The Pindos National Park, which includes the renowned Valia Calda (Hot Valley), was established in 1966 to protect the perennial Balkan pines that are over seven hundred years old, the black pine, the bear, the otter, the wolf, the wild goat and, more generally, the rich flora and fauna of the region. The core of the National Park covers an area of 33,600 square kilometres and comprises Valia Calda (1,200m) and the slopes of the surrounding peaks, Flegga (2,159m), Aftia (2,082m), and Avgo (2,177m). The three small rivers which have their springs in the National Park, Valia Calda, Flegga, and Arkoudorema, form river Aoos.