Lake Ziros
Near Filippiada, municipality of Ziros (40 km / about 50 minutes from Preveza)
A small, deep lake in the woods near Filippiada, formed when the roof of a karst cave collapsed about 10,000 years ago. A walking trail in protected woods, 50 minutes from Preveza.
About Lake Ziros
Lake Ziros lies in a wooded hollow about 2 km west of the old Arta–Ioannina road, near Filippiada, about 40 km (50 minutes) from Preveza. It is roughly 900 m long and 600 m wide, but deep: a 1997 survey measured 70 m at its deepest point. Geologists think it was once a cave lake whose roof collapsed about 10,000 years ago, and its water is linked to the same underground water as the nearby Louros river. The north shore drops straight into deep water off the rocks, while the south shore fades into a shallow sandy edge. The name is Slavic in origin and simply means "lake".
People lived around here in prehistoric times: stone tools have been found on the Kokkinopilos hill to the north and in the Asprochaliko rock shelter, about 1 km away. In 1947-1949 Swiss architects built a children's town on the shore for orphans of the Second World War and the Civil War, with the International Red Cross; it ran until 1975. Since 2009 its old buildings house the Filippiada Environmental Education Centre.
The lake is part of the Natura 2000 network. A circular walking trail climbs the hill above the water (volunteers cleared it again in 2016), and a café-restaurant built by the municipality opened on the west shore in 2004. A local legend tells of a rich sister whose house sank into the earth to form the lake, and a poor sister turned to stone with her donkey as she looked back: the big rock east of the lake.
Good to know
- Swimming is not a good idea: the lake is deep, fresh water holds you up less than the sea, and in 2010 a toxic bloom led experts to advise against swimming and fishing.
- Walk the circular trail over the hill for the view of the water.
- Combine it with the Roman aqueduct at Agios Georgios on the Louros, a few kilometres away.
Help keep it unspoiled: take your rubbish with you, never light fires outdoors in summer, and respect wildlife and local life. How to travel responsibly
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Where is Lake Ziros?
In the woods near Filippiada, about 2 km west of the old Arta–Ioannina road. It is about 40 km (50 minutes) by car from Preveza.
Can you swim in Lake Ziros?
It is better not to. The lake is up to 70 m deep, fresh water is less buoyant than the sea, and after a toxic algal bloom in 2010 experts advised against swimming and fishing.
What is there to do at Lake Ziros?
Walk the circular trail on the hill above the lake and see the buildings of the old children's town, now an environmental education centre. A café-restaurant opened on the west shore in 2004.
Last updated 21 October 2026. Information checked against el.wikipedia.org. Spotted something out of date? Use “Suggest a place” in the footer.
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