Vlachostrata is a multi-day traverse from Pyli towards the mountain villages, following old routes once used by people and herds.
The name of the trail is a compound word and comes from the Vlachs’ road. The Vlachs were, for the most part, livestock breeders. During the summer months they lived in the higher mountain areas of Pindos, while in winter they descended to the winter pastures in the plains of Thessaly. The routes they followed were many, the so-called Vlachostrates. One of them is this route, which starts from Pyli (Porta) and reaches the mountains, passing through several villages. Moving the herds along this route took two to three days, starting from Trikala and reaching the Vlach villages.
The route starts from Pyli, crossing the suspension footbridge towards the settlement of Porta Panagia. From Porta Panagia onwards, the old cobbled path is preserved; it reaches the bridge of Agios Vissarion and continues towards the village of Kotroni. The trail passes along the characteristic ridge called Paratiritirio, with very good views towards the Pyli narrows, and continues towards Kotroni. Before Kotroni, the road built later destroyed the old cobbled path. Following the road, the route reaches Kotroni and, at the entrance to the village at Platania (Agia Paraskevi), climbs uphill. After passing several farmhouses, it ends above Elati and descends towards it. From Elati it continues towards the settlement of Vlacha and the plateaus of Korp. At Korp the route disappears into dense forests and, following the forest road, passes Geladaria and Xylogefyro and reaches the best-preserved section of Vlachostrata, below Neraidochori. This section is also the most interesting, as the trail is built next to the gorge. Shortly before Neraidochori it passes the 17th-century arched bridge of Chatzipetros, crosses the lower part of the village and heads towards Pyrra, following the forest road that was built over the old Vlachostrata. Unfortunately, after Pyrra the route has been destroyed and is difficult to follow.