Beauty around us / Zachlorou
3-DAY PEACE
Hidden amidst beautiful nature, is the small village of Zachlorou (or Kato Zachlorou).
It is an ideal destination for a quiet three days escape, away from distractions.
“Miles and miles and miles”
THE HIDDEN TRUTH ABOUT ZACHLOROU
Everyone describes it as a beautiful village, but the truth is that as a village it is nothing special. No beautiful churches, no original architecture houses, and the accommodation has a rather uninteresting aesthetic. However, it is the nature all around that gives this place a sense of beauty.
You can come at any time of the year, although October-November are the best months in my opinion. If you are lucky enough and the trees have the yellow-orange colours of autumn on them, then you will experience the landscape in all its magic.
One of the characteristics of the village is that there is the station "Mega Spileon" of the Odontos railway in the village. It is located approximately in the middle of the Diakofto-Kalavryta route. The Odontotos train crosses the Vouraikos gorge and is the most mountainous railway in Greece.
I would definitely recommend doing the route, from here to the coastal town of Diakofto and back (total time about 80 minutes). You can also do the route to Kalavryta and back, but it's not as impressive. After all, Kalavryta is only 15 minutes away by car.
GREAT FAITH CAVE
A visit here cannot be considered complete unless you pass through the doors of the Monastery of the Great Cave (“Mega Spileon“ in greek). Built on a steep, majestic rock, the monastery is one of the most important monasteries of Orthodoxy and is probably the oldest in Greece, as it was built in 362 AD.
Of course, this text would be incomplete if I didn't suggest the best activity of the area, which is also extremely easy: hiking from the station in Zachlorou to Diakofto. Total time is about 4 to 5 hours, depending on how many stops you make, but the path (part of the E4) is downhill, mostly next to the Odontotos tracks and very passable. A little care is needed at the bridges and when meeting the train, which can be heard in the distance.
If you decide to do the hike, take care:
Inform some people that you will be doing the trail (and at the train station)
Be sure to be at least two people and not alone
Be sure to make sure that there are at least two or more people, and that there are two or more people in the train.
Read about the timetables, so that you are ready for your train encounters
In narrow places and bridges pass with caution and one by one
If the weather is bad, DO NOT do the hike.
Extra tip: try and bike the whole way down!
A relatively nearby excursion from Zachlorou is Planitero, with its springs and old plane trees.
Finally, an easy visit to Kalavryta, which is only 10 km from Kato Zachlorou. Kalavryta deserves its own, stand-alone post in the near future.
