelakiotissa and Kryoneria. There are many marked routes: Varasova, Clokova, Rigani, Tsakalaki or Omalia, or Tsekoura etc. are recommended by the Greek Mountaineering Association of Nafpaktos and are ideal for base hikesor mountain hikes to those who love nature and mountains. A very interesting route is also the climb to the village of Niokastro through a landscape that will surely compensate you! Finally, for those who love rock climbing there approximately 90 climbing routes of escalating difficulty on the slopes of Varasova, with an altitude difference between 25 and 400 meters.

Alternative activities

For those who want to enjoy the nature of Nafpaktia in a different way there are many options. The mountainous area is offered for 4x4 driving! Drive along the forest roads, which pass through dreamy landscapes and cross rivers and small villages of the area! Another special experience is bird watching that you can enjoy in the natural environment of Nafpaktos, through separate marked paths. Finally, don't miss the Zelios Botanical Garden, in the "Aidoni" location of the Chalkia region, where in more than 100 acres of land stretching along the River Evinos you will find about 3,500 species of plants in 6 theme gardens. Before you leave, don't forget to pass through the glass recycling tower made of about 12.500 glass bottles!