National park · Greece
Tzoumerka National ParkΕθνικό Πάρκο Τζουμέρκα
Visit Tzoumerka National Park for a day of hiking to waterfalls and stone villages, or a multi-day trek on marked trails; entry fee is unconfirmed (check locally).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
820 km² (317 sq mi)317 sq mi (820 km²)
approximate
Established
2009
Best months
May–Jun
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Greece ↗Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Greece ↗Taking stones, pottery or other objects from archaeological sites is illegal; so is exporting antiquities without a permit.
- Greece ↗Do not photograph military sites or border zones; signs mark them.
- Greece ↗Acropolis tickets are sold for one-hour entry slots on the official Hellenic Heritage site (hhticket.gr); in peak season slots sell out days ahead, and you cannot enter outside your hour.
- Greece ↗Businesses must give a receipt (apodeixi) for every sale; ask for one, and do not accept a handwritten note in place of it.
At a glance
- Country
- Greece
- Area
- 820 km² (317 sq mi)317 sq mi (820 km²)
- Approximately 820 km² covering forest, alpine meadows and river valleys; figures may vary by source.
- Established
- 2009
- Best months
- May–Jun
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Ioannina
Tzoumerka National Park protects the rugged Athamanika mountains of Epirus, offering remote waterfalls, gorges and traditional stone villages, with marked trails for hikers of all levels and opportunities for rafting on the Arachthos.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2009.
Size and age
820 km² (317 sq mi)317 sq mi (820 km²) · national park since 2009
Approximately 820 km² covering forest, alpine meadows and river valleys; figures may vary by source.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Ioannina.
Why go
- Remote mountain scenery with waterfalls, gorges and traditional stone villages.
- Marked hiking trails for beginners and experienced walkers, plus rafting on the Arachthos.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecAvoid
- JanRoads often closed, snow.
- FebSame as January.
- MarEarly spring, some passes open.
- AprPasses open, waterfalls strong.
- MayWaterfalls full; passes usually open (check).
- JunWarm, good hiking, waterfalls still flowing.
- JulFalls dry, heat; still good for villages.
- AugDry, hot; some trails dusty.
- SepCooler, fewer crowds.
- OctPleasant weather, autumn colours; Baros Pass may close (check).
- NovCool, occasional snow on highest peaks.
- DecRoad closures, winter conditions.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed forest birds and small mammalsMar–Oct · Observe from trails; no large predators. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Pramanta | Largest village, base for hikes, shops and accommodation. | Open year‑round, road may be closed in deep winter. |
| Kakarditsa summit area | Highest point (2429 m) in the park; access via marked trails from various points. | Snow may block access in winter; check conditions locally. |
| Katarraktis waterfall zone | Waterfall and short forest walk near the village of Katarraktis. | Trail marked, reachable by car to the village. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points of villages or landmarks.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | Free | person | Entry fee not published; check at the park office in Pramanta or local tourist information (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed outside designated villages; stay in local guesthouses (check).check
- Off‑road driving
- Only on marked roads; protect fragile mountain terrain (check).check
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only in villages (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Pramanta village guesthouses
Simple rooms, restaurants and shops within walking distance of trailheads.
Near the park
Sirako (car‑free)
Stone‑house inns; access by foot or bike only.
Safety
Steep, rocky sections medium
Limited mobile coverage low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main village roads reachable by car; trails are unpaved and steep, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Buy food and services in villages to support local economies.
- Stay on marked trails and pack out all litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tzoumerka National Park?
A small entry fee of €2–5 per person is typical for Greek mountain parks, but the exact amount is not published; check at the park office.
What are the best hikes in Tzoumerka National Park?
Kakarditsa summit (moderate, 2–3 h), Katarraktis waterfall loop (easy, 1 h), and the Plaka Bridge area with optional rafting.
When is the best time to visit Tzoumerka National Park?
May to June offers full waterfalls and open passes; September to October provides cooler weather and fewer crowds.
Can I drive my car into the park?
Yes, to villages like Pramanta; off‑road driving is restricted to marked roads only.
Is camping allowed in the wilderness?
No, camping is only permitted in designated villages; use local guesthouses.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Tzoumerka National Park
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