Greece · Epirus, Souli · Premium route guide
Souli - Acheron Pass, Epirus
A short, historic climb recognised by the Hellenic Motorcycle Federation. From the crystal water of the Acheron at Glyki you climb 22 km of tarmac to the wells and council house of the Souliotes, with the Kiafa castle above you.
- Distance
- 22 km
- Peak elevation
- 609 m
- Elevation gain
- 1,017 m
- Best months
- All year
The route
This is one of three passes in the Municipality of Souli that are officially registered by the Hellenic Motorcycle Federation (MOT.O.E.), the body that runs the national register of motorcycle passes and routes. It carries national register number 2.
The route starts at the Acheron river in the village of Glyki and climbs for about 22 km on 100% asphalt, from 50 m to 610 m.
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 ~48 m at the base to 609 m at the top, 1,017 m of total climbing across the route.
About 5.5 km after the start, at roughly 440 m, there is a stop and viewpoint looking into the Acheron gorge and towards historic Souli.
The road carries on through mountain landscape and, at around km 18, reaches the historic site of Souli, with the Wells and the Council House of the Souliotes, a place bound to the Greek War of Independence.
At the end, under the plane trees where, according to tradition, the fighters of Souli rested, you can continue the climb on foot to the Kiafa castle, one of the most important monuments 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, respect the villages and protected areas, and carry water in summer. Links: [Souli motorcycle tourism](https://www.dimossouliou.gov.gr/motosykletistikos-tourismos/).
What to see along the way
- Acheron springs, Glyki - The mythical river of the underworld, with boat trips and walks in the water.
- Acheron gorge viewpoint - At about km 5.5 and 440 m, the best view of the gorge.
- Wells and Council House of the Souliotes - The historic heart of Souli, at around km 18.
- Kiafa castle - Short climb from the end of the road, above the plane trees.
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
- 440 m
- Altitude class
- Low altitude (400 to 700 m)
- Character
- Historic, scenic, cultural interest
- Season
- Open all year
- Medical access
- Health unit within 1 hour
- Surface
- 100% asphalt
- Start / finish altitude
- 50 m / 610 m
- Min / max altitude
- 50 m / 610 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.
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Rent a motorcycle or scooter for Souli - Acheron 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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