GORGES DU LOUSSIOS

These gorges (Φαράγγι Λούσιου/Faraggi Lousiou) are magnificent. Between Dimitsana and Karytena, the Loussios River has carved out a canyon 15 km long and 2 km wide in a landscape of rocky outcrops and scrubland, where old stone bridges, beautiful villages, monasteries clinging to the cliffs, the ruins of an ancient city and a castle await you to finish. Here you can follow an 18 km section of the O32 national trail that crosses the Peloponnese. In this case, allow 7h30 for the walk, excluding rest stops. Alternatively, you can raft down the river or reach the sights by road. Starting point at 950 m altitude: the village of Dimitsana (420 inhabitants) is built into the hillside on the ruins of ancient Teuthis. Here you'll find hotels and restaurants, as well as the open-air White Water Museum. Pass under the hamlet of Paleochori (pop. 20) to reach the Loussios. Shortly afterwards are the two Filosofou monasteries: the "new" one (^18th century), by the roadside, and the "old" one (^10th century), in the cliffs of the gorge. Cross to the other side of the river to reach the Timios Prodromos monastery (^12th century), built lengthways in a cavity 200 m above the river. Alternatively, take an 8 km detour east to the village of Stemnitsa (population 300), with its restaurants and hotels offering panoramic views.

Geoffroy de Briel castle. Back in the gorge, cross the beautiful ^18th-century Kokkori bridge to visit the Gortys archaeological site, which is open to the public. Founded in the ^4th century B.C., the ruins of the thermal baths and a temple to Asclepius can still be seen. Then, about 1 km west of the path, there's another "double" monastery, that of Kalamiou, with the ancient part (^15th century) set into the cliffs and the more recent one (^18th century) on a green hill. The complex is also accessible by road from the hamlet of Atsicholos (population 25). In the gorge, you can then cross the beautiful arch of the Atsicholos bridge (early ^19th century). And, as the Loussios flows into the Alpheus 2.5 km to the west, you'll come to an end at an altitude of 550 m, in the village of Karytena (pop. 160). This village has preserved a significant ^13th-century heritage inherited from the Franks: bell tower, castle of Baron Geoffroy de Briel (c. 1223-1275) and bridge built by masons from Champagne. You'll also find hotels, restaurants and the starting point for a rafting trip down the Alphée gorges.