You pass a couple of waterfalls and some plunge pools big enough to take a dip, especially refreshing in summer
EXPERIENCE

Hiking the Black Cave gorge in Evritania

Fill up on nature at its best by hiking from the picturesque village of Proussos to the historic Black Cave, hidden within one of the most beautiful gorges of Central Greece.
Thrace region-id="pin-13"; Macedonia Macedonia Epirus Thessaly Sporades Ionian Islands Western Greece Central Greece Attica Peloponnese Crete Cyclades North Aegean Islands Dodecanese Dodecanese Karpathos Astypalea Tilos Sitia Faistos - Matala Patmos Kastelorizo Kasos Kos Leros Halki Rhodes Symi Sfakia - Loutro Rethymno Elounda - Agios Nikolaos Agia Galini Plakias Hersonissos - Malia Ierapetra Heraklion Chania Nisyros Ikaria Lipsi Tzia - Kea Thasos Samos Lesvos Samothrace Limnos Chios Kalymnos Paros Naxos Zante - Zakynthos Lefkada Corfu Santorini Milos Kythnos Kimolos Serifos Syros Sifnos Koufonisia Ios Kefalonia Mykonos Paxi Ithaca Arta Ioannina Tinos Parga - Sivota Metsovo Anafi Sikinos Folegandros Donousa - Iraklia - Schinoussa Antiparos Zagori Mountainous Arkadia Porto Heli - Ermioni Preveza Amorgos Andros Delos Messolongi Ancient Olympia Aegina Kythira Archea Epidavros Patra Nafplio Kardamyli Kalamata Ilia Corinth Western Messinia Kalavryta Elafonissos Nafpaktos Spetses Poros Hydra Alexandroupolis Pylos Mycenae Monemvasia Loutraki Piraeus Athens Arahova Xanthi Galaxidi Mystra - Sparta Mani Edipsos Karpenisi Delphi Chalkida Karystos Evia Skyros Vergina Alonissos Volos Karditsa Skopelos Skiathos Kastoria Thessaloniki Prespes Agios Athanasios Edessa Serres Veria Larissa - Tempi Elati - Pertouli Trikala Pelion Meteora Drama Ammouliani Mount Athos - Ouranopolis Nymfeo Mount Olympos Katerini Halkidiki Grevena Lake Kerkini Naoussa Kozani Kilkis Kavala Pella Lake Plastira
Duration
Full day
Season
All year round

OVERVIEW

It’s impossible not to want to hike when you’re in Evritania. The call of nature in this mountainous region of Central Greece is as irresistible as the flow of its streams and rivers. And hiking to the Black Cave takes you through one of the region’s most beautiful gorges which, given Evritania’s lofty status in the natural beauty stakes, is saying something!

Heading out from of the village of Proussos (or the neighbouring monastery) you follow a well-marked trail up the gorge, crossing little wooden bridges and gurgling brooks. Animal and plant life thrive here amongst firs, willows and plane trees. You pass a couple of waterfalls and some plunge pools big enough to take a dip in, which are especially refreshing in summer.

It’s an uphill but straightforward hike to the Black Cave (Mavri Spilia), which makes a perfect picnic spot with family or friends. And for those with the technical skill (and ideally a guide), there’s the option of continuing up the Via Ferrata – the section of the gorge accessible only with ropes and harnesses (and nerves of steel).  

Read More Read Less

DON'T MISS

Proussos Monastery 

It’s a slightly longer walk but it’s worth starting your hike from the Monastery of Panagia Prousiotissa (Proussos Monastery). Records show it was built in the 12th century, but it is said that the original monastery was built to house an icon of the Virgin Mary hidden here in 829. Centuries later, it found a different purpose when it sheltered rebels fighting against the Ottomans and Nazis during their respective occupations. The monastery has been rebuilt several times (it was burnt down by the Nazis) but its position, between two mountains, will always have been magical, with sweeping views of the tree-filled gorge. Inside, you can see the armour and weapons of revolutionary hero Georgios Karaiskakis.

