Arachthos and Kallaritikos River - kaykaing guide through Balkan (EP 3)

Arachthos and Kallaritikos River - episode 3 of Balkan guides with ‪@michalkuthan1998‬ Previous episode:    • Mileapotamos and Venetikos river - kayakin...   🗓️🌧️December is known as a rainy month here in Greece and heavy rains (2024) had a big impact on local infrastructure in the mountains. So keep in mind that it might be worth it to use main roads to drive around and be careful. Typically you want to be here during the spring time as the rivers are fed by snow that lays on the top of majestic mountains. 🎥🌊When ‪@michalkuthan1998‬ came to film Kallaritikos the river was very juicy and it felt like going down some tobogan but without any chance to stop. So be careful about water level if it looks high and water is more grey than clear just wait till it’s lower again. The same can be said about the main river in this area – Arachthos. 🆙☝🏼Both rivers provide an option to go for upper sections. The one at Kallaritikos is basically just about one rapid at the beginning and then it flows through a big gravel field. Upper section at Arachthos provides quite a lot of nice rapids and I would recommend it much more than the one at Kallaritikos. Lower section of Arachthos is easy but still worth going or it could be a good warm up before you get in the upper gorges. 🚐 Main reason for me to come here is a combo of lower Kallaritikos and middle Arachthos. It’s a beautiful section with 3 more difficult rapids around class III and the rest is absolutely amazing scenery 🫶 First rapid is at the beginning of the gorge and it’s a small drop. ❗️But with higher water level it can be much more demanding ❗️ Other rapids are at the end of Arachthos river and there is nothing to be scared of. Put-in is at the bridge just above Kallaritikos gorge - where the artificial weir is. Take out from this section is at a roman bride or you can paddle the lower section as well. ✋In total there are five sections in this area so it’s quite a lot of paddling. It’s perfect to divide it into two days. Arachtos is suitable for kayaks, canoes and rafts as well. But I wouldn’t recommend going to Kallaritikos with raft. 🏯📍Pretty close to the put-in at Upper Kallaritikos river you can find a monastery called Moni Kipas. Old building situated in a huge wall just above a very deep canyon. That’s something you shouldn’t miss if you are around. 🇬🇷Both rivers are definitely worth coming to Greece. I am always surprised how magnificent this place is. I had a great time on the water there. 🌊 Arachthos 🌊 Difficluty: WW II (III) Length: 20 + 7 + 13km When to go: All year around Suitable for kayak, canoe, raft Recommended sections: Upper Put-in 39.63950,21.01480 Take-out 39.51170,21.00670 Middle Put-in 39.51170,21.00670 Take-out 39.45470,21.03330 Lower Put-in 39.45470,21.03330 Take-out 39.36850,21.05140 🌊 Kallaritikos 🌊 Difficluty: WW II (III+) Length: 5 + 8km When to go: Spring snowmelt or rainy season (autunm) Suitable for kayak Recommended section - lower: Put-in 39.53950,21.05810 Take-out 39.51170,21.00670