Visit to the Aroanios Springs - Forest Trails on the Southern Slopes of Chelmos
One very lovely excursion is a visit to the source of the Aroanios River in the village of Planitero, and afterwards wandering around (in an off-road vehicle) on the fir covered southern slopes of Mount Chelmos, through the small and little-known villages of Tourlada, Agios Nikolaos, Armpounas, Valtos, Zarelia, and Mazi (Elatofyto).
The abundant sources of the Aroanios River are found below the village of Planitero. From there the Aroanios flows on for about 10 kilometers, ending in the Ladonas River a little after Chelonospilia. The area around the springs has been set up as a recreation area, with sufficient resources for mass tourism. One characteristic of the region is its trout farms, which serve (mostly) trout cooked in all possible ways.
A very lovely forest road starts near the Dessi Spring between Agios Nikolaos and Tourlada, and climbs up to 1,400 meters and the plateau the locals call Arachova because the landscape (with fir trees, etc.) resembles that of Arachova near Delphi. This road goes between the roadway connecting Planitero with Mazi (Elatofyto).
A second very beautiful alternative woodland excursion (for 4x4s) starts at Armpounas, passes (with a small detour to the right) the Hermitage of Papoulakos, and ends at the Planitero road, about 2 kilometers from the source of the Aroanios River (45 minutes).
