Helmos-Vouraikos Geopark
The UNESCO World Geopark of Helmos-Vouraikos spreads in the Northern Peloponnese over an area of 647 sq.km.
It is a mountainous region which hosts approximately 7,000 inhabitants scattered in villages and towns, between high mountains and deep river valleys.
It has been a member of the European and Global Network of Geoparks since 2009, and joined the UNESCO program in 2015, due to a combination of diverse geological, natural and cultural elements that give it its unique character.
To date, 43 different geosites and 7 geotrails have been designated which the visitor can explore, learning about the place’s unique geology, rich biodiversity, special cultural history and human activity.
Geology & Biodiversity
The rich geodiversity of the geopark is inextricably linked to the significant biodiversity it presents.More than 1100 species of plants thrive in the geopark area.
Six of them can only be found within the geopark area and their existence is directly linked to the type of soil they grow and thrive on.
At the same time, the area hosts a significant variety of fauna: insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
A total of 52 species of vertebrates and 73 species of invertebrates have been recorded to date.
Rocks & Biotic environment
The area of the geopark is covered to a significant extent by limestone rocks, many times strongly karstified (karstization=dissolution of calcium carbonate from the water).
The varied geomorphology (precipitous mountains, polgas, etc.) and the special conditions of the soil and water content in these areas create ideal conditions for the development of endemic species (species that are not found anywhere else in the world).
For example, the beautiful limestone volume of Helmos is a botanical Paradise for the entire Northern Peloponnese.
There are 5 narrow-endemic plant species (they are not found anywhere else in the world): Corydalis blanda subsp. oxelmannii, Lonicera alpigera subsp. hellenica, Polygala subuniflora and Valeriana crinii subsp crinii and Alchemilla aroanica which in fact got its name from the mountain (Chelmos or Aronia mountains).
Similar cases where the underlying rock regulates the types of plants that occur have been observed in other cases in the geopark area.
The alluvium (or underwater deposits of a river system) for example combined with the steep slopes creates ideal conditions for the vines.
It is no coincidence that the Klima site of Pausanias has a history of 3,000 years!
However, the limestone nature of the area also significantly affects the fauna. In its extensive underground karst network thrives one of the most important winter bat colonies in Europe (and the largest in Greece).
A colony was discovered in the Cave of the Lakes geosite, where more than 18,000 bats (Miniopterus schreibersi) and nine additional species are housed at different times of the year.
Geosites
The geopark’s geosites are divided into categories according to their special geological value.
A multitude of geological phenomena from tectonic, geomorphological and karst phenomena to sites of palaeontological, lithological or hydrological interest complete the geological “puzzle” (palimpsest) of the area.
Many of the geosites are of combined interest. Let’s get to know some of them better!
FREEMASONS
The tectonic geotopes record the movements that take place in the earth’s crust through faults and other tectonic structures.
They are associated with the creation of earthquakes and other catastrophic events as well as with the formation of the earth’s relief.
Tectonic Sinking of Kalavryta
The town of Kalavryta and the area around it is topographically lower than the surrounding area.
This “sinking” is delimited by faults, such as the Kalavryta fault in the south.
The areas on either side of the fault moved about 800m relative to each other creating a sedimentation basin.
This area has been filled with sediments younger than 5 million years which were created by a large river system at that time.
GEOMORPHOLOGICAL
The geomorphological geotopes depict the different morphological types of the earth’s crust in relation to the causes of their creation.
Styx Waters
THE Styx Waters geotop is located on Mount Helmos. An impressive 200 m high waterfall is formed in Jurassic limestones.
In the impressive rocks that surround it one can observe signs of rock movements on the surface of the earth.
It hosts a significant number of local endemic plants such as Globoularia stygia.
The location is known from mythology as the place where the gods swore.
High Peak
Mount Helmos (highest peak: Psili Korfi, 2,355 m) dominates the central part of the geopark, displaying its limestone mass and steep slopes.
It consists of limestones of the Tripoli geotectonic unit which are underlain by limestones, radiolarites and flysch of the Pindos geotectonic unit.
They come into contact through a fault near Psili Korfi. The high altitude of this mountain represents the high rate of elevation of the entire N. Peloponnese during the Pleistocene and Holocene (2.58 million years and after), due to the collision of the African and Eurasian plates.
Dourdouvana
The Dourdouvana peak (or Pentelia) is located at the southern end of the Helmos massif and has an altitude of 2109 m.
It is formed by limestones of the Tripoli zone that come into contact with dolomites through a fault.
Fossils of extinct bivalves (Rudists) and other organisms that lived in shallow seas are found on these rocks.
They are also significantly dissolved by water (karsticization) and for this reason one of the largest and most impressive reefs of the geopark is located in the area – the hole of Feneos (maximum depth 130 m).
KARST
Karst geotopes reflect the effect of water’s solubility in limestone rocks.
Cave of Lakes
It grows inside the limestone mass of Mount Amolinitsa along a fault with a NW-SE direction.
In addition to the rich decoration that develops in a large part of it, another very impressive structure is the 13 underground lakes that are created at different levels.
Because of the slow flow and drainage of the water, calcite walls, the so-called gur, are created to this day.
From excavations carried out in the first part of the cave near the natural entrance, rich archaeological and paleoanthropological remains were found that show that the cave was inhabited since 5650 BC. during the Neolithic Period.
PALEONTOLOGISTS
The geosites of paleontological interest include locations where fossils have been found. Fossils are irrefutable witnesses of the history of an area.
LITHOLOGICAL
The geosites of lithological interest include areas with special rocks in terms of their origin, age, composition, structure and distribution in the wider area.
HYDROLOGICAL
The hydrological geosites describe and reflect the movement, distribution and management of water in the area of interest.
Lake Doxa
On the eastern borders of the geopark and on the northwestern margins of the polgi of Feneos is Lake Doxa.
Due to the existence of an irrigation dam in a part of the Feneos valley, this artificial lake of amazing beauty was created.
On its margins one can observe the tectonic window of Feneos where older rocks, slates and quartzites of the Phyllitic-Quartzite series, emerge between newer ones of the Tripoli geotectonic zone due to the action of faults.
Inside Lake Doxa, there is a small church of the Byzantine style which perfectly complements the idyllic landscape.
Lake Tsivlou
Lake Tsivlou is located in the northeastern part of the geopark. It is a lake that was created due to a major natural disaster in 1913.
More specifically, the high rainfall that year and the instability of the slopes due to faults caused a large landslide.
The landslide material blocked the bed of the river Krathi, destroyed the village of Sylivaina and created this young lake with an age of only 110 years!
The landscape is unique around this mountain lake which is located among dense forest and suitable for alternative tourism activities.
VOURAIKOS GORGE
The Vouraikos is a river in Achaia, Peloponnese. In ancient times it was called Erasinos. Its source is in the Aroania (Chelmos) mountains, near the village of Priolithos. It flows past the towns of Kalavryta and Diakopto, and flows into the Gulf of Corinth near Diakopto. Its length is 40 km (24.8 mi).
The name is derived from Boura, a mythological daughter of Ion and Helice who was beloved by Hercules, who according to legend opened the gorge in order to get close to her.
This is the Vouraikos Gorge, which has a length of about 20 km (12.4 mi). In the gorge the river passes through dense vegetation and tunnels with many caves, passes and crags.
Vouraikos Gorge is located in the northern Peloponnese, between Mount Chelmos and the eastern extensions of Mount Panachaiko. It is part of Chelmos-Vouraikos Geopark.
Read more:
Vouraikos Gorge and the Rack Railway
