Amazing canyoning opportunities can be found in the gorges of Viniani and Vothona. Another great canyoning opportunity lies at Pantavrehi from September to October and from April to July. The latter is a relatively easy 4-hour ride that's really beautiful.

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The high woodlands of Evrytania have bestowed upon it a cornucopia of berries that are almost unique to this part of Greece. The most notable of these is mulberry and blackberry, which both make delicious jams in the area.

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A good place to begin discovering the tastes of the area – particularly the jams and preserves – is at the women's cooperatives of the area (e.g. the Agro-tourism Cooperative of Karpenissi). Taste the preserves made of black cherries, quince, figs, wild apples and wild cherries. Chestnuts and walnuts also figure strongly in this area's cuisine. There's even a jam made with Cornelian cherry dogwood. Quality honey and Royal Jelly are also on the menu, so prepare yourself for a sweet surprise in this respect. Herbs and herbal teas are also abundant and well worth investing in. Try chamomile, mountain tea, oregano, lavender and lime that add fragrance to life.

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Local pasta and grain products also aboud, such as the 'hilopites' noodles and dry 'trahanas' made with sheep's milk and grains, then reconstituted into a hearty soup.

Excellent cheeses such as Katiki and Tsalafouti must be savoured when visiting this prefecture. They are soft white cheeses, and the latter is almost difficult to find in the cities. On the meatier side Evrytania is known for its prosciutto, the only area in Greece that does so. If you're a fish eater you will delight in the trout served at the village of Gavros.

Lastly, many fruits and berries of the area are used to make spirit, such as the mulberry 'tsipouro' a liqueur that will warm you up quite well. There's also a local alcoholic spirit called 'mouro' for the adventurous drinkers.

There are hiking maps that document the hiking paths in all of Evrytania, including the E4 European hiking path. There are numerous other paths however that visitors can choose from to experience the uniqueness of this area and the virgin landscape.  The areas of Agrafa, Helidona, Kalliakouda, and Krenti are ideal for hiking or trekking. Exciting opportunities for river trekking can also be found in Evrytania by hiking on the banks of several rivers and crossing streams. This is best done in summer and doesn't require too much experience.

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Megalo Horio
A little before entering Megalo Horio we encounter the beautiful locale of Ai-Thanassi with the chapel of the same name. The village consists of many small picturesque streets and has a great deal of tourist activity. A museum of Folk Art is open there. At the border with Aniada village is Lakkomata area in which there is a monument to the battle of Kaliakouda (28-8-1823). Another worthwhile route for hiking or driving is the one which leads to the refuge of Kaliakouda. On foot from there we can either approach the high summit of Kaliakouda (elevation 2.101), Aniada village, or the Pantavrehi area.

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Tornos

Initiatives in the municipality of Tornos have created some decent sign-posted hiking paths and has designated them as follows:

Route A (Alpha): Hiking path of the rapids and waterfalls
Route B (Beta): Hiking path of the mountains
Route C (Gamma): The gorge of Tornos
Route D (Delta): Mikro Pantavrehi – high bridge
Route E (Epsilon): Hiking path of Koryfogrammis
Route F (Zita): Hiking path of Kastania
Route G (Eta): Hiking path of Palavogianni

Epiniana represents the most imposing spot of the mountain range with a view to the Agrafioti gorge, and is a great point to start climbing. A mountain climbing route of about 2 hours is from Epiniana tonFaraggi Asprorema (Asprorema Gorge) offering fabulous nature with rare fauna and flora. You might see wild trout in the riverbed. Also noteworthy for climbing in the gorge is the route from Anifora to Fteri.

Once in the area, do admire the Monastery (and historically a Secret School) of Panagia Stanas dating from 1550. The church of Agios Georgios in the village of Epiniana is another noteworthy monument of and dates from 1890. In the same region, the village of Trovato and its church of Agios Dimitrios, as well as the Monastery of Panagia from 1644 are worth a visit. Visit Karaiskaki Cave too.

Lastly, another important mountain climbing route is the Trovato - Fterousio - Giannitsari - Delidimi one (altitude 2154 meters).

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Lying at an altitude of 1,840 meters on Mount Timfristos, in an area known as Diavolotopos or Devil's Place, the ski centre of Karpenissi (or Velouchi) actually offers heavenly skiing over an extended winter season, with excellent quality of snow. This is one of the most important ski resorts in the country with facilities having been improved and renovated in recent years. Keep in mind that Evrytania is known as the 'Switzerland of Greece'.

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There are 11 ski runs or slopes over eight kilometres, ranging between 1,750 and 2,100 meters in altitude. Two of these ski runs are considered advanced, six intermediate, and three very easy. Four chair lifts and six ski lifts are capable of carrying over 5000 persons per hour. The season starts from the middle of December until the end of March. In addition, since this is not the closest resort to Athens or Thessaloniki, it doesn't get as crowded and remains outstanding in its serenity. Ski shops for equipment and ski courses are also available. There's a chalet with a bar and even outdoor bars, and weather during the day can remain balmy even in snowy weather. This is Greece, after all.

In the village of Roska (municipality of Domnitsa), the gorge of Pantavrechi has been dubbed one of the most beautiful and cleanest gorges in Europe. Technically this is not a gorge, just the narrowest part of the Krekelopotamos River which rushes through the area. While the gorge is barely 100 meters in length, it is a marvel of nature and biodiversity – a must-see spot for ecotourists. Springs and waterfalls and the sounds of flowing water can be heard all over the prefecture. Moss-covered rocks and unrecorded species of flora can be discovered here. Large waterfalls with rushing water form part of the beauty and ambiance in this area, complete with ponds at the bottom, encouraging the rich biodiversity in fauna and flora.

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At the mountainous and semi-mountainous elevations you may come across the hare or hedgehog, squirrel or snow-mouse, ferret or weasel. Be on the lookout for the occasional wild goat, otter, fox, deer, wild boar, wild cat and wolf, to name just a few.

Pixabay, Pixel-mixer

Here are some of the rarer animals:

Wolf (Canis lupus)
Considered endangered and vulnerable in the Red Book of Endangered Species in Greece, the wolf prefers large, dense forests and frequents lower elevations only where these forests exist. It feeds on small animals and mammals. The wolf lives in families or herds of up to 15 members, and is given the hostile treatment by farmers as it can attack livestock. Evrytania is actually the southern border of its habitat.

Deer (Capreolus capreolus)
Preferring broadleaf and mixed forests that are not as dense, the deer avoides dense forests and lives in small groups. It is also classified as vulnerable in Greece according to the Red Book, and is under threat from the wolf but also from poaching.

Pixabay, stevepb

Wild boar (Sus scrofa)
Living also in mountainous areas, the wild boar can be found around oak, chestnut and beech forests near crops. It also lives in family groups and its main enemy is the wolf. In certain areas it is illegal to hunt the wild boar as its numbers have declined.

Pixabay, zoosnow

Wild goat (Rupicapra rupicapra)
The wild goat likes high altitudes, particularly broadleaf and coniferous forests with steep cliffs. It lives in small herds and is included in the Red Book of Endangered Species, classified as 'Rare'. Consequently, hunting the wild goat is considered illegal.

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Wild cat (Felis silvestris)
Amiable to dense, large forests and woodlands faraway from human presence, the wild cat feeds on small mammals (rodents and rabbits) as well as birds. It is also designated as an endangered species in the Red Book.

Pixabay, Pixel-mixer

Yellow-Bellied Toad (Bombina variegate)
This toad loves ponds and streams and is common in the Balkans, with the southern border of its territory being the Krikelopotamos river in Evritania.