Hiking along the Platys Potamos gorge

The route at a glance

Route suitable for: This is a particularly interesting hiking route which in some places meets the difficult Mesa gorge of Platy Potamos. Developing in general lines along the Platis Potamos, quite high on the slopes and on the nearby hills, it offers you wonderful landscapes of cultivated and wild lands. Your attention will be drawn by the presence of a significant colony of griffon vultures nesting on the vertical walls at the narrowest point of the canyon.

Hiking on: mostly dirt roads, and short goat trails (to bypass the canyon at point 9 where required).

Degree of difficulty: Moderate (for the level of experienced hikers).

Starting point: Agii Apostoli (Holy Apostles) church in Petrochori

End: Manoura Bridge   

Special features: Abrupt break of dirt road above the gorge – Mandatory detour as described in point 09 to 10. Caution! Crossing the canyon on foot is not possible without the use of canyoning techniques and appropriate equipment. This is the reason why our hiking proposal takes you around the gorge at its narrowest part, following a steep, little cleared and bushy goat path.

Marking: None

Drinking water point on the route: Nowhere on the route. Fill your water bottles in the village of Petrochori.

Realization: Spring, autumn and winter. Avoid the route in summer due to the heat prevailing in the area.

Equipment

Spring – Autumn: hiking shoes, long pants (due to the thorny bushes on most of the route), walking stick, hat, sunglasses, water (1½ liter water bottle).

Winter: Winter hiking shoes, winter clothing, raincoat, walking stick, water (1½ liter water bottle).

The route in numbers

Route length: 6,4 km

Duration: 1h50′ – 2h00′

Minimum altitude: 176m

Highest altitude: 352m

Total altitude gain / loss: +156m / – 307m,

Slope: Maximum +43,7 % / -31,0 %. Average: +8,3 % / -8,0 %