Greece · Epirus, Souli · Premium route guide
Plakoti Pass, Epirus
The old road over the hills, with views over the Kalamas river. 28 km of quiet asphalt from the Neraida junction up to Plakoti and down to the single-arch stone bridge at Vrosina.
- Distance
- 28 km
- Peak elevation
- 667 m
- Elevation gain
- 637 m
- Best months
- All year
The route
One of three passes in the Municipality of Souli officially registered by the Hellenic Motorcycle Federation (MOT.O.E.). It carries national register number 3.
The route starts at the junction of the national road to Paramythia with the national road to Ioannina, near the village of Neraida, and climbs gradually to Plakoti on the old road alignment.
Works with Garmin, TomTom, BMW Navigator, Calimoto, Kurviger, komoot, MyRouteApp. Import as a track to ride the exact line. Road data from OpenStreetMap (ODbL); elevation from SRTM.
Track vs. route, how to load this into your GPS
What you are downloading is a GPX track, a dense, road-snapped breadcrumb of the exact line, with elevation on every point. It is not a GPX route (a short list of turn waypoints your device re-plans between). Tracks preserve our road choice; routes let the device pick its own way and can send you down a boring motorway shortcut.
How to use it on your navigator:
- BMW Navigator / Garmin Zumo / zumo XT: import as a track, then Convert to Route (or Trip Planner, new trip from track) if you want turn by turn prompts. Keep Recalculation off so it stays on our line.
- TomTom Rider: import the GPX in MyDrive, it loads as a track / itinerary. Enable Follow the exact route so it does not re-plan.
- Calimoto: open the GPX and choose Import as tour, Calimoto follows the track line.
- Kurviger / komoot / MyRouteApp: open the GPX and pick Import as track to keep the road choice. Only choose Import as route if you want the app to re-plan for your bike profile.
- Google Maps / Apple Maps: these do not read GPX. Use the map on this page for turn cues, or import the file into a GPX capable app first.
Rule of thumb: if your device asks "track or route?", pick track to ride our exact line, pick route only if you want the device to re-plan.
Elevation profile
From ~46 m at the base to 667 m at the top, 637 m of total climbing across the route.
From the low ground the road climbs steadily towards Plakoti. The old alignment gives a different kind of mountain riding, through a landscape that changes as you gain height, with views over the Kalamas valley.
The route ends at Vrosina, close to the Kalamas river, where you will find a characteristic single-arch stone bridge, another fine example of the traditional architecture of the area.
Ride it responsibly
The Municipality of Souli has published a guide to responsible riding on its motorcycle passes. Keep to the tarmac and respect the villages. Links: [Souli motorcycle tourism](https://www.dimossouliou.gov.gr/motosykletistikos-tourismos/).
What to see along the way
- Plakoti - The high point of the pass at about 630 m, with views over the Kalamas.
- Vrosina stone bridge - Single-arch stone bridge near the Kalamas river, at the end of the route.
Official pass facts
Recognised by the Hellenic Motorcycle Federation (MOT.O.E.), the body that manages Greece's national register of motorcycle passes and routes.
- Pass altitude
- 630 m
- Altitude class
- Low altitude (400 to 700 m)
- Character
- Scenic, cultural interest
- Season
- Open all year
- Medical access
- Health unit within 1 hour
- Surface
- 100% asphalt
- Start / finish altitude
- 47 m / 96 m
- Min / max altitude
- 47 m / 670 m
Useful phone numbers
- Municipality of Souli (contact) 2666360143
- Police station 2666022222
- Fire service 2666522199
- Health centre 2666360000 2666022124
- Forest service 2665022241
- OFYPEKA protected areas unit 2665021319
European emergency number: 112.
Rent a bike
Rent a motorcycle or scooter for Plakoti Pass, Epirus
Flying in? Pick up a bike near the start of the route. We've pre-filled the pick-up city with Paramythia - change it if you're basing elsewhere.
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