Karagiannaki

Last Update: 15.07.2025 by David Mason
v2 a3 II
4h20
1h30
2h
50min
550m
330m
220m
x
15m
11
1800m
Car required
Rating:
★★★★★
3 (5)
Info:
★★★
1.7 (3)
Belay:
★★★
2 (4)
Summary:
The route is initially quite continuous, with pools of clear water and some nice jumps. In the last part the progression becomes more tiring and less continuous and it is necessary to overcome a large landslide that has detached from the right bank. Can be combined by continuing on to Vatos (effectively Karagiannaki inferiore).
March - November
Summary:
The route is initially quite continuous, with pools of clear water and some nice jumps. In the last part the progression becomes more tiring and less continuous and it is necessary to overcome a large landslide that has detached from the right bank. Can be combined by continuing on to Vatos (effectively Karagiannaki inferiore).
Access:
If combining with Vatos and using a water taxi, see Vatos description for contacting Nicholas. Always following the signs for Pachia Ammos, until you find the dirt road on the left that leads to "KHMNIOTIZZA". Go up the dirt road for about 2 km until you reach a small clearing on the right, 100 m before the church and shortly after a steep dirt road on the left. Park the car. - If a 4WD vehicle is available, you can shorten both the approach and return by 20 minutes by taking the dirt road to the picnic area where you park.
Approach (1 h 30):
https://www.wikiloc.com/canyoneering-trails/hinweg-karagiannakis-canyon-172211206 Take the dirt road on the left that climbs very steeply for about 1.2 km to a picnic area. Take the wide path on the left, signed with blue marks, which goes horizontally into the Vatos valley, often running alongside some water pipes. Continue until crossing the Vatos. Continue on the left bank, following the faint goat path that goes up the slope, always signed with blue marks, and taking the pipes as a reference, until you reach a rocky spur that divides the Vatos valley from the Karaggiannaki valley. Continue into the Karagiannaki valley, parallel to the pipes, until you reach the riverbed.
Tour (2 h):
(Upstream from the entry point there are other unequipped waterfalls, some of which have nearby trees that can be used as natural anchors.) After an initial 150 m long stretch with various downclimbs, you reach the first two rappels. This is followed by a 50 m long narrow part with other downclimbs and a nice toboggan. At the end of this stretch there is a possible escape route on the right. We continue going on the left orographic side, where there are two downclimbs of 10 and 7 m, to go to the right where there is one of 12 m. We return to the left for a further downclimb and for a diveable rappel. There are six further rappels, of which the third (8 m) and the sixth (9 m) are diveable, while the fourth (10 m) can be bypassed on the right. You arrive at the large landslide where it is difficult to orient yourself. Be careful of its instability. Although it can be crossed from both orographic sides, the easiest passage is on the left bank, following the course of the water. After the landslide you reach the confluence with the Vatos which you descend for 50 m until you reach an obvious and marked path on the right bank. Note that it is possible to continue with Vatos canyon down to the sea.
Return (50 min):
Take the path at the height of a large tree and continue uphill until you reach an oak tree grove. Take the wide, steep path on the right that quickly takes you to the picnic area. From here descend along the dirt road made during the approach until you reach the parked vehicle. If you decide to continue down Vatos to the sea try Nicolais: +306984508105 for a boat shuttle.

Coordinates:

Canyon Start
40.430189°, 25.593449°
DMS: 40° 25" 48.68', 25° 35" 36.42'

DM: 40° 25.811", 25° 35.607"

Google Maps
550m elevation
Parking Entry and Exit
40.407813°, 25.585917°
DMS: 40° 24" 28.13', 25° 35" 9.3'

DM: 40° 24.469", 25° 35.155"

Google Maps
Canyon End
40.420542°, 25.587075°
DMS: 40° 25" 13.95', 25° 35" 13.47'

DM: 40° 25.233", 25° 35.224"

Google Maps
330m elevation

Literatures:

Map
1:25000
Map
1:50000
Canyoning Book
Hellenic Canyoning Association- ESEF
Anavasi
2008
978-960-91379-5-9
10 Canyon-Beschreibungen

Hydrology: