Kataras Pass, Greece: It Means Curse

We knew it was going to be a big day, so we were up at dawn and wheeling out of the campground in Meteora by 7:30 in the morning.  It was a gift of 10 level kilometers before starting to climb.  We assumed the uphill riding position and tempo, and maintained it for the next six hours, for an elevation gain of nearly 5,200 feet. 

It was bright and clear morning for our climb.  Kataras Pass is to the right of the photo. 

There were two options for getting over the pass.  One was a toll road, the Egnatia Odos, which actually traverses a lower elevation through a series of tunnels.  But since we already tried to ride a toll road in Greece and were escorted off, we assumed this was not an option.  So we headed to Greek National Road 6, but when we got to the intersection to start on it, there was just a red shield and a barricade on one half of the road.  No signs indicating if it was passable, so we went forged ahead.

A few rocks in the road...not a problem for a bicycle.

As we climbed higher we had views of the Egnatia Odos below.  An internet search tells us this section was opened in 2005, and the road we chose to take was abandoned in 2011.

Near the top is deep forest of spruce and fir.

Only a little bit of snow to slow us down.  We had a little bit of help from ruts carved by a wayward car.

At this point I could have made a few snow angels to cool down. The pass is 1,705 meters (5,594 feet) high, but snow still was around on the north-facing aspects.

At the pass -- victorious!  We later learned that Kataras means curse in Greek.  But we were pretty darn lucky to have excellent weather and to be fueled and rested before starting up.  Other than a couple of shepherds early on, we had the road to ourselves.  And the thrill of discovery and making the pass -- certainly a blessing and not a curse!

Once over, we were still on the closed section of highway, with eerily abandoned gas stations and restaurants, and this snow removal station.

Our goal for the night was to the town of Metsovo, clinging to the mountainside.

Metsovo is a winter town, and there are three ski areas in the vicinity.  We passed by this one on our descent, a bunny hill, really. 

It is the off season in the town, so we found a nice hotel with beautiful wood trim and breakfast, for 35 Euros.  It was a short walk to the grocery store, where dinner and wine were acquired.  Please note, it was not long after we were deep asleep.

The descent continued the next morning, where our road and the toll road came together again.

And water flowed downhill, just like us.

On occasion we meet a torotise, like this one crossing the road.  Finally, something travelling slower than us.  John helped this one to the other side out of the path of high-speed Greek drivers,

Where the descent finally ended, at a large resvoir near Ioannina.

Our last campsite in Greece was a in an abandoned quarry, a strange bucket list item of mine.  It was quietest we have had in the nearly four weeks we have been in Greece -- no traffic noise, no barking dogs, and just the faintest of bells from a faraway goat.