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The Activity
Explore this beautiful little gorge and its amazing waterfall, located at the foot of mountain Olympus, with our experienced guides. A unique experience to add to your holidays in Greece! Canynoing is the descent into a gorge. We will walk in the bed of the gorge and descend its waterfalls by rope, using the technique of Rappel (belaying).
After walking for one hour on a marked path, we will reach the top of the gorge. This activity has seven 10-to-30 m belaying (rappel), waterslides and jumps! The waters are crystal clear and the route takes place in a magnificent natural scenery. The steady waterfall flow will allow us to descend throughout the summer.
This canyoning tour takes place in small groups, 4 – 10 people, always accompanied by at least two of our experienced mountain guides / instructors.
The area
Orlias Gorge, is located about 5 kilometers South-West of Dion Village, in the Pieria Prefecture, on the East side of Mt. Olympus. According to Greek Mythology, the mountain’s summit, was the abode of the Olympian Gods.
The History
The name Orlias, was acquired by the hum created by the water, travelling through. During the ancient days of Greece and according to the Myth, the gorge was named Elikonas and Orfeus, who was born in one of the Olympus’ caves, was murdered by the Pierides Muses, at the location where the river blends in with the earth below it, very close to Orfeus’ birthplace named Livitheira. The Myth continues saying that the Muses regretting their crime, wanted to be purified by Eliokonas’ waters. Elikonas, the River, did not wanting to be part of the crime and purification, decided to disappear into the Earth’s depths, finding its way back to the surface, now purified, at Dion, having the new name Vafihras, which means “painted”, by Orfeus’ innocent blood.
Nature and People
Orlias Gorge, develops on thefoot of the Eastern-side of Olympus. This area has been declared a National Park in 1938. The broader area has significantly rare flora, 23 endemic plants, much like those of the Alps and Western Asia. It also has a rich fauna, rare birds and mammals and numerous insects.
The Olympus area is the home of many carnivorous and herbivorous mammals and birds of prey. There is a record of 32 species of mammals, 108 bird species. At the same time the number of endangered species is very large.
You can combine this program with a few great daily activities around Mt. Olympus!
Itinerary
The activity starts at the chapel of St. Constantine & Helen, very close to the Dion village. After walking for one hour on a marked path, we will reach the top of the gorge. This activity has seven 10-to-30 m belaying (rappel), waterslides and jumps! The waters are crystal clear and the route takes place in a magnificent natural scenery. The steady waterfall flow will allow us to descend throughout the summer. Returning to the chapel by hiking, we end our activity with a picnic, on its surrounding grounds.
Highlights:
- Chapel of St. Constantine & Helen
- Spectacular and rich flora
- Canyon’s morphology, waterfalls and pools
Chapel of St. constanite & Helen, near Dion Village at 9:30 a.m here
Participation fee (Private Tours):
2 guests 120 € / per guest
3-4 guests 80 € / per guest
5-8 guests 65 € / per guest
Participation fee (Fixed departure):
65 € / per guest
All necessary equipment (Neopren wet suits, helmets, belts, ropes), All Taxes.
Tips, any activities not included in the tour program.
Fulfillment of participation document, prepayment of participation fee, physical and mental health.
Suitable for ages: 15-70 years.
Please note that this itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the tour leader, according to local and weather conditions.
Total program duration: around 5 hours.
Optional: Know how to swim.
Suitable for ages: 15-70 years.
What participants should have with them: athletic shoes will get wet during the ride recommended, swimsuit and a towel.
Should I have water with me and how much?During the River Trekking we will not find drinking water (spring or tap). Although the stream water is crystal clear, we recommend that each participant has their own 1.5 to 2 liters of water.
Do I have to have food with me?Food is not necessary because a delightful picnic awaits us at the end of the route. However, since the activity lasts about 4-5 hours, we would suggest that you bring some light snacks (nuts, energy bars, fruit, etc.) with you as an option.
How is the ground in this activity?It is one of the activities where we will encounter many different types of terrain. Stream with stones and water, pedestals that we will need to swim, rocks and waterfalls that we will do a light climb, trail at the end to the “Red Rock” and back.
What shoes are good to have?As a large part of the route is in the stream we would recommend having sports shoes that will get wet and a second pair (athletic or hiking) for the trail.
What clothes should I have for the activity?As the activity takes place during a period that usually has good weather but is also in contact with water for most of it, we would recommend light clothing that will get wet or a swimsuit and a change of dry clothes for hiking the trail as an option. In addition, you could have a light jacket (windproof or fleece) for the places where we will rest.
Do I need to have any specific equipment for the activity?Definitely don’t forget your hat, swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle and daypack to carry all of the above. For the camera or mobile phone you should have the special waterproof cases that will protect them from water.
