DESCRIPTION: Peklari, the gorge of Kleisoura.

For the gorge of Kleisoura in Peklari, we can unreservedly say that it is the epitome of the concept and the geological phenomenon of canyons and gorges. Although the length of its route is not particularly long, about 800 meters, the hiking visitor will encounter and admire all the features of a big in length canyon.

Steep high rocks, with vertical flat or striated surfaces of many shapes and forms, with various shades, natural rock caves and crevasses, sloping stony or earthy surfaces with rich flora (herbaceous plants, a wide variety of herbs, shrubs, even large trees), all these, each individually or all together, compose images of infinite beauty that only Nature can create and always with “background music” the sound of the running waters of Lakkos.

Countless plane trees line the entire Lakkos river both on its way through the gorge and in the wider area. The entrance of the canyon is particularly impressive and it is defined by a rock, conical in shape with a small iconostasis built on top of it (to the left of the entrance). On the right side, high on the rock there is a cave. There are many rumors about it, even that it was a monk’s hermitage since some altered graphic representations [perhaps from Hagiographies] have been found.

The imperative communication needs of the villagers of Peklari with Konitsa, when the usual road was inaccessible (due to a lot of snow and the fact that it was impossible to cross the gorge) led to the search for roads, which would provide a solution to this the problem. Thus, two paths were created. The one on the right of the river bed of Lakkos, with the name of Liutsika which ended at the stone bridge in Bousi, after the exit of the canyon, {work of the late benefactor of Peklari, Georgios Karagiannis, 1844-1933}. The other, on the left of the river bed of Lakkos, with the name Giannis path, which ended at Kokkini Rachi. Both paths are quite rugged, but definitely safer than any other option.