Inachos Canyon

On Mount Artemisio, a mountain in the Peloponnese located at the border of the prefectures of Argolis and Arcadia, with its highest peak reaching 1,771 meters, the river Inachos begins, which flows into the Argolic Gulf. The first section is a canyon, and the second is a river, covering a total distance of 38 kilometers.

The canyon starts from the Karyes-Nestani road, while the river is also fed by the source of the Kapareli settlement. It has many marshy or dry outlets, which either disappear underground or create marshes and extensive wetlands, such as the lake southeast of Tourla peak. In its upper reaches, it intersects the ancient Klimaka path, and near the settlement of Lyrkeia, ruins can be found on its left bank, as well as at the Paleokastraki site.

During the period of Turkish rule in Greece, a mill owned by Berber Ali was located at its mouth, and the stagnant waters of the river formed vast marshlands. According to mythology, the name Inachos was the third name of the river. Initially, it was called Karmanor, later Aliakmonas, named after a resident of Tiryns who, in a fit of madness, fell into the river. The river was later renamed Inachos after the hero of the same name, who was the father of Io.

The Inachos canyon is large, with more than 40 descents of small, medium, and large size. It can be approached either from the village of Karyes in Argolis or from the northeast stani. Inside the canyon, there are at least 10 to 12 streams that supply it with water throughout the year.

The canyon requires caution when there is a lot of water (particularly during strong weather phenomena) because it is the only water outlet in the wider area, gathering many ravines and small canyons, resulting in large volumes of water. The first section of the river has water flow during the winter and spring months. In the first part, there are 12 small descents up to 12 meters, secured with double anchors using single or double expansion bolts.

At the opening the canyon makes before the long 22-meter descent (where the second section begins), there are exits to both the left and right, marked by wire ropes and distinct red markings seen in many places. The second section is more impressive as it includes more technical descents. The first is the long 22-meter descent, followed by two more technical ones, with a total of seven descents.

In 2019, the Base Outdoor Activities Exploration Team, led by Vassilis Peponakis, installed new plaques throughout the canyon in collaboration with the Municipality of Argos. Team members also included Niki Stasinopoulou, Orestis Apostolopoulos, Konstantinos Stasinopoulos and Aimilios Apostolopoulos. The first and second sections of the canyon are suitable for beginners and families all year round, as there are no particularly challenging spots. BOA Base Outdoor Activities organizes descents of the Inachos canyon throughout the year for groups and families.