Edessa – mountain Villages of Vora – Aridaia

From Edessa, follow the national road towards Florina (west). After crossing the bridge over the Voda River, you will meet the junction to Kerasia, Orma and Loutraki. Turn right (north) and follow the road, having on your left (west) the verdant slopes of Voras and on your right (east) the fertile plain of Aridaia.

After Kerasia, continue northwards until you reach the green Village of Orma, with its running waters. From there, a little further on, you will find the heavenly gorge of the mountain, with its magnificent waterfalls and lush vegetation. In the area, you can relax in the thermal baths of Loutraki. Don’t miss the wonderful path that leads to a cave of paleontological interest. The cave is located northwest, a short distance from the baths, and some of its findings are exhibited in the small museum of the area.

Three kilometres east of the baths, in the village of Loutraki, you will find a crossroads. Following the good dirt road to the left (northeast), pass the small hamlet of Yliko and continue on the asphalt road. After 5 km of a wonderful route, you will reach the picturesque Sosandra, with its old stone houses.

From there, climb the road north to Promachos, the beautiful little village whose inhabitants grow the fleshy, smoky Bahovou peppers – a name derived from the old name of the village.

Coming out of Promachos, on your left you will see a chapel, built on the site of the old Monastery of Agios Hilarion, dating back to the 12th century.

Going down from Promachos and before you reach Sosandra, turn left at the junction (northeast) to visit Garefio. There, you will feel the peace and the scents of Vora, following the signs of the International Mountaineering Trail E6, which passes through the area, while enjoying the view of the fertile plain of Aridaia.

Aridaia, which was known as Karatzova until 1951, is built on the fertile plain of Almopia. The region is famous for its excellent quality fruits and vegetables, such as Prague beans, papa beans (a type of vegetable) and Bahovian smoked peppers.

Next to the Town Hall building is the Natural History Museum, with exhibits of fossils, plants, minerals, rocks and traditional costumes of the area. The building where the museum is housed is the old stone railway station, built during the First World War by the Allied troops.

From Aridaia cross the plain with the orchards and head towards Edessa.