Lake Ziros has long been a travel secret of Epirus, known only to locals and in-the-know visitors. It is telling that until a few years ago, Lake Ziros didn’t even exist on tourist maps. Better-known today, but still mostly off radar, it never gets crowded, preserving its unique, charming character.
Lake Ziros (or simply Ziros, as locals sometimes name it) belongs to the regional administration of Preveza, and is considered a small lake, with a maximum length of 900m and a width of 600m, while its depth reaches 70m.
The name Ziros is a corruption of the Slavic word for lake, proof of the presence of Slavic settlers in the area during the Middle Ages. The area has been inhabited since the Prehistoric times, when the lake was a cave (that later collapsed) and at a 1km radius around it there were populations found at Kokkinopilos and Asprohalkos. Later, the creation of the lake with the rock formations around it was attributed to a local legend about two sisters – one nice and one mean – and an angel.
Lake Ziros
Lake Ziros has an elliptical shape, is located at an altitude of 56m and is known for its natural beauty. It is a wetland and it belongs to the Natura 2000 network. In spring, storks arrive to build their nests, while throughout the year many bird species live here – including short-toed snake eagles, common buzzards, hoopoes, ducks, water rails, sedge warblers and nightingales. Amphibians are plentiful including the Balkan terrapin, the European green lizard, dice snakes, as well as many otters. In addition, there are silver carps, Albanian barbels and freshwater crabs in its waters.
Around the calm, clean and surprisingly blue waters there is a lovely deciduous forest which is inaccessible in parts due to its density and thickness. However, there are some clearings between the plane trees, poplars, willows, oaks and ash trees, while there are also some benches where you can sit and enjoy the landscape and the views. On the south part of the lake, there is even a shallow sandy beach.
The idyllic location was what made the Swiss architects choose the site to build Ziropolis (officially known as “Paidopolis Agios Alexandros Limnis Zirou), a home for orphans of World War II and of the Civil War. Its establishment – it was in operation until 1975 – was important for the local economy, now augmented by the visitors who come to the lake to canoe, kayak, and hike in the forest paths around the lake.
Rather than receiving its waters from the surrounding mountains, its depths are formed from underground springs that arise to the north of the lake, 12m under the water surface.
How to get there
Lake Ziros is easily accessible by car from Filippiada, in the province of Preveza, which is only 3km away. Starting from Filippiada, you will find the lake 3km west on the old Arta-Ioannina national road, across from the village of Pantanassa.
Apart from canoeing, kayaking and hiking you can also cycle the trails in the forest. On the east bank there is a café-restaurant that will cater to all your coffee, refreshment and food needs, serving snacks through to a full menu.
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