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NATURE · SPRING, SUMMER, AUTUMN

Valia Calda, the 'warm valley' of the Pindus

  • 24 min by car · 19.6 km
  • Jun–Oct
  • a full day
A river valley between black pine and fir forests in Valia Calda, with Pindus peaks in the distance.
The Valia Calda valley in spring

Photo: Eleni Alexiou · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

HOW FAR
24 minBy car · 19.6 km
TIME NEEDED
a full day
BEST MONTHS
Jun–Oct
WHERE
Pindus National Park

A national park since 1966, from 1,076 to 2,177 metres, with black pine and beech forests that are home to brown bears, wolves and chamois. The name is Vlach for 'warm valley'. It is one of the three core zones of the Northern Pindus National Park, the largest land-based national park in Greece.

WHO IT SUITS

  • experienced walkers
  • photographers and lovers of big forests

PRACTICAL

Before you set off, call in at the National Park information centre in Metsovo, which covers Valia Calda and the Aoos springs and hands out free printed material (tel. +30 26560 42720). On the trail, leave no food behind and keep your distance if you see a bear.

A CAVEAT

The centre's hours (Tue–Sat 08:30–15:30) come from an archived page; confirm by phone. The best months are inferred from the climate (the driest months), not a park recommendation.

Official website · necca.gov.gr

A rushing, pebbled river between tall pines in Valia Calda on a sunny spring day.
The river in Valia Calda

Photo: Eleni Alexiou · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

A dirt path between tall black pines in Valia Calda, blue sky between the crowns.
A path through the pines of Valia Calda

Photo: Agis Kothalis · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

SOURCES

Checked on 25 October 2026.

STAY IDEAS

Stay ideas that include it

The tiled roofs of Metsovo on a green hillside below the forest on a summer evening.

Summer5–7 nights

Photo: Ellibah · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

A cool August

August 2025, average low: 13.5 °C in Metsovo, 25.1 °C in Athens. Average high: 25.0 against 32.9 °C.

SUITE Pátru

NEXT DATES

  • Mid-August 2027 12–17 August 2027 Available
  • Mid-August 2028 11–16 August 2028 Available
ASK FOR AUGUST DATES The whole plan

AUTUMN

In the same season

All experiences

The cobbled main square of Metsovo in the shade of the great plane tree, lined with shops.

3 minOn foot

Photo: Mixalis08 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

CULTUREALL YEAR

The square and the Kastro

The Greek National Tourism Organisation calls Metsovo's square one of the most famous in mountain Greece: tall plane trees, Agia Paraskevi with its carved 1730 iconostasis, the 1858 fountain and, on the benches, elderl…

Tip: On August evenings the square hosts events and the road around the Kastro is closed to cars (2026: 31 July–20 August, 20:00–23:30).

How far
3 min on foot
Time needed:
30 minutes, or as long as a coffee

Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

The slate roofs of the Averoff Gallery in Metsovo, with the Pindus mountains beyond.

4 minOn foot

Photo: C messier · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

CULTUREALL YEAR

Averoff Gallery

A museum of 19th- and 20th-century Greek painting, open since 27 August 1988, with more than 700 works; about 250 hang permanently, from Gyzis and Lytras to Parthenis, Ghikas, Moralis and Tetsis.

Tip: Open daily, including public holidays, 10:00–16:00, closed on Tuesdays.

How far
4 min on foot
Time needed:
1–2 hours

Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

The stone Tositsa mansion with its timber oriel, now the Folk Art Museum of Metsovo.

6 minOn foot

Photo: C messier · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

CULTUREALL YEAR

Tositsa Mansion, the Folk Art Museum

A real Metsovo mansion, first built in 1661 and a museum since 1955, with its textiles, furniture and costumes.

Tip: Daily 10:00–16:00, closed on Thursdays.

How far
6 min on foot
Time needed:
1 hour

Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December