Walk through the Agios Achileos bird sanctuary

Taking the floating footbridge and walking around the island of Agios Achilleos is well worth the detour. You’ll have the chance to spot many different species of birds, including pelicans and egrets, cormorants, moorhens and swans…

The contrast between the island’s greenery and the much drier mountains is striking.

We recommend using the binoculars set up on the hill next to the car park: from there, you can see large wetlands.

There are also binoculars set up on the island, 100 metres from the church, on the island’s first hilltop.

Details

n°109446431

Creation:
yesterday

Last update:
today

Last review:
–

Activity: Walking
Distance: 2.55 mi
Average duration: 1h 25
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: No
Ascent: + 308 ft
Descent: - 279 ft
Highest point: 3,035 ft
Lowest point: 2,772 ft

Country: Greece
Start: N 40.794158° / E 21.073866°
End: N 40.788651° / E 21.078705°
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Description of the walk

Little Lake Prespa is a bird sanctuary that is home to half of the bird species recorded in Greece.

A floating footbridge has been installed between the car park and the island. It’s well worth a look.

(S) From the car park, take the floating footbridge to the island of Agios Achilleos. Follow the path to the ancient 10th-century basilica (1).

Continue along the path round the island. At (2) (roughly located, from memory), you can either head towards the old Monastery of the Virgin Mary (3) or towards the cross (4).

The climb up to the cross (4) is well worth a look.

For the return journey, you can either go via the ridges or follow the path along the western shore if the water level in the lake is low enough.

If you decide to stop off at the inn (E), you’ll receive a warm welcome. Don’t miss the Gigantes beans grown in the fields along the surrounding banks, and the local peppers. Alternatively, you can take the footbridge back to the car park.

Do feel free to climb the hill near the car park. You’ll be able to spot plenty of birds in the reed beds, and the telescope installed at the top is very handy.