Proussos village

The alternative starting point is the village of Proussos, whose plane tree-sheltered main square is a perfect place to rest before or after your walk. Water flows freely from the sources in the square (there’s another where you can fill your water bottle by the entrance to the gorge) and you will find tavernas serving hearty mountain food. You can even stay the night here if you want to max out on Evritanian authenticity. 

The Black Cave

After making your way over bridges and brooks, you reach the Black Cave. Not that you can see it coming. Hidden from view until you are upon it, you immediately understand why it served as a refuge during Greece’s occupations. Much of the stone wall that once sealed the cave entrance remains intact. But its full history goes way back, with the ancient Evritanians said to have created an oracle here in honour of Odysseus (worshipping his capacity for combatting life’s obstacles) and another legend saying that it was used as a refuge by the tragic Oedipus.

Via Ferrata

From here, things get technical. A Via Ferrata (or Iron Road) is a climbing route that uses steel cables, rungs and ladders fixed to the rock for climbers to harness ropes onto and repel over otherwise impassable terrain. If that sounds like fun, then it’s for you. You’ll be rewarded with even more memorable waterfalls and be completely alone in nature. 

Read More Read Less

Το Proussos

From Athens

  • By car: 310km (4hr)

From Thessaloniki

  • By car: 349km (4hr40min)

To Karpenisi

From Athens

From Thessaloniki

  • By car: 321km (4hr)
  • Starting Point: Proussos Monastery or the Proussos-Tornos bridge (by the village)
  • Distance: 2.5km from the monastery and 1km from the village to the Black Cave and another 4km to complete the Via Ferrata.
  • Difficulty: 12+ (to the Black Cave)
  • Max elevation: 1,100m
  • Min elevation: 700m
  • Duration: 1hr15min from Proussos Monastery and 1hr from Proussos to the Black Cave and 4-5hrs to complete the entire route, including the Via Ferrata.
  • Equipment: You need only basic hiking equipment to reach the Black Cave, although a hiking stick would be helpful. Climbing equipment is essential for the Via Ferrata.
  • You may get wet shoes in winter and spring passing over some of the streams.
  • You can complete the Via Ferrata on your own, but it’s strongly recommended to use a guide, who can supply all the gear and technical knowhow.
  • There’s the bonus of a prosciutto producer near the start of the route. It has won multiple awards for its cold cuts (including air-dried salami and sausages), using organic, locally-sourced-ingredients. 

What to pack:

  • Karpenisi is the nearest large settlement with plenty of accommodation and entertainment options.
  • Alternatively, there are hotels, guestrooms and a selection of tavernas in Megalo or Mikro Horio.
  • If you want even greater peace and quiet, there are accommodation options in Proussos and other villages in the area, such as Koryschades.
  • You can hike to the Black Cave all year round, but most organised excursions operate from May-October, when the weather conditions are more favourable.
  • If you come in spring, you’ll find plenty of streams with running water and wildflowers. Autumn is particularly atmospheric because of the changing colours and falling leaves.
  • Autumn
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Winter

Book your trip

All your holiday planning needs in one place, letting you book direct and benefit from official online rates

TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY

The charm of hiking to the Black Cave gorge is that it is a wild and unspoilt environment, so please help keep it that way.

Don’t forget to keep any rubbish with you until you reach a bin.
Please keep to designated paths for your safety and to avoid disrupting the wildlife.
Tempted as you might be, please don’t feed any animals.
Use a refillable water bottle to try to minimise your use of plastic.
Respect the local environment by not picking any plants or flowers.
Always check the weather and don’t attempt anything that is beyond your abilities or physical condition.
Lighting fires in the wild is prohibited.
Read More Read Less
YOU NEED TO KNOW ·
Exploring the beauty of Lake Kremaston by kayak

Exploring the beauty of Lake Kremaston by kayak

The villages of Evritania overflow with everything magical about Central Greece

Village-hopping in the mountains of Evritania

Couple enjoying a hike in Corfu

Discover the best hiking trails in Corfu

Acheron river photographed from above

The best adventure activities on the Acheron River in Epirus

Rafting on Voidomatis river 4

Hiking & rafting along the Voidomatis River in Epirus

Vikos Gorge

Hiking the spectacular Vikos Gorge in Epirus