If you want to enter a canyon of mythical dimensions, then you have to pass through the canyon of Viros. According to the myth, Pyros, the son of Achilles, crossed this canyon to get to Ancient Sparta and marry Hermione, the daughter of Menelaus and Helen of Troy. It’s located on the west side of Mount Taygetus, in the Messenian part of Mani’s peninsula, and it’s 19 kilometers long. The trail is full of cedars, fir, black pine, walnut, and cypress trees, while it reveals a ton of other natural beauties.

If you want to cross a canyon that’s composed of natural beauty and archeological value, then the canyon of Rindomo will overwhelm you. It’s known since ancient times and it was considered to be the natural boarder between the Spartans and the Messenians. It starts from Mount Neraidovouni and ends at the village of Kitries, south of Kalamata.  It’s situated within vertical slopes with rocks that show many sharp folds, color variety, and lush flora. A rare image is it’s “door” (a climbing term), namely a passageway that has a bridge in the middle.

If you want to discover a canyon that uncovers all of nature’s magic, then the canyon of Neda will dazzle you. It’s close to the village of Platania, right after the town of Kyparissia. You can enter the canyon from several points, depending on the distance you wish to cover. The interchanging scenery, the lush vegetation, and the striking rocks will add extra excitement to this marvelous experience. To top it all off, there are waterfalls along the river that fall into small ponds and create wonderful blue-green colorations.

If you want to visit the second richest in diversity caves of Europe, then you have to see the cave of Kastania. It’s “hidden” in the southern tip of the Peloponnese, close to the town of Neapoli in Laconia, and it’s almost 3.000.000 years old. It’s limestone interior consists of crystallized calcium carbonate and it’s enriched with metal oxides of the subsoil, which give the cave its 7 color palette. Moreover, there are rare natural formations such as discs, flat stalagmites, and different types of stalactites.

If you want to visit caves that go beyond any imagination, then you have to visit the caves of Diros. They are located at the settlement of Pyrgos Dirou, a bit outside from Areopolis. These two caves are both extraordinary and each one will dazzle you in its own unique way.

1) Vlyhada (or Glyfada) Cave

If you want to have an experience of mythical dimensions, then you have to roam around the cave of Hermes. It’s located on the east side of Mount Ziria, beneath the plateau of Flambouritsa, at approximately 1.700 meters of altitude. According to mythology, it’s in this cave that god Hermes was born, the result of the illicit love between Zeus and the nymph Maia. It’s a downwind cave that needs special equipment, though it’s spine-tingling to explore a cave that’s millions of years old.

If you want to delight yourself in a canyon that offers gentle grades, then you can pop in the canyon of Fonissa. It’s located right next to the village Kato Loutro, close to the town of Xylokastro. Though it’s rather small, it’s very ravishing for its size. The canyon starts from the point where the river begins in the community of Korfiotissa, it’s interrupted by a big limestone hill for about 1.5 kilometers, and then it reaches the Corinthian Gulf. The canyon walls are really narrow and they create 2 rather dark spots, which make the canyon seem like a cave.

If you want to cross a canyon that gives you choices, then the canyon of Zarmpanitsa is your best choice. You can take the easy hike from the village of Platanos or the tough trail from Kastanitsa. The canyon was created from the Vrassiati River and its plethora of water. It’s a rather big canyon that starts from the castle of Zaggoli and ends at the church of Agios Andreas. The scenery along the trails is truly striking and there’s a lot to delight in.

If you want to tame a “demanding” canyon, then you have to give the canyon of Mazia a shot. It’s located close to the village of Kastanitsa, at the foothills of Mount Parnon, and it ends at the church of Moni Kondolinas. The landscape is gorgeous, though the hike is strenuous. It will take you a good 3 hours to cross the canyon, but the scenery will reward every step. The trail follows the creek and it passes through gigantic rocks, striking plane trees, and a great variety of rare herbs with therapeutic action.