Canyoning and gorge walks on Samothraki

Samothraki's rivers fall from Mount Saos to the sea through granite gorges, in chains of waterfalls and deep, cold pools that the island calls vathres. Walking up to the first pools is easy. Going down the gorges themselves, by sliding, jumping and abseiling, is canyoning, and on this island it is done with a guide.

Walk to the waterfalls

You don't need ropes to see the best of it. At Fonias, a marked path from the bridge and the old tower east of Therma reaches the first waterfall and its pool in 15 to 30 minutes, through plane trees by the river; beyond it the path gets steeper and rockier. At Gria Vathra, above Therma, the first pool is about 15 minutes away and the higher ones 20 to 30 minutes more. The water comes from the mountain and is cold all year. Our waterfalls guide has the rest.

Canyoning with a guide

A canyoning day follows a river down: walking in the water, sliding down smooth rock, jumping into pools and abseiling down the waterfalls on a rope, in a wetsuit and helmet the guides provide. It is the only safe way into the deeper gorges, which change after rain and need ropes and experience.

• Hellas Canyon runs several routes on the island, from an easy morning in the gorge at Kariotes, suitable from age 10, to Fonias and the Gria Vathra gorge with their slides and jumps, and harder descents for experienced canyoners. Each trip starts with basic training, and the main season is July and August.
• Base Outdoor Activities also guides canyoning in the island's gorges; ask them for routes, levels and dates.
• Great Gods – Divine Travel Experiences, a licensed travel agency in Palaiopoli, leads private walking tours of the Fonias gorge and arranges outdoor days such as hiking, cycling and canyoning.

Good to know

• Summer is the season: July and August are the main months for guided canyoning, when the rivers are lower and the water is bearable; some routes run from spring to autumn. After heavy rain the gorges are dangerous, even the walks.
• Wear shoes that grip on wet rock, not flip-flops. On a guided trip the company tells you what to bring.
• Never jump into a pool you haven't checked, and never go down a gorge alone.
• For a longer day in the mountains, see our hiking guide.