The Best Canyoning Adventures in Greece
Greece is more than sun and sea. It’s a canyoning paradise waiting to be explored. From the rugged gorges of Crete to the lush ravines of mainland Epirus, Greece’s wild heart beats loudest where water and rock collide.
Smaller or larger gorges and narrows, rivers and waterfalls, and hills and lakes are all equally admired by their visitors who dare spend their time in Greece off the beaten track.
Canyoning is an exciting sport that combines hiking, climbing, descending rocks, crossing rivers, and swimming or even sliding down a waterfall. It has been gaining more and more fans over the years since canyoning actually focuses on the fun side of the sport and can be practiced by all regardless of age or skill level.
Tourists from around the world are canyoning on routes in various Greek gorges, while increasingly more Greeks have started hiking and scrambling to unexplored sights for an alternative approach to fun, relaxation, and exercise.
The geological features of Greece have resulted in unique gorges, hills, and cliffs, which may vary in size but are all as impressive as they can be, over the centuries. Here are some of the most praised and most visited gorges in Greece, which also offer organized canyoning routes for those tempted to try something more vigorous than plain hiking or walking.
Canyoning at Greece’s Vikos Gorge
The Vikos Gorge is located in the Pindus Mountains of Northern Greece. It lies on the southern slopes of Mount Tymfi, with a length of about 20 km, depth ranging from 450 m to 1,600 m, and width from 400 m to some meters at its narrowest part. Vikos is listed as the deepest gorge in the world by the Guinness World Records.
It also collects the waters of several small rivers and leads them into the Voidomatis River, which may be seasonal in most of its part but is favored by rafting enthusiasts.
There is a natural viewing platform over the deepest part of the gorge at Oxia, a location 3 km away from the village of Monodendri. Another viewpoint over the gorge is at Beloi, on the eastern side of the gorge, accessible from the village of Vradeto.
A hiking trail descends into the gorge from Monodendri. The trail then leads north through the gorge to the springs of the Voidomatis river, from where paths lead out of the gorge to the village of Papingo on the north side of the gorge, or to the village of Vikos on the south side of the gorge. It is also possible to hike south through the gorge from Monodendri to the 18th-century stone bridges near Kipi.
Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge is a National Park of Greece on the island of Crete, a major tourist attraction of the island, and a World Biosphere Reserve. The gorge is in southwestern Crete in the regional unit of Chania.
It was created by a small river running between the White Mountains (Lefká Óri) and Mt. Volakias. The gorge is 16 km long, starting at an altitude of 1,250 m at the northern entrance, and ending at the shores of the Libyan Sea in Agia Roumeli.
The most famous part of the gorge is the stretch known as the Gates (or, albeit incorrectly, as “Iron Gates”), where the sides of the gorge close in to a width of only four meters and soar up to a height of almost 300 meters (1,000 feet).
A must for visitors to Crete is to complete the walk down the gorge from the Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, at which point tourists sail to the nearby village of Hora Sfakion and catch a coach back to Chania. The walk takes five to seven hours and can be strenuous, especially at the peak of summer. There also exists a “lazy way” – from Agia Roumeli to the Gates, and back.
Canyoning in Greece’s Rindomo Gorge
This beautiful gorge on the western side of Taygetus Mountain in the prefecture of Messinia, Peloponnese, is rich in natural formations, such as cliffs, lush greenery, and rock deformation. This only adds to the overall scenery that takes aback its visitors.
Mountain and nature lovers can walk the impressive Kalderimia routes connecting the villages of Altomira and Pigadia to the gorge, while hiking here is at its best with the ravines and rocky elevations leading one step closer to nature. From the village of Gaitsa or Koskaraka (Koskarga) there is a small picturesque bridge accessing the gorge at the old road of Kalamata-Kambos, which is worth visiting.
Viniani in Evritania
The area around Nea Viniani offers several scenic routes perfect for hiking enthusiasts, nature lovers, and history buffs alike. Here are some of the most rewarding experiences:
Follow the old dirt path through unspoiled nature to the abandoned village of Palia. Wander through its charming alleys and cobblestone streets, frozen in time. Don’t miss the climb up to the chapel of Agios Georgios, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Tavropos River and the surrounding landscape.
This route leads to a beautiful stone bridge spanning the Tavropos River (also known as Megdovas). At the bridge, enjoy the serene scenery, watch the nearby waterfalls, and take a peaceful walk along the river.
Beyond hiking, the Tavropos River is ideal for outdoor sports such as canoeing, rafting, and river trekking. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline or tranquility, the river offers a unique way to experience the region’s stunning natural beauty.
Canyoning adventures at Calypso Gorge, Central Greece
A beautiful hike in the lush green gorge east of Kissavos Mountain in Central Greece.
The Calypso Gorge, located above the Kokkinos Nero area, is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the area. The dense vegetation and flowing waters that form beautiful waterfalls create an idyllic setting.
Lousios River and gorge in Arcadia
The Lousios is a river and a gorge in western Arcadia that stretches from Karytaina north to Dimitsana. The river begins near Lykochori and flows through the Lousios Gorge. It is treacherous, flows rapidly, and empties into the Alfeios 2.5 kilometers northwest of Karytaina and south of Atsicholos.
The river forms a deep, narrow gorge. Its length is approximately 15 km from north to south while its width is approximately 2 km. The gorge is very popular amongst hikers. At the northern end of the gorge lies the town of Dimitsana. At the southern end is the ancient city of Gortys with the temple of Asclepius. Much of the gorge is heavily forested, and there are steep cliffs.
Hike Away in Pelion
With historical, traditional villages and lush vegetation, Pelion is ideal for canyoning adventures in Greece during any season of the year in Greece. It has an extensive network of trails that cross dense forests of wild white, chestnut, oak and plane trees, and one can experience the joy of hiking in nature to the fullest.
It’s an ideal place for hiking the network of traditional cobblestone-paved roads that connect the old villages. The footpaths take you through chestnut and beech forests, and the bright blue of the Aegean catches your eye through the trees.
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