Hikes around Lake Stefaniada

3-4, 6-9 & 11 August

Stefaniada is a small, remote village in eastern Argithea. It is known for its lake, Lake Stefaniada, the youngest natural lake in Greece, formed by a large landslide in 1963. It is located between towering mountains and stands out for its color that changes depending on the season and weather conditions. It is suitable for swimming, especially in summer after a hike in the area.

From the village with its beautiful square with its two centuries-old plane trees, two paths descend to the lake that hug it, forming a circular route: the A47-Stefaniada-waterfall-lake (length 3.1 km and elevation difference 265 m) and the A48-Stefaniada-Ag. Paraskevi-lake (length 3 km and elevation difference 330 meters). The A47 passes by the Stefaniotiko stream where we encounter a waterfall and platforms suitable for a cool dip. The A48, higher, passes by the chapel of Agia Paraskevi. Where, with a small detour, we go to an excellent viewpoint that takes our breath away. From here we have the lake at our feet and across the way we see the highest mountains, most notably Karava, the highest mountain of Agrafa. Further down, before reaching the lake, we walk through a unique, lunar landscape, with large rocks that came to the surface from the landslide that wiped out forests and meadows and formed the lake.

Finix Adventures suggests the following routes in Stefaniada:

1.Lakeside hike to the pedestals. Length: 2 km.

An easy lakeside hike begins in a holm oak forest, passes by the beach where the Stefaniotis River flows into the lake, and continues along the riverbanks in a plane tree forest until it meets the pedestals and the waterfall.

Starting point: The lake plateau where the festival is.

End point: same as the start

Difficulty level: easy for beginners, also suitable for families with children

2.-3. Hike from Stefaniada village to the lake. either A47 or A48 path Length: 3 km each

A47 The route starts from the village of Stefaniada (1,100 m.) and follows the water path. The downhill course connects the village with the lake through an impressive forest of oak and holly trees, which is followed by a charming plane forest. A beautiful stop is made at the pedestals with the waterfall formed by the Stefaniotis River. Along the way, one encounters a multitude of herbs and wildflowers. The route is completed by reaching the lake beach.

A48 The route starts from the village of Stefaniada (1,100 m.) and follows the old path that the villagers used from the settlements to carry food with the animals and for the children to go to school. We pass by Agia Parakseyi with a panoramic view of the lake, from the Pigadia spring/fountain to the old settlement of Chiraiika with half-ruined stone houses. Through the holm oak forest we are led to the birth point of the lake, where red rocks and dunes are replaced by huge boulders lower down. Then we reach the plateau of the lake where the festival takes place.

Starting point: The square in the village of Stefaniada

End point: The lake plateau where the festival is.

*We will transport drivers back to the starting point to collect their cars.

Difficulty level for A47 and A48: moderate. Requires suitable shoes and relatively good physical condition

4. The lake tour. Length: 6 km.

This trail has it all: a lakeside route in an oak and holm oak forest, a beach with dozens of herbs, a riverside plane forest, platforms with a waterfall for swimming, an old spring, the old settlement of Pigadia (Chiraiika), the old cobblestone path where they used to walk with their animals and go to school from the Bardakatika neighborhood, a view of the lake from above, the "carpet" above the buried settlement of Isiomata and again plane forest to the starting point.

Starting point: The square in the village of Stefaniada

End point: The lake plateau where the festival is.

Difficulty level: Moderate to difficult. Requires suitable shoes and fairly good physical condition due to the elevation difference.