If you’d like to visit a popular Greek place that combines splendid natural landscapes, good food, plenty of reviving outdoor activities and picturesque villages, Lake Plastira is the place for you. First things first, it’s essential to rent a good, reliable car to get you there with comfort and ease.
We suggest you visit the Avis website, where we quickly found the exact car we were looking for – one that could comfortably accommodate four people with luggage and was economical in terms of petrol consumption, which is very important in this day and age. We picked up our car from the arranged location we selected via our online booking, and off we went on our three-day adventure!
A Grandiose Ecosystem
Lake Plastira (or Lake Tavropos) is a relatively new artificial lake. It was created in 1959, with the construction of the dam across the river Tavropou. The 220-metre-long dam held back the river’s waters, which flooded the plateau and formed this lake. It was unofficially named after Nikolaos Plastiras, the man who envisioned its creation and the name seems to have stuck. We found out the lake’s waters powers the hydroelectric power station of the Public Power Corporation (DEH), irrigates the Thessalian plain and supplies water to the city of Karditsa, as well as other towns and villages in the prefecture. But what made us choose this of beat destination is that not only is the lake itself a wonderful sight but also its surrounding area. We were told that we’ll find really cool nature, see noteworthy cultural sites and there are some exciting activities we can do.
After a relaxed four-hour drive, we reached Neochori, the region’s most touristic village, which is built with in the thick forest with nice clearings leading to the lake’s shorelines. This is where our digs were located, as well as tavernas, grocery stores and other kinds of shops. We’d been told of these places before coming, but we were surprised to discover the Neochori Botanical Garden. It’s conservation space filled with plants and trees from all over the world that thrive in the area’s hospitable micro-climate.
Nestled within the approximately 10 acres of lush gardens is a small wooden cottage housing a photo exhibition that depicts a tragedy that occurred in the area in 1959. The display honours the memory of 20 individuals who died when their boat capsized in the lake shortly after it was created.
Around the Lake
It goes without saying that since we had a trustworthy car, we were galvanized to explore the wider area around the lake. Circling Lake Plastira equates to a 60-kilometre drive, on mostly decent roads. We took a short detour to reach our first stop, the Monastery of Panagia Pelekiti, which stands at an altitude of 1,400 metres and has a courtyard looking out to fabulous views. Carved into a vertical rock, the approximately 500-year-old monastery and its buildings are in pretty good condition, as are the icons and other items.
Next, we drove towards then across Tavropos Dam, which is really wonderful experience in itself. Then off to Moucha, where we were awestruck by the view of the lake which looked to me a little like a Nordic fjord with a little tree covered island in the middle island, Niaga it’s called.
We spent practically an entire day driving the 60-kilometre circle around the lake because we stopped so often to admire and photograph all the different views. If you don’t have enough time to do the same, make sure you don’t miss the spot where Kryoneri and Neochori connect, and try to make a stopover at Kalyvia Pezoula (another lovely village we could have used as our base). For about nine kilometres of your drive, you’ll have the shores of the lake on one side and the lush trees on the other.
Hiking and Stunning Views
The drive was good and our visit to the lake shores even better, but our key reason for leaving Athens to come here was to deeply commune with nature. We love hiking and were told that this was an awesome area to trek around, as it’s not too challenging but really beautiful. Most of the area’s hiking trails stretch between the village of Belokomiti and the dam, and criss-cross through forested dirt tracks.
Some sections, however, extend onto marked trails. We followed the M3 trail, which leads to the Observatory from Zygogiarneika; at an height of 1350 metres above sea level. Luckily it was a clear day so we got the opportunity to take in the stunning view of the lake and the mountains of Karditsa and Evritania. It was probably the best moment of a very full weekend in a place that “emerged” from man’s need to tame and use the power nature.
We took a different road on the way back, stopping at the village of Kastania. In this spruce-covered village with impressive traditional architecture in Thessalian Agrafa area is a wonderful taverna, historic Kostoulas (2441 094125), which specializes in slow-cooked Greek fare. Perhaps when we have time again we will return to this side of Agrafa and explore it further. Without a doubt, on our next trip we will again plump for an Avis car, as for me you can’t beat the professionalism, quality as well as the safety and comfort that we got from our trusty Avis rental.
Lake Plastiras on the map
Tips for Your Visit to Lake Plastira
In addition to the forest trails in Belokomitis, you can go hiking and cycling on the lake’s shores. In general, there are several organized outdoor adventure sports activities that you can plan in the area, from cycling on the water’s edge along the lakeside and in the gorgeous forest, to canoeing or kayaking even horse-riding and archery.
You’ll find some excellent food in the area. Apart from Kostoulas, we were recommended Manitari (mushroom) (2441 093322) in Neochori, The traditional butcher’s taverna of Zarnavalos (2441 092008) in Kalyvia Pezoula and tavern Tsardaki (2441020024), have been on the east side of the lake since 1939 and are famous for their homemade stews cooked in a wood-fired oven as well as their wild greens pie with a corn flour crust and of course tasty locally reared meats.
Lake Plastira is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway. If you have more time, however, combine your trip there with a visit to Mouzaki (about 45 minutes from Neochori), Trikala (about 60 minutes’ drive further) or Meteora (less than an hour and a half away).
Read also:
Road Trip to Tzoumerka, Greece: A Winter Destination of Remarkable Beauty
Road trip to the Stunning Lake Kremasta in Mountainous Central Greece
Road trip to Meteora and the Mountains of Trikala: A Route for all Seasons
