Tzoumerka, in a white colour the most of the year, with the intense relief and the impressive landscapes, even more with the unique nature -that have contributed to this piece of land its own miracle- invite the visitor to explore and know every corner of the place.
The symbiosis of the built with the natural environment makes the region of Tzoumerka have a very own personality. This harmony combined with knowledge of the history of the site can be a source of inspiration for visitors.
So a tour by car or wandering in the settlements or in the rich forests and in the riparian ecosystems will surely let in anyone, who wants to wander in the area, a special and unique flavor.
In Tzoumerka, mountains are hard to walk. The routes are not walks, but the unanimity of the landscape is unique. Isolated from the rest of the world and the frequent visits, surrounded by towering and steep peaks of southern Pindos is a place that dares you to walk in and know it. Do not miss the opportunity.
Geographical location
Tzoumerka is a prolonged line of peaks with general direction from the north to the South. Inaccessible and with a hard topography they have several peaks over 2,000 meters, forming an impenetrable wall between Arachthos (Western) and Achelous in South-East. Tzoumerka's region extends to the two prefectures of Ioannina and Arta.
The part of the prefecture of Ioannina is defined north and west of the river Arachthos, south of the Prefecture of Arta and east of the prefecture of Trikala. Includes the Municipality of Pramanta based in Pramanta, the Municipality of Tzoumerka based in Houliarades and the Communities of Kalarrytes, Matsouki and Sirrako.
The economics of the region is the domination of the livestock, and the limited participation of other industries and sectors because of the large population decline.
Along with Katsanochoria west of Arachthos, total of 23 villages, occupy an area of 362 square kilometers and a population of 7,059 inhabitants (according to the census of 2001).
The villages are Aetorahi, Ambelochori, Baptistis, Elliniko, Kalarrytes, Kalentzi, Kedros, Koritiani, Michalitsi, Monolithi, Paleochori of Sirrako, Pirovouni, Pigadia, Plesia, Malakasio, Matsouki, Platanousa, Potistika, Pramanta, Prosilio, Raftanei, Syrrako, Fortosi and Xouliarades.
Geomorphology and climate
The area of Arachthos is structured by geological formations belonging to two different geotectonic zones:
1 The Pindos Zone (east) and2 The Ionian Zone (central-west)3 The shores of Arachthos offer a "panorama" of the structure of the Ionian Zone from the village Kedros (Municipality of Tzoumerka), north of the study area, until Kalentzi (Municipality of Katsanohoria).4 The climate of the region passes from Mediterranean to temperate, maintaining the characteristics of Mediterranean type, for the most at the lower altitudes than the mountainous areas. Is characterized by harsh to cold winter, rich in rain, hot summer with several local rains.
Nature of the region
The diversity of climate in the region, coupled with the large height differences and the high turnover of geomorphology and terrain helps the development of valuable, rich and in some cases, rare flora and fauna.
Large areas with herbaceous and shrub vegetation that have received the effect of grazing are very representative in terms of bird life. Even many endemic, rare and endangered species of bird-fauna hosted in plant communities.
Such plant formations can be found on the steep slopes of the ravine of Arachthos.
Forests create landscapes of exceptional beauty with the rotation of colours showing during autumn. Characteristics species of these types of forests is the arbutus, laurel, the ash, the koutsoupia, the kokorevithia and oaks.
The character of riparian ecosystems is characterized by a mosaic of species that consist mainly by willows, alders, sycamores, etc, and creates in many areas, regions of particular aesthetic beauty and environmental importance.
The fauna of the region is of particular interest since it hosts rare and protected species of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. The variety, coupled with the presence of several rare species, resulted in the inclusion of parts of the wider area in the network of Natura 2000. There is hosted, also, a rich birdlife.