Vouraikos Canyon
Vouraikos canyon is mentioned in the myth of Hercules when he pulled his sword cutting the rock "Portes" in half, which blocked the passage to Eurystheus, or according to others to his beloved Voura, daughter of Eliki.
From Voura comes the name Vouraikos, whose ancient name was Erasinos. But the myth is only one reason, and the unique, unsurpassed beauty is another reason, that brings thousands of tourists to the region, which has been declared the most spectacular railway line in the Balkans.
Vouraikos valley used to be a lake, like the whole area around Kalavryta. The waters sought outlet to the sea thus shaping this canyon which was later handed over to the river which continues to shape it in a way that the greatest sculptor would envy.
Vouraikos canyon begins 3 km north of the village of Kato (lower) Zachlorou, at an altitude of 730 meters and continues alongside the river, heading 20 kilometers to reach the village of Diakopto, a journey lasting one hour.
Waterfalls streams, caves with stalactites and stalagmites, the rich vegetation of alternating plane-trees, olive trees and oleanders, provides a unique, alomost primitive scenery.
These inaccessible place was "tamed" with absolute respect on March 10, 1896, when the rack railway began its journey. The slope of the line does not allow the movement of a typical train, so between the rails there are cogs that allow the operation of a mechanism called "teeth", which allows ascending from the sea level to Kalavryta station, at an altitude of 750 meters. The train line is shorter in width than European standards (0.75 m). Today the train with two wagons and a small diesel- electric power unit begins its journey from the station of Diakopto and climbs to Kalavryta passing at first the normal section of the line and then it uses the "teeth" to enter the first narrowing of the canyon and stops at the village of Niamata. The train runs through small tunnels where, among the small openings the visitor will distinguish the opposite bank of a large rockshelter, with successive cavernous rooms, where stalagmites have formed upright columns resembling a full courtroom with judges, president and prosecutor. There has never been an accident in the history of the Rack.
Information:
Diakopto Station 2691 043206
Kalavryta Station 2692 022245
Hellenic Train Organization 1110
Source: www.kalavrita.gov.gr