A rafting descent on the Arachthos River is a must for every conscientious Greek explorer. The most beautiful route in Greece and one of the most beautiful in Europe includes the descent of the gorge, starting from the Bridge of Politsa and ending at the Bridge of Plaka. Already on the route with the TREKKING HELLAS coach to the Politsas Bridge, where the start will take place, we have the opportunity to get a taste of what will follow. The road crosses the steep slopes of Xerovouni and somewhere along the way it takes our breath away. But it does reveal a few sections of the canyon, where we can see how impressive the descent will be, although most of it remains hidden, no matter where you stand. Only the boat descent will be able to reveal the full beauty of the canyon. The descent to the bridge of Politsa is like a descent into the depths of the earth. The small bus slowly makes its way along the narrow, but paved road, towards the Politsa Bridge where we will board the boats. We descend to the bottom of the gorge with the inaccessible 750m high crags reminding us that nature is the absolute ruler here.

Arriving at the bridge of Politsa, there is a lesson for all participants, something like the instructions given by a flight attendant before each flight. How to sit in the boat, how to hold the paddle and what to do with it, and generally everything you need to know on the descent. Nothing else, but the descent requires our active participation, otherwise the boat goes down rudderless. Don’t imagine anything difficult, after all, the boat driver knows the river and the techniques and shouts orders at us, we don’t have to think about anything. Just enjoy the ride.

The first “rapids” are beautiful and relatively easy so that we can safely take the baptism. But there are dozens more below for harnessing. The good thing about going down the canyon is, all the rapids are not too difficult, second grade most of them and only two of them are a bit harder. Perfect river for first time rafters who don’t want to get bored. A minimum of physical fitness is enough, except of course knowledge of swimming.

A little further on we reach Klifki, where an underground river comes out of the mountain and flows into the Arachthos, creating a few continuous waterfalls. We go to explore the last and largest one. Tucked between vertical cliffs, aquatic plants and moss, it makes a scene straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. Banquets, photos and on we go.

A little further on, an impressive rock, the Makrylithari, rises 80 metres above the river, effectively marking the entrance to the narrowest part of the gorge. Water running from everywhere, springs gushing from the rocks, caves where you can enter by boat, and at the end a magnificent waterfall running from the roof of a cave offers an unforgettable shower. At the same spot sometimes, after a rain, another huge waterfall of 150 meters high is created, offering an incredible spectacle, exclusively for those who will be in the river by boat.

We pass by “Stena“, where the width of the river does not exceed 8 meters and gradually the landscape calms down. The passage under the historical bridge of Plaka reveals to us the art and craftsmanship of the old folk craftsmen. It is the largest arched bridge in Greece with an arch span of 40 meters and a height of 20 meters. The descent ends here, but nothing ends the memories of one of the most beautiful river descents in Europe.