{"id":119181,"date":"2026-06-25T11:23:21","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T08:23:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/be-water-water-as-the-soul-of-zagori-and-epirus\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T12:44:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T09:44:17","slug":"be-water-water-as-the-soul-of-zagori-and-epirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/be-water-water-as-the-soul-of-zagori-and-epirus\/","title":{"rendered":"BE WATER \u2013 Water as the Soul of Zagori and Epirus"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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If there is one element that has shaped the landscape, history, and life of Zagori<\/strong> more than any other, it is water<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

From the peaks of Mount Tymfi to the Vikos Gorge, and from alpine lakes to the stone fountains of the villages, water is everywhere<\/strong>. For thousands of years, it has carved the mountains, created ecosystems of exceptional value, and sustained people, wildlife, and forests.<\/p>\n

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The iconic Dragon Lake (Drakolimni)<\/strong> of Tymfi, located at an altitude of approximately 2,050 meters, is one of Greece\u2019s most remarkable aquatic landscapes. According to local legend, dragons once lived there and fought one another by hurling rocks from opposing peaks. Today, its tranquil waters reflect the summits of the Pindus Mountains and stand as a symbol of Zagori\u2019s untamed beauty.<\/p>\n

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A little lower down, the famous Rogovo Pools (Ovires Rogovou)<\/strong> in Mikro Papigo form a sequence of natural pools and waterfalls, sculpted into limestone by the enduring power of water. They are perhaps the most characteristic example of how water transforms the landscape through patience and persistence.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

At the heart of the Vikos\u2013Aoos National Park<\/strong> lie the springs of the Voidomatis River<\/strong>, considered one of the cleanest rivers in Europe. Its waters maintain an almost constant temperature throughout the year, around 4\u00b0C, as they originate from the underground karst systems of Mount Tymfi. Its crystal-clear waters are so transparent that the riverbed can often be seen even at considerable depths.<\/p>\n

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The Aoos River<\/strong> is also born in this region. It is one of Europe\u2019s last great rivers that still retains much of its natural character. Rising from the slopes of the Pindus Mountains, it flows through Epirus and continues into Albania, connecting ecosystems, communities, and cultures. Its springs and tributaries form an invaluable part of the region\u2019s water wealth.<\/p>\n

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Yet water in Zagori is not found only in rivers and lakes. It is present in the countless natural springs and historic fountains<\/strong> scattered throughout the villages and mountain trails. Built by the same master stonemasons who created the region\u2019s famous stone bridges, these fountains served for centuries as places of gathering, rest, and daily life. Each spring has its own story and its own name, linking the natural landscape with the cultural heritage of the area.<\/p>\n

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Epirus is rightly considered one of Greece\u2019s most important “reservoirs” of fresh water<\/strong>. The Pindus mountain range acts as a vast natural collector of rain and snow, feeding countless springs, streams, and rivers. A significant portion of the surface and underground waters that reach other regions of the country begin their journey in these mountains. It is no exaggeration to say that Epirus is one of Greece\u2019s most important water providers<\/strong>, offering a natural resource of immeasurable value.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Water never follows the easiest path. It always finds its own way. It flows between rocks, carves gorges, fills lakes, and brings life wherever everything else seems still. Gentle yet unstoppable, it reminds us that true strength often lies in adaptation, patience, and continuous movement.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Every runner who takes part in Zagori Mountain Running<\/strong> follows, perhaps without realizing it, the same route that water has followed for centuries. Water is the invisible guide of every course, the force that connects the peaks of Mount Tymfi with the villages, trails, and people of this land. And just as water is the most precious natural resource of Epirus, its protection is a responsibility shared by all of us, so that the rivers, springs, and ecosystems that sustain life may remain vibrant for generations to come.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

So, for 2026:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Be Water. <\/strong>Move. Adapt. Persist. Keep going\u2014just as water has done in the mountains of Epirus for thousands of years.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Be Water.<\/strong>
Wild and serene.
Like Zagori.
Like Epirus.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If there is one element that has shaped the landscape, history, and life of Zagori more than any other, it is water. From the peaks of Mount Tymfi to the Vikos Gorge, and from alpine lakes to the stone fountains of the villages, water is everywhere. For thousands of years, it has carved the mountains, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":119253,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-119181","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119181","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=119181"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119181\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":119182,"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119181\/revisions\/119182"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/119253"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=119181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=119181"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=119181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}