Ano Chora lies at an elevation of 1,050 metres on the northern slopes of Mount Sirta. The village was formerly called Megali Lompotina; this former name refers to the same destination. Its topographical setting and historical name provide a brief introduction. When choosing a destination, you can consider whether named hiking trails, the old market quarter, or the architecture of the Church of Agia Paraskevi matters most to you. Each feature offers a different point of reference: walking times for the trails, specific architectural features of the church, and a traditionally influenced village setting.
Forest and the Old Market Quarter
The forests of Ano Chora are characterised in particular by fir and chestnut trees. The old market quarter has narrow, cobbled lanes and traditional coffeehouses. These features bring out different sides of the village: the tree species characterise the forest landscape, while the lanes and coffeehouses give the market quarter its distinctive character. If you compare destinations for both nature and traditional village life, these two aspects can help you place Ano Chora in context.
The Church of Agia Paraskevi
The Church of Agia Paraskevi is built of hewn black stone. Its ground plan is cruciform, and two bell towers are incorporated into the structure. The cruciform ground plan describes the shape of the building; the stone material and bell towers add to its architectural character. For travellers who take sacred architecture into account alongside scenery and hiking when choosing a destination, the church is a specific point of interest.
Hiking Trails by Duration and Destination
Four named trails lead from Ano Chora to different destinations. The Trail of Heracles leads to Ampelakiotissa and is listed as taking three hours to walk. The Trail of Deianeira to Podos is also listed as taking three hours; the destination therefore distinguishes the two routes, which take the same time. The Trail of Oineas to Kato Chora is listed as taking one hour and 45 minutes, while the Trail of Atalanta to Kryoneria is listed as taking four hours and 15 minutes. The durations therefore range from one hour and 45 minutes to four hours and 15 minutes, a difference of two and a half hours between the shortest and longest listed times. If you are choosing a route based on the time required, you can first consider this range and, for the two three-hour options, use their respective destinations as an additional criterion.
A Culinary Event in October
At the Chestnut and Tsipouro Festival in Ano Chora, local pies and cooked goat meat are served in mid-October. The event combines a visit to the village with a seasonal culinary occasion; the dishes mentioned give a specific sense of the connection to local cuisine.
For planning your travel dates, the time-specific event differs from the village's other features. The festival takes place in mid-October, while the church, the market quarter, and the tree species mentioned describe the destination regardless of the date. If your travel dates are flexible, you can consider Ano Chora based on its hiking trails and their listed walking times. If you want the festival to be the focus of your visit, check the specific festival dates before travelling. This can help you decide whether a particular event date or the village's enduring features should be the deciding factor.
Discover more destinations: Nafpaktos, Pogonia, Chrisopigi, Krioneri, Pálairos, Mesolongion, Katouna, Sikea
For the regional travel overview: Aetolia-Acarnania.
