Nyala Pass: this road is not for timid drivers
Nyala Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.868m (6,128ft) above the sea level, located in Karditsa regional unit, in western Thessaly in mainland Greece. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Set high at the southernmost part of the Pindus range, the road to the summit, also known as Niala Pass, is totally unpaved and narrow. If you're afraid of heights, it's probably best to keep your eyes forward. It isn't recommended that you head in alone. The road to the summit is very steep, hitting a 20% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at Agrafa, the ascent is 18km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 1.006 meters. The average gradient is 5.58%. Agrafa is an old village with a very difficult road to go there. Beyond the pass, a defiant road reaches Plastira Lake.
Near the summit there’s a Civil war monument. According to historical sources, the Anglo-American authorities and the Government Army wanted to permanently crush the Democratic Army of Greece, in the area of Agrafa. The burden was borne by three well-equipped Brigades from Arta, Karpenisi and Karditsa. In the area of Agrafa, small groups of guerrillas were active, as well as Sofianos' battalion. The first fierce battles between the Government army, the guerrillas and the Democratic Army took place in the area of Lake Plastira and in the mountains of Agrafa. In order to escape the siege, Sofianos' battalion and hundreds of persecuted citizens decided to proceed to Saika and Karoplesi and from there they would reach the area of Voulgara, where the Thessaly Headquarters of the D.S.E. was located. Their task was difficult, because they had to cross the windswept mountains of the Niala, at an altitude. over 2,000 m. The guerrilla group started on April 11, 1947 for the long march. From their first steps, bad weather broke out and their course became more and more difficult, because the snow began to fall densely and the cold became more and more severe. The result was that guerrillas and civilians began to fall dead, others due to the snowstorm and others slipped and fell into the dark gorges. The first victims were women and children.
Road suggested by: Makis Pouloudis (https://ilovestickers.gr)