Despite the increased popularity, in recent years, of villages in the Peloponnese’s Arcadia mountain range, now winter and summertime attractions, the region’s Vrontos waterfall has remained somewhat of a secret.
The waterfall is familiar only to visitors who have extensively explored the Arcadia mountain range. Though occasionally referred to as the Vrontos waterfalls, it should be pointed out that there is only one waterfall here.
Even so, it is spectacular, and offers powerful, cascading waters, hence its name, not derived from any synonymous nearby village but by the Greek word meaning “thunder”, in reference to the noise made by the water as it plunges from a height of 17 metres, amid a lush, forested area.
Spring and summer are the best times to experience this waterfall, when the snow and ice has melted for strong flow, to the nearby Alfeios river, just metres away.
Plane trees and broad-leaved trees create a magical forest setting. Temperatures here remain cool even during hot summer days. Canoeing, kayaking and rafting may be enjoyed in the area courtesy of the nearby Alfeios river, should you wish to combine your visit to the waterfall with such water sports. During the warmer months, mountain water enthusiasts can swim in the waterfall’s waters, still cold but pure.
Whilst in the area, visitors should also make the effort to see the Koukos stone bridge, which, in the past, facilitated trading activity between Gortynia and Andritsaina. Nowadays, the bridge simply links the villages Vlachorraptis and Kotylio.
This bridge is situated at an area locally known as Tria Alonia, very close to the waterfall and reached on foot. It crosses the Alfeios river’s narrowest and rockiest point.
Field experts consider the bridge to be a 19th century miracle of engineering, crediting master builder Antonis Katsianos for his achievement, an impressive bridge, 34 metres high, built in 1880. According to local legend, he succeeded where many craftsmen before him failed, thanks to his idea to support the project’s scaffolding with netting hung from trees.
As for the Koukos stone bridge’s name, it is believed, according to oral tradition, to hail from a dispute between a local man named Koukos, who was stabbed to death by his godfather over a livestock farming dispute. On starless nights, the voice of the victim, cursing his killer, can still be heard in the air, legend has it. According to another more convincing explanation, the name Koukos is derived from an infamous animal thief in the region, who financed the bridge’s construction.
How to get there
To reach the waterfall, begin from Karytaina, one of the most renowned destinations in the Arcadia mountain range. Take the regional road headed for Andritsaina in the Ilia region. After 7km, look out for a signpost indicating the way to the Vrontos waterfall. Turn here and follow a dirt road followed by a cement-surfaced downhill stretch. The waterfall is 3km from this point. The closest village to the waterfall, Vlachorraptis, also known as Maratha, is approximately 4km from the waterfall.
Read also:
Kotza Orman: Extensive, jungle-like riverside forest in Greece’s north
Panta Vrehei: Miracle of Evrytania region’s wild nature with waterfalls
Lake Chimaditis: an amazing, yet little-known wetland in Florina
