Riding cyclocross in Valia Kalda

Valia Kalda National Park is one of the most remote places in Greece. It is 7000 ectares and 3300 of it is its core the famous Valia Kalda, home to a vast variety of animals and different kinds of forests. Situated north of Ioannina close to the border with Albania it has a river called Aoos running through it and several great mountains round it. Smoligas, Flega, Mavronouni, Avgo et al. This summer we traveled there to ride some cyclocross trails, visit Yiannis’ homeland and generally discover the area’s capacity for CX and road rides.

We were stunned by the beauty of the place, its size and remoteness really leaves you in awe. Great people and good food.

There is astonishing infrastructure to accomodate any type of outdoor activity in the National Park, a large network if country roads, some of them quite rough for anything under 35 on tyres but mostly fun and some of the nicely paved trails can give good pace for climbing a mountain on a cross bike which is totally rad! Not to mention going down on them…. If you get the chance go and visit/ride there.