Stavraetos Canyoning (2017) - Tzoumerka, Epirus, GREECE

20min. video edit from my experience canyoning in Stavraetos gorge

 One of the many beautiful rappels of Stavraetos canyon

Decided to go canyoning in Epirus (Ήπειρος), north of Greece, south Pindus range, the area is called Tzoumerka (Τζουμέρκα) and our base was to be a traditional stone village, Syrrako (Συρράκο). The event was organized by Hellas Canyon (https://www.canyoning.gr/), one of the leading canyoning organizers in Greece. Our team leader (and head of Hellas Canyon) Giorgos Andreou is one of the top experienced canyoning instructors available, a real professional who has explored most of the canyons all around Greece.

  

 Early morning walking down Syrrako village, going to the meeting point. Todays canyoning is taking place in Stavraetos (Σταυραετός) gorge which has access through a path from the village.

Meeting point early at 09.00am and distributing the gear. For those like us who don't have our own canyoning gear, we are provided with a full 5mm neoprene wetsuit (to withstand the cold water and protect you from scratches), a helmet, a safety belt, a backpack and a dry box (to store a few stuff like snacks or money).  

There was a short training course for the first timers, explaining the basics, safety and getting a feel of the position you will be rappeling down. The term "rappel" means the act or method of moving down a steep incline or past an overhang by means of a double rope secured above and placed around your body. 

After the training session our first rappel down the path was just there.

Going down through the rocks and small pools of water. 

Further on we started going down small waterfalls, it was a very dry period and probably there must be more water under normal conditions. There is always somebody with experience near you making sure everything is alright.

A few more rappels before we get our first challenging spot (for us newbies). 

 Here we are, a short rappel down there and then we go down almost 50m. height.

Making sure everything is alright, a few instructions from our captain and off you go down.

 The area after you go down, a beautiful open space with another waterfall on the right, you go down from the area on the top left.

Another view of the area while somebody is rappeling down. 

 Rappeling down the big one.

A person below is your ultimate safety measure, just in case you loose it anything he will hold the rope tight in order to prevent you from falling. This measure is called "holding kazanaki" which literally means toilet flush.

Almost everybody down and we are ready to proceed to the 2nd leg of the canyon. 

 While waiting a few people got refreshed under the waterfall.

The ropes used are very long and heavy, especially when wet, the guides transport them in their backpack. 

 Further down the scenery got even more beautiful, rappeling down smaller waterfalls with deeper pools which you swam inside and interesting rock formations.

The remains of an unlucky animal. 

Very beautiful scenery, 

 Slowly slowly we reached our last rappel for the day.

With no more rappels we had a short break for snacks, regrouped continued hiking through beautiful nature to get to the path which would lead us back up to Syrrako village. 

Regrouped and hiking towards the exit path. Below some more photos of the beautiful scenery during our hike back. 

One final refreshing moment in the water before getting out of the river.

This stony stairs path will take you back up to Syrrako village. 

Almost at the top, looking back, we came from somewhere around there. 

Guess this is the way they transport stones (or other things) to the village when needed.

Back to Syrrako village and this marks the end of todays canyoning in Stavraetos gorge.

Additional information

GPS coordinates for places in this post, click on them to be redirected to the exact point in google maps. Click on the names to be redirected to their official websites (if applicable).

Hellas Canyon website with annual program for canyoning all over Greece and lots of useful information about many canyons (Greek & English): https://www.canyoning.gr/
Meeting point of this canyoning in Syrrako carpark and start of trail: 39°35'39.1"N 21°06'15.9"E

Click below to read the connected next post:

Paradise Gate Canyoning (2017) - Tzoumerka, Epirus, GREECE