Hiking Polylimnio Waterfalls
A kids-friendly adventure at the gorge of Polylimnio waterfalls, with splish-splash swims in the waterfalls and picnic lunch
The Place
The gorge of Polylimnio waterfalls is a paradise on earth and one of the hidden gems of the Peloponnese. Polylimnio means many lakes, and this is exactly what you discover. There are numerous freshwater lakes on many levels with aqua blue waters created by spectacular waterfalls. Water flows from one lake to another, and the hiker can cross the gorge through a clear path, small bridges, and metal aiding handles.
The Trip
We meet at the Polylimnio parking near the village of Haravgi, where our hike starts towards the gorge. We walk into a magical but real natural paradise, passing along lakes and spectacular waterfalls. Our hike will take up to two hours, and it is suitable for kids as there is no significant altitude difference. As you hike through the gorge, you will be greeted with a breathtaking view at every turn. The aqua-blue waters of the lakes are mesmerizing, and the waterfalls echoing through the canyon are truly magical. Your guide will take you to even more lakes that few people know about.
These hidden lakes offer a peaceful and secluded spot for swimming or taking a break from hiking. Swimming in the lakes is optional; however, a swim into the lake and under the waterfall will be refreshing and the perfect reward. At the end of the hike, you will enjoy a hearty picnic with traditional local delicacies and relax by one of the lakes.
Seeking more thrills? Discover Canyoning & Zipline at Polylimnio for the ultimate waterfall adventure!
What's included
- Local mountain guide.
- Helmet.
- Tour planning.
- Picnic with local products.
- Photographs from the tour.
- All taxes.
Not included
- Transfer to the meeting point.
- Tip or gratuity.
Know before you book
- A minimum number of 4 participants is required for this activity to take place.
- No previous experience is required.
- Good physical and mental condition.
- Parental accompaniment is required for minors to take part in this activity.
- A written waiver form is compulsory to be filled in before taking part in this activity.
Know before you go
- Bottle of water (please bring your full bottle of water).
- Swimwear (optional).
- Hat.
- Sunscreen.
- Hiking shoes or trainers (open shoes, sandals, or flip-flops are unsuitable).
- Hiking backpack (if available).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need previous experience?
No, many of our customers are first-timers. This trip is easy to catch up and beginners can complete a decent journey on their first-time hiking trip. All of our trips are about journeying. We walk at a relaxed pace; we learn on the move and enjoy the natural environment. If you are a group of experienced hikers wanting to complete a demanding journey then a private trip would be the best option.
Is this hiking trip suitable for families with kids?
Absolutely Yes! A hiking trip is a wonderful way for your child to explore the outdoors. There are so many reasons to love a hiking trip with kids. Watching them gain confidence when outdoors, gives them the chance to see places from a different perspective, teaching them about the natural environment.
What is the minimum age for a kid to join this hiking trip?
Kids from 8 years old may join a standard group trip or a private trip. We always walk with kids at a relaxed pace allowing them to learn and have fun.
What kind of fitness level do I need to take part?
Relatively good physical condition is required. Keep in mind that the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the journey. We’ll take plenty of breaks and walk at an achievable pace.
What is the size of a group?
From 4 participants up to 12 people on our standard group trips. Most of our groups consist of couples, families, and individuals. We can also cater to smaller groups on private trips.
What is the trip best suited for me, and how do I choose?
All of our trips are designed to be suitable for everybody. Each one has its unique characteristics. The best way to choose a trip among others is to check which one departs closer to the place you are staying.
Do you offer private trips?
Yes, we can organize a private tour, standard or tailor-made, just for you, your family, or your friends.
Should I book a standard trip or a private trip?
If you are happy to hike with a mixed group or don’t want to spend as much money then booking a standard group trip is the best way to go. Private trips really work best with groups of experienced hikers or groups of friends who want to do something a bit different, would like to do a more advanced journey or just want to have privacy and enjoy the trip just themselves.
Is lunch provided?
Yes, simple, nutritious, and flavorsome, the food is one of the pleasures during our trips. Halfway we make a relaxing stop at a nice place to taste a picnic with freshly baked bread, organic garden-grown fruits and vegetables, homemade olive oil, and cheese.
What route will we take?
