Adventure in Arcadia
Graham
Wood
spends
an
adrenaline-raising
Sunday
hurtling down icy rapids in a
floating ‘hot-dog’ with a Cretan
named Frank
With Frank flapping rather than paddling and my steering
somewhat rudderless we – well, I – fell at the first hurdle,
spinning around a rock with yours truly ending up in the river
With its stunning landscapes, ancient ruins and sprawling
olive groves, the Arcadia region of the Peloponnese showcases
some of Greece’s most spectacular natural beauty. It is also
home to the Loussios river, or ‘The Wash’, where Zeus himself
was said to have bathed, a body of water which boasts some of
Greece’s best opportunities for an increasingly popular
outdoor sport – rafting.
Rafting activities operate in Arcadia all year round, but the
ideal time to experience the unique thrill of hurtling down
the crisp, cool waters of the Loussios is from November to
June, when water levels are at their highest.
Rivers are rated on a points system from 1 to 6, the latter
being the most difficult. The Loussios is rated between 2 and
3, which makes it perfect for novices.
Several companies offer rafting and other activities in the
area, but I chose the aptly named Peripeteia (‘adventure’ in
Greek). The company provide all the necessary clothing and
equipment, including wetsuits, spray jackets, paddles, helmets
and life jackets, and facilities at the base camp include
changing rooms, showers and a roaring fireplace, so all you
need to bring is your swimsuit, a towel and a pair of old
trainers – and your sense of adventure.
On a gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon, Frankgiskos (my good
friend from Crete) and I arrived at Peripeteia’s headquarters
in Karytainia – a charming mountain village 50km from
Arcadia’s capital Tripoli – ready to crank up our adrenaline
levels.
After clambering into the back of a Land Rover with two other
pairs of rafting novices, we embarked on a bumpy but enjoyable
ride down to the ‘put-in’ point. A quick but precise lesson on
the riverbank and then in the water followed, briefing us on
the directions and virtues of paddling and navigating the
boat, as well as the commands to listen out for.
Typically, rafts hold six people plus a ‘paddle captain’ – a
trained rafting instructor – so it is perfect if you want to
enjoy the experience with a group of friends. But if there are
just two of you, as in our case, the inflatable two-seater
dubbed a ‘hot-dog’ is the ideal option. For those who want to
go it alone, meanwhile, there is the lonely mono-raft.
With my vast experience of one day on a standard raft, I
plonked myself at the back of our hot-dog, nominating myself
as the brains/steering expert while giving Frank the hard work
up-front with most of the paddling. What a mistake that turned
out to be!
If the gentle cruise down the slower-moving current in the
early stages gave us the opportunity to take in some
breathtaking scenery, then the first set of rapids brought the
first taste of excitement – and considerable mouthfuls of
fresh water.
With Frank flapping rather than paddling and my steering
somewhat rudderless we – well, I – fell at the first hurdle,
spinning around a rock with yours truly ending up in the
river. The Loussios is renowned for its cold temperatures, but
my dip was more refreshing than intimidating, and with the
help of our guide I was soon back in the boat.
Success breeds confidence and we began to thrive on each set
of approaching rapids as we passed though without incident.
One of the most exciting parts involves a drop over a huge
rock and after negotiating it with the aplomb of seasoned
professionals amid jubilant, masculine screams it was time for
a quick jump into the river from a perfectly placed 4-metre
rock followed by a break for coffee and biscuits.
With caffeine and energy levels restored, it was back into the
raft for the final stretch. Now it was Frank’s turn to enjoy a
dip, after a challenging series of rapids saw him tossed
overboard just before we reached the ‘take-out’ point, where
our adventure came to an end after an immensely enjoyable
experience.
The day rounded off with hot chocolate in front of the
Peripeteia fireplace while we poured over the photographs of
our day’s exploits.
Not a bad way to spend a winter afternoon.
Rafting Hotspots
Loussios River (Karytainia), Arcadia, Peloponnese – Between
grades 2 and 3, the river runs through a densely vegetated
gorge, flowing into the Alfeios River and taking in the
spectacular Koukos bridge.
Araxthos River (Ioannina), Sterea Ellada – Offering arguably
the best rafting in the country, Arachtos has varying degrees
of difficulty amid a backdrop of stunning scenery.
Tavropos River (Evritania), Sterea Ellada – One of three
rivers that run across the region of Evritania and empty into
the artificial lake of Kremasta. With a difficulty level of
grade 2 it is ideal for beginners. The descent also features
the impressive arched stone bridge of Viniani.
For more information on rafting trips see www.peripeteia.gr or
www.outdoorsgreece.com