Canyon Gria Vathra v4-a3-III 4.1/5*

Country: Ελλάδα / Greece

Region: Περιφέρεια Ανατολικής Μακεδονίας και Θράκης / Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Subregion: Νομός Έβρου / Evros Prefecture

Town: Samothraki

v4 a3 III

8h50

2h30

6h

20min

860m

160m

700m

50m

37

2700m

Car required

Rating:

★★★★★

4.1 (5)

Info:

★★★

2 (1)

Belay:

★★★

2.4 (5)

Summary:

One of the best canyons on the island. Many good abseils and slides. Gria Vathra can be divided into Superior, Intermedio, and Inferiore. See "Access"

May - August

Summary:

One of the best canyons on the island. Many good abseils and slides. Gria Vathra can be divided into Superior, Intermedio, and Inferiore. See "Access"

Access:

Park at Therma. Follow either the direct path, or walk up the rough road then on the path. It may be possible to save some walking by driving up the rough road from Therma with a suitable car, in which case a car shuffle is required (or someone walks up to fetch the car while the others drink at the restaurant). It is also possible to park at 40.486058, 25.618228 and follow the road then a path to the top of inferior at 40.481917, 25.60910, then a further path to the top of intermedio at 40.476932, 25.60SI52 (path marked with red dots). However, the path is somewhat unpleasant and undulating, and for the effort the walk into superior is far more pleasant.

Approach (2 h 30):

See GPX on https://ropewiki.com/Gria_Vathra The walk to the top of Gria Vathra Superiore is pleasant through the forests, and follow a clear path until the short final traverse into the canyon.

Tour (6 h):

Return (20 min):

Find the path marked with large painted red dots. Use your map app to return to the car. If you parked at 40.486058, 25.618228, follow the paths and old canal to cross the river at a very small dam at 40.489480 25.614173, then follow a vague path (not marked on map apps June 2025) to regain the road to walk to the car.

Coordinates:

Canyon Start

40.473206°, 25.598457° ↓↑
DMS: 40° 28" 23.54', 25° 35" 54.45'
DM: 40° 28.392", 25° 35.907"
Google Maps

Parking at Exit

40.497464°, 25.60338° ↓↑
DMS: 40° 29" 50.87', 25° 36" 12.17'
DM: 40° 29.848", 25° 36.203"
Google Maps

Park at Therma

Parking lot Alternative access

40.4914°, 25.5913° ↓↑
DMS: 40° 29" 29.04', 25° 35" 28.68'
DM: 40° 29.484", 25° 35.478"
Google Maps

Can walk from here to start of intermediate or start of inferiore.

Canyon End

40.4878°, 25.6124° ↓↑
DMS: 40° 29" 16.08', 25° 36" 44.64'
DM: 40° 29.268", 25° 36.744"
Google Maps

Literatures:

Map

Samothraki , Terrain Cartography Hiking Map 324, 1/25000, 2010, ISBN: 9789609456067

1:25000

Map

Road Editions 215, Samothraki, 1/50000

1:50000

Canyoning Book

Canyoning in Samothraki

Hellenic Canyoning Association- ESEF

Anavasi

2008

978-960-91379-5-9

10 Canyon-Beschreibungen

Canyoning Booklet

Winged Samothraki

www.VERTICALWATERCANYONING:COM

www.VERTICALWATERCANYONING.COM

2025

9798282769814

booklet zum Canyoning meeting 2025 auf Samothraki

Cwiki Canyon Info

Canyoning Wiki Link Gria Vathra https://canyon.carto.net/cwiki/bin/view/Canyons/GriaVathraCanyon.html

Descente Canyon Info

https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon/21593

Ropewiki Canyon Info

http://ropewiki.com/Gria_Vathra

Gallery

http://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-photo/21593/photographie.html

Video

* https://youtu.be/-bv4c58wu-o

Video

https://youtu.be/7LnpuZPTnjA

Video

https://youtu.be/aUfTqcrkWas

Video

https://youtu.be/EgZwWQ9GiOw

Unknown

http://www.verticalwatercanyoning.com/giorno-6-gria-vatria-canyon-130617/

Trip Report (e.g. Blogpost)

https://bachab.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Reisebericht-Text.pdf

Trip Report (e.g. Blogpost)

https://canyoning-caving.blogspot.com/2016/08/2016_10.html

Video

Gria Vathra inf. (Vertical Water meeting 2025) by canyonwolf https://youtu.be/7K1W58JtKCo?si=yj8YpJrJEZQS_XeI

Gallery

Gria Vathra inf. (Vertical Water meeting 2025) by canyonwolf https://photos.app.goo.gl/tqNdapEeULCnTaci9

10.07.2025 zede63 ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Gria Vathra (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/21593/observations.html)

08.07.2025 zede63 ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Gria Vathra (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/21593/observations.html)

02.07.2025 zede63 ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Gria Vathra (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/21593/observations.html)

20.06.2025 David Mason ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ Completed ✕

Topos reproduced with permission from Andrea Forni

17.06.2025 MartiiinYan09 ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Gria Vathra Fait en intégral, beau canyon. Supers tobs au depart, pas mal de désescalades et beaux rappels. Sortis à la prise d'eau, à droite, retour au monastère en 10mn (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/21593/observations.html)

08.06.2025 Jeanne Picart ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ machine translated ➜ Original language

Equipement ok. Intermédiaire et Inférieur fait en 2h30. Pas de navette, on s'est garé à l'église Cristos, ça passe bien. 1h15 approche, 15 min sortie

Equipment ok. Intermediate and Lower done in 2h30. No shuttle bus, we parked at Cristos church, which is fine. 1h15 approach, 15 min exit

Other users were: Alex Arnold Hendrik Berger Gerhard

06.06.2025 Wolfgang Streicher ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ machine translated ➜ Original language

Gria Vathra inf.: Einmal von Baum abgeseilt. Einstieg alternativ mit Rutsche oder Sprung. Nach dem letzten Abseiler ermüdendes Hinauslaufen

Gria Vathra inferiore: One rappel from a tree. Entry alternatively with slide or jump. After the last rappel a tiring run out

06.08.2024 skeno ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Low Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Gria Vathra (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/21593/observations.html)

06.08.2024 Rok ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Low Completed ✔ machine translated ➜ Original language

Weil es so schön, nochmals mit den Kindern begangen. Einfach großartig und spaßig. Alles tip top.

