Expedition to the Xetrypitis Gorge
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Tuesday, 14 May 2024
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Trek to Xetrypitis Gorge
Hike up the Makaris river bed to a spectacular river gorge
A journey of discovery to the breathtaking Xetrypitis Gorge on the Makaris river. This awe-inspiring natural wonder awaits those with a spirit of adventure. It can only be reached on foot but is well worth the effort for the intrepid adventurer.
Trek to Xetrypitis Gorge - Essential Information
Walk Statistics (calculated from GPX):
- Start location: Massari
- Distance: km ( miles)
- Total Gain: metre ( ft)
- Total Descent: metre ( ft)
- Min Height: metre ( ft)
- Max Height: metre ( ft)
- Walk Time:
- Walk Grade: challenging
- Terrain: Road, tracks, rocky river bed
Maps:
The following maps and services can assist in navigating this route. There are links to printed maps and links to downloadable GPX route data for importing into navigational software and apps.
- GPX Route File
Route Verification Details
- Date of Walk: 11/10/2023
- Walk Time: 09:30:00 to 15:00:00
- Walkers: Griff, Kat
- Weather Conditions: Hot, clear blue skies
Walk Notes
This trek embarks upon a journey of discovery to the breathtaking Xetrypitis Gorge (ΦΑΡΑΓΓΙ ΞΕΤΡΥΠΗΤΗ), a hidden gem on the island of Rhodes. Carved over millennia by the relentless force of winter waters cascading from the mountains to the sea, this awe-inspiring natural wonder awaits those with a spirit of adventure.
Nestled within the rugged landscape, the Xetrypitis gorge remains a well-kept secret, far from the beaten path of mainstream tourism. Unlike its more accessible counterpart, the Skoutoularis Gorge, which attracts visitors via a road to the start of the gorge, Xetrypitis remains secluded, accessible only by foot.
The simple instruction to find this hidden wonder is to venture along the Makaris river upstream. Access can be found to the dry bed along the road between the villages of Massari and Malona. On the Malona side of the river bridge is a junction where the road to Apollona briefly follows the river and as the road leads away, a well worn track diverges down to the start of this expedition.
A journey to the gorge from the river bridge and returning back the way you came is around 10km total distance. Starting from the bus stop at the Massari crossroads will increase the distance to 14km. The route taken by Griffmonsters Walks, incorporating a return journey around the other side of the mountain results in a 16km total distance. Do take plenty of water, wear a hat and sturdy walking shoes or boots. This is definitely a trek for the experienced walker.
The initial section is fairly simple, a walk on well defined tracks along the river bed lead through to the valleys beyond the hills that overlook Massari. A destroyed concrete dam that once crossed the wide river is testament to the power and force of the waters during periods of heavy rain. After this monument to the waters destruction, the track leads across the river bed and follows some scrub which is easier going before meeting back with the river where it directly crosses to lead into the lush valley beyond.
From this point, a more challenging adventure is in prospect where the journey to the gorge is not for the faint of heart. The obvious way ahead is to continue along the river bed where you will encounter a challenging terrain of shifting gravel and scattered debris, remnants of winter's tumultuous rains. This can be slow progress but perseverance will win through for those with enough determination.
There is an alternative track that follows the left hand side of the river, dipping in and out of the gravel. On return this track is more obvious to find. For those venturing out, where the path leads directly across the river bed, on the far side where the track leads into the valley, there is a rough track that follows the river upstream which is far easier than negotiating the bed itself. Whatever route you choose, it should be remembered that winter rains can change these tracks and trails with each year.
As you forge ahead, the landscape transforms, with hills hemming in the course of the river and presenting the expectation that a gorge will reveal itself around the next bend. And then, there it is in its full glory, two narrow passages flanked by towering cliffs that seem to converge, creating a dramatic entrance to the heart of the gorge. Here, the sheer scale of nature's artistry unfolds before you, as the gorge narrows to a mere 2-3 meters wide, enveloping you in its majestic embrace.
Venturing deeper, the gorge unveils its secrets, calcite deposits cling to the walls and stalactites hang from ledges. A tree trunk is wedged between the cliffs some 10 metres above, a gentle stream trickles through the stones, a haven for wildlife and lush vegetation flourishing in the wake of past torrents. With each step, the scenery evolves, offering vistas of unparalleled beauty and wonder.
Photos will never do this gorge justice. Words cannot capture the sheer awesome scene of standing there dwarfed in this narrow and deep gulley. It is an amazing work of nature, at its narrowest no more than 2-3 metres wide. I therefore leave you with images to tempt you to make your own expedition.
Directions
1. Take the bus to the Massari crossroads. It should be noted that some buses do run through the village in which case alight in the centre of the village.
2. Follow the road through the village. Eventually you pass a water tower on the left and the road leads out into the country side.
3. Proceed for another 1km. You will pass a football ground on the left before eventually coming to the river bridge. The road is not busy.
4. Turn left immediately after the bridge to follow the Appollona road down the side of the river.
5. After 500m, where the road diverges away from the river, continue onward onto a track which will lead down to the river bed.
6. Keep to the track for a further 2km. This initially follows the left hand bank, then crosses to the right hand bank, through some scrub to then directly cross back to the other side of the river bed
7. On reaching the left hand side of the river, the track diverges into two separate directions, take the right fork that follows the river.
8. After 250m there is a junction where a track recrosses the river. Take this but do not cross the river, instead follow the rough track alongside the river. It should be noted that winter rains may result in the tracks not being obvious and one should proceed on the best way forward keeping close to the river or dropping down to the river bed where necessary
9. Keep following the track for 1.2 km. This navigates across scrub and the stony debris at the edge of the river bed.
10. Eventually the track peters outs, at which point one needs to drop down onto the river bed. At this point the river narrows as it enters the hills.
11. After a further 450m you enter the river gorge, the entrance being a narrow slit between tall vertical cliffs.
12. Continue up stream as far as you like. The initial 600m is the most spectacular and beyond this it opens out a little more.
13. Return is retracing ones steps back, or, at step 7 take the track through the valley - see Massari River Valley Circular Walk for full details. An alternative route would be to continue through the gorge where a path leads up the steep hillsides to the Apollona road. This would be an arduous climb and we here are Griffmonsters Walks have not validated the route, therefore we cannot say how challenging this would be. Once on the road, there is a long road walk back down to where the walk starts.
Summary of Document Changes
Last Updated: 2024-05-14
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