Our trip to Greece reached one of its highlights with an incredible experience that we will remember for a long time. We set out on a long and adrenaline-filled hike from the village of Diakopto .
Narrow-gauge railway ride through the Vouraikos Canyon
Our adventure began touristically, with a narrow-gauge railway ride through the Vouraikos Canyon. This line is a true masterpiece of engineering. The railway was built in 1896 and is 22 kilometers long, running to the town of Kalavryta. It is a narrow-gauge rack railway, only 75 cm wide. The train runs very slowly, 6-15 km/h on the rack section, and up to 40 km/h otherwise. The ride takes one hour. The train travels through spectacular scenery, over bridges and through numerous tunnels, which makes the ride truly unique. The train runs only three times a day.
First stop: sightseeing in Kalavryta
Our first destination was the town of Kalavryta, which is known for its sad history. During World War II, the town was the scene of one of the worst war crimes on Greek soil. In December 1943, German troops carried out a Holocaust and burned the town, killing more than 500 men. Today, a monument to the victims of the Holocaust has been erected in memory of this tragic event, which we also visited. On a bend just above the village, there is a large monument and an inscription commemorating December 13, 1943. All the men of the village were put in front of a firing squad at 12 noon and executed. The women and children were imprisoned in a school building and burned down. Only a few managed to escape. A walk through the town and a visit to the monument were moving. The town also has a museum dedicated to these tragic events (which we did not visit). This mountain town is also popular for its ski slopes and serves as a starting point for many mountain trails.
Back on foot! Hike through the Vouraikos canyon.
After visiting Kalavryta, we took the train to the only intermediate station, where we got off and began our hike along the railway tracks through the Vouraikos Canyon. This shortened our 22-kilometer hike to 13 kilometers. We walked on the tracks the entire time, crossing several precipitous bridges and through narrow tunnels.
We walked the first part of the way quite relaxed, because we knew that the train was still standing at the station. When the clock struck and we knew that the train was on the tracks, we turned on all our senses. The train could not be heard because the river was roaring nearby, which added even more adrenaline to our experience. During this time, we were constantly looking for and careful about where to turn. Meeting a train in a tunnel is impossible, the bridges and many parts of the path are so narrow that there is nowhere to turn. We luckily avoided meeting at the last moment. When the train passed us, we breathed a sigh of relief and continued our journey completely calmly. If you set out on such a journey, carefully follow the timetable.
Hike length and views
We walked a total of 13 kilometers. The path led downhill or flat, which allowed us to enjoy the views of the canyon, tunnels, river, gorge and even the stalactites of one of the open caves. The views were incredible, and the hike along the railway tracks was truly unique. The path is suitable for adults and older children who have experience with walking. You have to be careful.
It was a hike we will never forget. The natural beauty of Vouraikos Canyon and the adrenaline rush of walking on the tracks completely blew us away. We highly recommend the experience!