Because it was so beautiful, once again with the children. Simply great and fun. Everything tip top.

Other users were: Alex

06.08.2024 Alexxx ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Gria Vathra All Installations ok. (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/21593/observations.html)

30.07.2024 Rok ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Low Completed ✔ machine translated ➜ Original language

Alles tip top. Eine unglaubliche und großartige Spaßschlucht (Rutschen und Sprünge, teilweise wiederholbar) am Anfang, dann etwas technischer und nur Abseiler am Ende. Bitte genau die Begehung von der Bina am 25.5.2024 studieren und genau so machen (Danke Bina). Für mich das Highlight. Wir waren zu 12 (davon 2 Kinder) und in ca. 9 Stunden Auto-Auto (mit vielen Wiederholungen einiger Stellen und ausgiebiger Pause).

Everything tip top. An incredible and great fun gorge (slides and jumps, partly repeatable) at the beginning, then a bit more technical and only rappel at the exit. Please study Bina's ascent on 25.5.2024 and do it exactly the same way (thanks Bina). The highlight for me. There were 12 of us (including 2 children) and in about 9 hours by car (with many repetitions of some places and extensive breaks).

Other users were: Julia Straßer

14.07.2024 lolo ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Gria Vathra Parking monastère Saint Christ , on poursuit à pied la piste puis ça se transforme en chemin très bien balisé ????.Partie haute superbe digne de la purcarracia . La suite c’est beau mais plus classique. La fin est envahi de nudistes. Fait en 6h pause comprises a 8 dont 4 enfants entre 11 et 14 ans . (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/21593/observations.html)

06.07.2024 fefe25 ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Gria Vathra Accès : Après s'être garer au monastère du Christ , continuer de monter la piste à pied jusqu(au bout . Là , on trouve un sentier marquer d'abord en bleu , puis plus tard en rouge . On laisse un sentier qui descend à droite pour les touristes . on continue sur le sentier cairné . Il faut monter jusqu'en haut à la confluence de 2 ruisseau pour profiter pleinement des beaux toboggans !!!!Retour : au niveau du petit barrage d’irrigation , monter à droite et retrouver la piste qui retourne au monastère . (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/21593/observations.html)

28.05.2024 Sélecta (Jacuzzi) ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Gria Vathra Canyon très esthétique ! Les amarrages sont en bon état. (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/21593/observations.html)

28.05.2024 Alex_tatavovitch ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Gria Vathra Nous nous sommes garés un peu avant le monastère et avons suivi les indications de Bina, RASMarche d'approche: 1h30Canyon: 5h30 à 9Retour : 10 min (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/21593/observations.html)

25.05.2024 Bina ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Gria Vathra Since the hippies apparently have something against canyonists (car tires are slashed), a new parking lot with a new approach is recommended.Parking is at the Holy Monastery of Christ. From there you first follow blue markings further up the slope, which turns into a path in the ferns. The markings also change to red. Keep following the red markings to the right until you reach a little over 600 meters above sea level. You get to the canyon and can admire large rock slabs. Here you climb/run along the nose, first to the right, then to the left, until you reach a little over 700 meters above sea level. the tour starts with a great slide 1h30.At the end walk down until the build pool, go right uo to your car (0h10) (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/21593/observations.html)

25.05.2024 Bina ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ machine translated ➜ Original language

Da die Hippies anscheinend etwas gegen Canyonisten haben (Autoreifen zerstochen), wird ein neuer Parkplatz mit einem neuen Zustieg empfohlen. Parkplatz ist bei der Holy Monastery of Christ. Ab da folgt man zuerst blauen Markierungen die Piste weiter hoch, welche in einen Weg im Farn über geht. Auch wechseln die Markierungen auf rot. Immer weiter folgt man orogrphisch rechts den roten Markierungen, bis man bei etwas über 600müM. zum Canyon gelangt und grosse Felsplatten bewundern darf. Hier klettert/läuft man der Nase nach zuerst rechts, dann links weiter hoch, bis man auf etwas mehr als 700müM. die Tour mit einer tollen Rutschbahn startet. Am Ende der Tour, bei einem gemauerten Becken orographisch rechts dem Pfad folgen, In 10 Min. erreicht man den Parkplatz.

Since the hippies seem to have something against canyonists (car tires slashed), a new parking lot with a new access is recommended. The parking lot is at the Holy Monastery of Christ. From there, follow the blue markings further up the slope, which turns into a path in the ferns. The markings also change to red. Keep following the red markings orogrphically to the right until you reach the canyon at just over 600m and can admire the large rock slabs. Here you climb/walk along the nose, first to the right, then to the left, until you start the tour with a great slide at just over 700m above sea level. At the exit of the tour, follow the path orographically to the right at a walled basin and you will reach the parking lot in 10 minutes.