Balkan Chamois Conference
In the Shadow of Greece’s Wildest Peaks
Konitsa, Greece,
25-27 June 2026
Pindos Perivallontiki, the Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory (Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina), the Balkan Chamois Society, and the Hellenic Mountain Observatory are pleased to invite you to the International Balkan Chamois Conference.
It will take place from 25 to 27 June 2026 in Konitsa, Greece, within the Vikos–Aoos UNESCO Global Geopark.
The conference is organized within the framework of the project “CHAMOIS II: Enhancing Connectivity for the Balkan Chamois in Northwestern Greece” and is endorsed by the IUCN Caprinae Specialist Group.
Organizers
Project funding
Sponsors and supporters
Overview
The Conference will serve as a forum for sharing international scientific knowledge and experience related to Balkan chamois. It aims to promote the dissemination of the most current research findings, support evidence-based conservation strategies, and encourage the sustainable management of chamois populations across their native ranges.
The event will bring together scientists, conservation practitioners, protected area representatives, and stakeholders working on Balkan chamois conservation and mountain biodiversity across the Balkans and Europe. It will encourage networking and the development of future collaborative initiatives across the Balkans.
We extend a cordial invitation to students, early-career researchers, chamois experts, wildlife managers, field practitioners and policymakers to participate.
We look forward to welcoming you to Konitsa!
List of topics
National Overviews
Genetics and Systematics
Physiology and Disease
Behaviour and Ecology
Conservation and Management
Human–Wildlife Interactions
Other topics
Venue
Venue map
The venue is Konitsa Town Hall [2], just a 3-minute walk from Konitsa central square [1].
Lunch will be offered for attendees on 25 and 26 June.
[1] Central square of Konitsa: Coordinates: 40.0491, 20.7508
[1] Bus station: Coordinates: 40.0495, 20.7502
[2] Venue: Konitsa Town Hall: Coordinates: 40.0479, 20.7516
[3] Student hostel . Coordinates: 40,049103; 20,743653
Konitsa town
Konitsa is located in NW Greece, in Epirus region, in the shadow of the mountain Trapezitsa (2022m), offering a splendid view of Aoos river, one of the last free-flowing rivers in Europe.
Inhabited since 2000 BC, it has a long history and served as an economic and cultural center during the Ottoman period, bearing today the signs of ancient civilizations and their old glory. At the entrance to Aoos Gorge stands the famous Konitsa stone bridge, measuring 30 m in length and 20 m in height, and perhaps the largest stone bridge in the Balkans. It was built in 1871 by 50 local workers with donations from the residents and is the symbol of the city.
Located at the border of Pindos National Park, Konitsa is nowadays a pole of attraction for hikers, serving as a starting point for mountaineering expeditions in the Greek wilderness: Grammos (2500 m), Smolikas (2640 m), Tymphi (2497m) and Nemertsika mountains. It receives many visitors, who enjoy the unique landscape, local products, and the architecture of the city’s old neighborhoods and its 42 villages. There is a long tradition in adventure tourism, and particularly so for kayaking and rafting on the Aoos River. All facilities are available in Konitsa, including a bus station, a medical center, shops and restaurants.
CONFERENCE organization
The Balkan Chamois Conference is organized by Πίνδος Περιβαλλοντική, the University of Ioannina (BCL – Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory of the Department of Biological Applications and Technology), the Balkan Chamois Society, and the Hellenic Mountain Observatory.
Organizing Committee
Συνδιοργάνωση:: Haritakis Papaioannou (Balkan Chamois Society & Pindos Perivallontiki, Greece)
Members:
Maria Petridou (University of Ioannina, Greece)
Clara Puech (Pindos Perivallontiki)
Melitini Androulaki (Pindos Perivallontiki, Greece)
Scientific Committee
Haritakis Papaioannou (Balkan Chamois Society & Pindos Perivallontiki, Greece)
Maria Petridou (University of Ioannina, Greece)
Vassiliki Kati (University of Ioannina, Greece)
SHORT program
Day 1
8.30-9:30 Registration
9:45-10:00 Opening remarks
10:00 Plenary lectures
11:00-13:30 Morning session (with coffee break)
13:30-15:30 Lunch break
15:30-19.00 Afternoon session (with coffee break)
Day 2
9:00-13:30 Morning session (with coffee break)
13:30-15:30 Lunch break
15:30-18:00 Afternoon session (with coffee break)
18:00-19:00 Discussion and conclusion
Day 3
Conference Excursion
07:00 Departure from Konitsa
19:00 Return to Konitsa
Guided field excursion to Balkan chamois habitat (Tymfi). Participation is limited to registered conference attendees and places are subject to availability
Funding and support
- With the endorsement of the IUCN/Caprinae Specialist Group
- Conference funded by the Hellenic Green Fund
- Hosted by the Municipality of Konitsa
- Institutional sponsors: Vikos–Aoos UNESCO Global Geopark and Epirus S.A.
