Lake Kremasta

Kremasta was created in 1965 when the Acheloos was dammed at Kremasta, flooding the valleys where four rivers meet and forming a lake of about 80 square kilometres with a coastline so indented it looks like a drowned mountain range, which is exactly what it is. Villages were relocated, and in low water traces of the flooded ones reappear. The lake is crossed by the Episkopi and Tatarna bridges, high concrete spans over deep blue water, and the monastery of Tatarna sits above the water near the bridge named after it. Fishing boats work the water, and the roads that follow the shore wind for hours through fir and oak with almost no traffic. Water levels swing widely between spring and late summer.

The landscape

• The high bridges - Episkopi and Tatarna spanning deep arms of the lake.
• Tatarna Monastery - a monastery above the water by the bridge.
• The drowned valleys - a branching shoreline of flooded river beds.
• The shore roads - long, empty mountain drives around the arms.

When to go

Spring, when the lake is full and the hills are green; autumn for colour and clear light. By late summer the level can drop many metres, exposing bare banks and old foundations.

Before you go

There is almost no tourist infrastructure: few places to stay or eat, no organised boat trips in most seasons, and long slow drives between points. Swimming is possible but access to the water is awkward from steep banks.

Nearby

Karpenisi and Evrytania lie east; Agrinio and Lake Trichonida are south.

Key facts