What to do · Activities
Ziria starts forty-five minutes to an hour from the beach of Xylokastro. There are trails for hiking, dirt roads for 4x4, horses at Rethi, archery, mountain biking and paintball. Deeper into the mountain lie Lake Doxa, the gorges and the ski centre.
Four ways
Mountainous Corinthia lends itself to unique drives by car or jeep, whether organised or off-road. The dirt roads of the plateau and the passes around Ziria are driveable all year round, an hour from the sea. Choose a route to match your vehicle and your mood.
The summit of Ziria can be reached both by paths you will discover on your own and by organised, waymarked trails. Along the way you get to know the mountain up close: you cross the fir forest, meet natural springs and, with a little luck, foxes, semi-wild horses and cattle grazing freely. The routes and their combinations are many, enough for several visits.
Next to Trikala, at Rethi Korinthias, the Free Riding Centre operates. From the saddle you see the paths and landscapes of the area differently. Young riding fans go for a ride on ponies, always under the guidance of the centre's attendants.
The Free Riding Centre also has facilities and equipment for archery, if you want to test your aim. For a workout with a view there are mountain-biking routes, while groups play paintball at specially set-up facilities, with all the necessary safety measures.
Organised experiences
Deeper into the mountain, around Lake Doxa on the Feneos plateau and the Ziria ski centre, organised activities turn Xylokastro into a mountain destination for every season.
Rent and drive a buggy across the Ziria plateau, through the forests around Lake Doxa and up to the Agios Loukas gorge — from one-hour rides to half-day trips, off-road, with equipment and a guide.
On the artificial lake of 1998, with the little chapel of Agios Fanourios in its middle, you take to the water by canoe-kayak, SUP or hydrobike, or ride around it on a mountain bike — from spring through autumn.
With the first snow, the Ziria ski centre becomes a track for snow buggies and snowmobiles, an hour from the sea at Xylokastro.
Near Xylokastro, one of the most demanding and famous gorges in the area: a route of about 2 km with 350 m of elevation change, for those after a challenge in mountainous Corinthia.
These organised activities are run by Explore Ziria, based at the Ziria Ski Centre. Info & bookings: +30 6943 157 320 ·[email protected]