- Sponsors: Fifth Element, Arrena Mineral Natural Water
- CHAMOIS II project funded by the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT) and the A. G. Leventis Foundation
Useful info
Travel to Konitsa
You should first reach Ioannina city. There is no train connection in Epirus region. Three bus itineraries per day connect Ioannina to Konitsa (approximately 60 minutes). See Ioannina-Konitsa και Konitsa-Ioannina. We most probably allow a bus for the departure date. Let’s see now how to reach Ioannina.
- You can take a flight to Ioannina (King Pyrros Airport), which is connected to international airports via Athens. This is the most direct option, but it is usually expensive.
- You can take a flight to Athens Airport (El. Venizelos) and then reach Ioannina by bus (416 km, approximately 4.5 hours).
- You can take a flight to Thessaloniki airport “Makedonia” (SKG) and then take a bus to Ioannina (261 km, ~3h)
- You can take a flight to Preveza International Airport (Aktion village), which offers relatively inexpensive international charter flights during the summer. You should then book a bus for your transfer to Ioannina (113 km).
- You can take a flight to Corfu island, towards the Corfu International airport “Ioannins Kapodistrias”, equally offering cheaper charter summer flights, but it involves traveling by boat (~1.30 h) and then by bus to Ioannina (Igoumenitsa Port-Ioannina: 78km)
Ioannina Airport “King Pyrros”: https://ioanninaairport.eu/
Athens Airport “Venizelos: (ATH): https://www.athens-airport.info/
Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia” (SKG): https://www.skg-airport.gr/en
Preveza International Airport (Aktion): https://www.pvk-airport.gr/en/
Corfu Airport (CFU): https://www.cfu-airport.gr/en
Athens Bus station (http://ktelattikis.gr/en/)
Thessaloniki Bus station (https://ktelthes.gr/en/)
Ioannina Bus station https://ktelioannina.gr/en/
Olympic Airways (www.OlympicAir.com)
Aegean Airlines (www.aegeanair.com)
Taxi Konitsa: εδώ
Taxiplon Ioannina: εδώ
Car rental Ioannina: εδώ
Food
Around the central square of Konitsa, you’ll find a mix of local eateries—mostly casual, meat-focused, and full of traditional flavor.
For the two main conference days (June 25–26), lunch is offered to the attendees.
Cash or card?
Visa and bank cards are used all over the country. However, it is advisable to have also cash with you, as in some local shops cash is the more popular payment method.
Holidays in Greece?
If you wish to combine the conference with holidays, of course, Konitsa is a popular touristic destination at that time of the year, offering many options to prolong your holidays in the mountains.
You can visit Smolikas mountain (see Smolikas Refuge), or Timfi mountain (See Astraka Mountain Hut) and their famous Dragon Lakes above 2000 m. You can also visit Mastorochoria, the nearby Zagori, or the lovely Amarandos thermal center, but it’s recommended to rent a car to fully explore the area’s beauty.
If you would like holidays near the beach, explore the beautiful Greek western coasts of Parga, Preveza, Syvota (90-130km from Ioannina), but also the beautiful Ionian islands of Corfu, Paxoi, Lefkada.
Want to learn more about Northern Pindos National Park? Check εδώ
See a panorama of landscapes in Vikos-Aoos Global UNESCO Geopark εδώ
A video spot for Konitsa εδώ
CONTACT
Contact us for any help and support.
E-mail: pinper@otenet.gr
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