Skoutouljaris Gorge Circular Walk

Skoutouljaris Gorge

A circular route through the Skoutouljaris Gorge and up to the to return via the Agios Kammiri Monastery

An 8km (5 mile) hike through the Skoutouljaris Gorge and continuing up to the Plakia lakes. Return is via paths around the mountain side that connects to the Moni Kimmiri monastery. A surfaced road then leads back to the start of the gorge.

Skoutouljaris Gorge - Essential Information

Walk Statistics (calculated from GPX):

• Start location: Gorge 
• 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: 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: 07/10/2022
• Walk Time: 10:30:00 to 13:00:00
• Walkers: Griff, Kat
• Weather Conditions: Hot, clear blue skies

Walk Notes

The Skoutouljaris Gorge is one of the most visited hiking paths on the island of Rhodes, featuring a circular route that incorporates the awe-inspiring gorge and returns via the Holy Monastery Kamyri. This route is found on numerous websites, published in hiking books, and is available on maps of navigation apps. This route does require a car to reach the start/end point and there is a flat area with an olive grove at the start of the route where people park cars under the limited shade of the trees. Despite not having undertaken the complete walk ourselves, for completeness, this route is provided for those who would like to follow it.

Without a doubt the Skoutouljaris Gorge is an awesome sight to behold and anyone visiting the island who loves natural wonders should visit the gorge. The initial walk into the gorge is not too difficult, following the rocky river bed. Undertaking this in autumn, you will probably find well worn route trodden by hundreds of feet through the season and stone cairns that guide the way as you head into its hidden depths. The way head soon closes in to reveal spectacular towering cliffs on either side that must be at least 100m high.

The track along the river bed makes easy going for the start of the walk

One major hurdle in completing this spectacular and challenging route is where the gorge narrows and three huge boulders block the way ahead. For those who are agile and tall enough, this obstruction can be overcome. For others it is a case of returning to the start, although having the knowledge that the most spectacular part of the gorge has been witnessed.

An alternative route that can overcome the blockage is the hill top path from the start of the gorge which descends just after the boulders as the river widens to a broad and expansive section. This is fully described on the page titled Skoutouljaris Gorge Alternative Route.

The blocking boulders that are a severe challenge to negotiate

The photos that are on this page have been taken from the numerous visits we have walked up the gorge and the visit to Moni Kimmeri. The only section yet to be undertaken is the short section from the Plakia lake in the mountains through to Moni Kimmiri. Many others have undertaken the full route.

The gorge part of this path is quite challenging and should only be undertaken by confident hikers. Wear decent sturdy footwear and take plenty of water.

Debris and boulders litter the gorge, brought down by winter rains. Vegetation and even trees manage to grow to maturity despite the cascading waters that pass this way

Where the river bed widens, it makes easy walking

A face in the cliffs

Pools of water are found even in the early autumn

Lush greenery all over as you head up the gorge

Another easy section

The bell tower of Moni Kimmeri

The courtyard of Moni Kimmeri

The courtyard of Moni Kimmeri

The view from Moni Kimmeri

Directions

• 1. The start of this hike is where the road to Moni Kimmiri crosses the Skoutouljaris River. There is no public transport to this point.
• 2. Follow the river bed west which soon leads into the gorge.
• 3. Continue for 3.7km up the river bed. There are several obstacles to overcome on route, the most difficult being three giant boulders the block the gorge where it narrows. This forces many to return back to the start.
• 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. After 3.7km there is a track on the right that leads up to a lake, take this
• 7. To the right of the lake where the track bends to follow the perimeter of the lake, there are two tall stone cairns that mark the entrance to a footpath. Take this.
• 8. Where the path junctions with a track turn right
• 9. At the next track junction turn left
• 10. When the track runs out you have to find the best route across the scrub through to Moni Kimmiri. This is no more than 200m
• 11. Follow the road from Moni Kimmiri back down to the start

Summary of Document Changes

Last Updated: 2025-11-01

2025-11-01 : Initial publication

Related Walk Links

• Walks around Gorge