Inachos Canyon

On Mount Artemisio, a mountain in the Peloponnese located on the border of the prefectures of Argolis and Arcadia, with its highest peak at 1,771 meters, the river Inachos, which ends in the Argolic Gulf, starts from its slopes The first leg is a canyon and the second is a river which covers a total of 38 km.

The canyon begins on the Karyas-Nestanis road, while the river is also fed by the source of the Kapareli settlement, at the same time having many marshy or dry outlets, which either disappear underground, or create swamps, swamps and extensive wetlands such as the lake SE of Tourla peak. In its upper reaches, it meets the ancient path of Klimaka, while in the settlement of Lyrkeia, ruins can be found on its left bank, as also at the site of Paleokastraki

During the period of the Turkish rule in Greece at its mouth there was the Berber Ali mill and the stagnant waters of the river formed extensive marshes. According to mythology the word Inachos was the third name of the river. At first it was called Karmanor, then Aliakmonas after the eponymous resident of Tiryns, who in a fit of madness fell into the river. Later, the Inachos river was named after the hero of the same name. Inachos was the father of Ios. Zeus saw Io one day and fell in love with her.

When her father, Inachus, tried to chase after Zeus, who had abducted Io, Zeus sent an Erinya, Tisiphone, who tormented him until she pushed him into the river Aliakmona. Thus the river was renamed Inacho

The canyon of Inachos is a big canyon with more than 40+ descents of small, medium and large descents. It can be approached either from the village of Karyes Argolida or from the NE stani. Inside the gorge we have at least 10 to 12 gullies that supply it with water all year round.

The gorge needs attention when there is a lot of water (measured by strong weather phenomena) because since it is the only outlet of water in the wider area and gathers many ravines and small canyons, the quantities of water are large. In the first water section we have the winter and spring months. Its first part has 12 small descents up to 12 meters and is secured with double anchors with single or double expansion plugs.

In the opening that the canyon makes before the long descent of 22 meters (where the second part begins) it has escaped both to the left and to the right of the canyon, which stands out from the wire rope that is placed as well as the red color (found everywhere) The second leg is more beautiful since it has more technical descents (the first is its long descent at 22 meters and then it has 2 more techniques) and consists of 7 descents.

In 2019, the B.O.A.X.T – Base Outdoor Activities Expedition Team led by Peponakis Vassilis and for the municipality of Argos secured and installed new plaques throughout the gorge. The first and second legs are suitable for beginners and families all year round as they have no difficult spots. BOA Base Outdoor Activities organizes descents of the Inachos canyon throughout the year for groups and families.