Sivota 2012 – Gliki and the Acheron River

When we visited Sivota for the first time in 2005, we went on an excursion to the Acheron River (Αχέροντα/Αχέρων). Located near the village of Gliki (Γλυκή). its source is located near the village of Zotiko (Ζωτικό), South West of Ioannina (Ιωάννηνα).

Back in 2005, we had a guide who took us up the river – it is shallow most of the way, though there are some deep bits. The water is FREEZING because of the springs, and because of the steepness of the mountain side above, it can be 45oc outside and you wouldn’t know!

We returned in 2008 and visited the river again – this time without the guide. And we did the same again this year, on Monday 13. August.

Gliki itself is a very nice little Greek village, with a couple of (small) supermarkets, tavernas and a bakery where we stopped for lunch.

There are a couple of tavernas on the river, just outside the village of Glyki (go over the bridge and turn left); rafting and canoeing is available also. We took our own lunch, and sat on one of the mini beaches beside the river. To get to it you have to walk up the river a little bit (its only ankle deep for this bit and the water is very clear).

A little later on, Mum, Dad and Corrie decided they would walk up the river; you can go quite away before you reach a bridge and can then walk back down the mountainside on the footpath, or float back down with the current back to Gliki. They were gone for nearly 3 hours whilst I sat on the beach and continued reading my book – Sir Robin Day’s memoirs.

Walking up the river is very safe; the water is clear, for most of the way its not more than knee deep (though there are a few shorter bits) and you’re never alone as there are always plenty of other people doing the same. Most of them I think were Greek, there were a few Italians and one English family.

Personally I’m not a fan of the freezing cold water so I stayed on the beach where I had a choice between shade and sunlight and having a bit of a paddle, but I would still highly recommend a trip to the river. I did the difficult bit (swimming in the freezing cold river) in 2005… so as long as I have a paddle every time we go back there then I’m happy.

Updated map below, showing Gliki and the river in relation to Sivota. Remember to use the + and – buttons to zoom in and out!

View Sivota 2012 – Σύβοτα 2012 in a larger map

Tomorrow: Igoumenitsa, Drepano Beach and Plataria.