Eighteen kilometers out of Trikala towards Arta, the gorgeous town of Pyli (former Porta or Porta-Pazar) is located. It is at the entry of the flat region of Thessaly towards the mountains of Pindos. Its name derives from the two opposite mountains Koziakas and Itamos that are separated by the Portaikos River and form a natural gate. It presents particular interest as it is in the center of important Byzantine and post Byzantine monuments, but also because it constitutes a passage for the picturesque mountainous villages of Trikala.

Leaving behind this unique passage and crossing the bridge Kondyli while ascending the banks of Koziaka, after 14km the first settlement, Elati, is encountered. Elati or Tyrna-the old name of the village in 1955-is built at 900m altitude and even if it is surrounded from the top of Psilos, Arkoudotripa and Kokkinos Brachos it is accessible throught the year. Its rare natural beauty in combination with the hospitable atmosphere of the village, the abundant snow in winter and the cool and healthy climate in summer, Elati constitutes one of the most developed resorts of the region.

The Ski Centre of Pertouli is between Elati and Pertouli, a splendid tourist Ski centre that since it is close to the near villages of the region, it gathers a lot of Skiers.

At altitude 1.150m and 15 kilometers from Elati we encounter Pertouli. It is one of the oldest villages of Thessaly, built amphitheatrically on the slope of the mountain, with picturesque stone houses with red or stone roofs. The village distinguishes for its splendid nature and Fir Forest. The forest of Pertouli is one of the most beautiful and well preserved in Greece.

At altitude 1.140m the over populated Neraidochori is situated, known as Veternik, and with the red roofs of the houses it reminds a resort of Alps. It is surrounded by the peaks of Loypata, Neraida with the incredible view and Marosa, where someone can enjoy the view of the villages of Mesochora, the lake of Megdoba in Karditsa and the Thesssalian plain.

It’s worth seeing:

• The stone arched bridge over Portaikos built in 1.514 A.D from Saint Bissarion, 1klm, west from Pyli.
• Opposite the settlement of Porta-Panagia the homonym named Byzantine temple that is dated back to the years of Anna Komninis (1283 A.D). Also, the Holy Temples of Dousikou and the Dormition of the Mother of God of Gkoura are remarkable in Pyli.
• The cavern in Arkoudotrypa, as well as, the location with the stalactites at the limits of Pialeia.
• The unique in beauty meadows of Pertoyli.
• The splendid springs of Kanalia, Kalogeromantri, Goubes, Itamos, Arvanites of the region of Elati.
• The shelter “Chatzipetros” under the tallest peak of Koziakas.
• The beautiful natural springs of Theocharis and Karakitsios in Gkoura.
• The forests full of fir and the mountainous torrents Kamiaiti and Kakorema with the constructed path that forms a small gorge.
• The temples of Saint Nicholas and Saint Paraskevi in Neraidochori.