Chelmos-Vouraikos UNESCO Global Geopark
The Chelmos-Vouraikos UNESCO Global Geopark is a protected area in northern Peloponnese, Greece. It combines important geology, landscapes and cultural sites. The park spans parts of the Achaea and Korinthia prefectures and includes the Chelmos Mountains and the Vouraikos Gorge, with rivers and lakes.
The Geopark covers about 654 square kilometers, includes 62 municipalities and has around 27,125 residents. Inside its borders are five Natura 2000 protected areas. The Geopark is managed by the Chelmos-Vouraikos Management Body based in Kalavryta. It was created in 2002 and staffed in 2007. Since 2009, it has been part of the European and Global Geoparks networks and the Hellenic Geopark Forum. It became a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2015 and earned the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in 2016.
The management body is a private-law organization supervised by the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy. Its responsibilities include conserving geology and biodiversity, running environmental education programs, and organizing guided tours, all in cooperation with many partners. The staff includes scientists, a forester, rangers, and administrative and advisory roles.
The Geopark is known for its remarkable geological heritage. Notable features include sinkholes like Ladon’s Eye and the Cave of Lakes in the Amolinitsa mountains. Much of the area is limestone with strong karst features, and the region contains a range of rock types and geologic formations, spanning several geological periods and tectonic zones.
Biodiversity is rich because of the varied landscapes and abundant water. The Geopark hosts more than 1,100 plant species, including many endemics (plants found only in this region or in Greece). An example is Globularia stygia, linked to Chelmos. Animal life is also diverse: dozens of invertebrates, four fish (including endemics), nine amphibians, 23 reptiles (nine endemics), 18 mammals, and about 149 bird species. Alpine butterflies are common, and the Cave of the Lakes hosts a large winter bat colony of around 18,000 animals.
People have long lived here and use the land for farming (olives, tomatoes, lemons), honey production, and livestock (sheep, goats, cattle). Fishing is growing in Planitero and Krathis, and trout and salmon farming is present. Forestry supports wood supply, and local crafts and processing add to the economy. Tourism is important thanks to attractions like the Cave of the Lakes, the Aroanios river springs at Planitero, the Vouraikos Gorge, and the Kalavrita ski center in winter.
The Geopark faces challenges such as pollution, waste, land-use changes, road construction, irrigation, fertilizers, grazing, illegal logging, forest fires and issues with forest management.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 09:48 (CET).