We usually perform our tours within a certain route aiming to visit the most beautiful spots each trip has to offer; however, your guide is likely to choose an alternative route that suits the conditions on the day and the experience and needs of the group. This is the safest and best way to operate hiking trips.
Where do I park my car?
You can park your vehicle safely and for free near our meeting point. Feel free to ask us about parking conditions for a specific trip.
What happens if the weather is unsuitable?
A hiking trip is either canceled, and we return your money, or arranged for another day.
How can I book a trip?
You can fill out the online booking form for Hiking Polylimnio Waterfalls or the trip you want to participate in. Start with a Hike, return for the thrill of Canyoning!
Sustainability
At Explore Messinia, we are dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism and safeguarding the natural splendour of the landscape for future generations. Our hiking tours reflect this commitment to environmental stewardship in several significant ways. By navigating on foot, we eliminate the need for fossil fuels, ensuring a minimal carbon footprint and a quiet, eco-friendly exploration of the region.
Read more
We strongly encourage all participants to bring a reusable water bottle to reduce the dependence on plastic throwaways. Staying hydrated is essential, but it doesn’t have to come at the cost of our planet’s health. Refillable bottles can be topped up before the hike to ensure you have sufficient water for the journey.
Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond equipment and personal habits. We weave environmental stewardship into our hiking tours. Guides will provide space and bags for small clean-ups during the trek, encouraging participants to help maintain and enhance the condition of the trails and natural areas we visit. We ask everyone to collect any plastic or other debris encountered along the way, ensuring that we leave the locations better than we found them.
By adhering to these sustainable practices, together we can ensure that the magnificent landscapes we explore remain pristine and that our hiking experiences continue to be environmentally friendly and enriching for every participant.
You can read more about our Sustainability Policy and Code of Conduct here.
What our guests say
Tucked away in a cool gorge in Greece's Peloponnese region, the Polylimnio waterfalls offer a magical escape. The stunning series of turquoise pools is an unforgettable reward, but the trail to get there is more adventurous than you might expect. While the physical effort and rocky ground demand proper footwear and a sense of adventure, having an expert guide (George is the BEST!) and a delicious, traditional lunch waiting for us made the journey an absolute pleasure. We came for the waterfalls, but left with incredible memories, fantastic photos, and full stomachs. Highly recommended!
Our hike through Polylimnio was great. The lakes shimmered in aqua blue, the waterfalls were breathtaking, and the route felt calm and well paced. Our guide Fotios was outstanding from start to finish. He shared clear, engaging stories about the area, nature, and local life, and made everyone feel at ease. We loved the small personal touches, from photo memories to his homemade lunch. The organization was seamless, safety was never in doubt, and the timing was perfect for swimming and photos. We left with great memories and a big smile. Highly recommended.
Our guide George provided the experience you could only hope for as we made our way up to the large falls and pool at Polylimnio. Our grade-school age kids, not always up for outdoor adventures, absolutely loved the hike with George. Grateful for George for his deft and polite advice that the kids should consider wearing helmets as the rocky, and in places slippery, climb could easily result in a fall. None of that, however, was in the cards for us in the able hands of George with his firm but gentle tips on how best to make the climb. Lunch at the bottom of the falls after our descent was a real high point to get a sense for just how knowledgeable and well traveled George is. We look forward to doing it again!
Our guide George provided the experience you could only hope for as we made our way up to the large falls and pool at Polylimnio. Our grade-school age kids, not always up for outdoor adventures, absolutely loved the hike with George. Grateful for George for his deft and polite advice that the kids should consider wearing helmets as the rocky, and in places slippery, climb could easily result in a fall. None of that, however, was in the cards for us in the able hands of George with his firm but gentle tips on how best to make the climb. Lunch at the bottom of the falls after our descent was a real high point to get a sense for just how knowledgeable and well traveled George is. We look forward to doing it again!
We had such a great morning exploring Polylimnio waterfalls and gorge. George was a fantastic guide with lots of fun stories and interesting information. Not to mention the best picnic of all. Thank you thank you from us all!!
Tryfonas and Fotis were truly amazing guides and provided our family of five with life-changing experience that we are still talking about today. They are not only professional and knowledgeable but just really cool and down to earth guys that you could hang out with all day! It was the highlight of our 10 day trip to Greece. The setting is something you see in magazines. The picnic straight from Fotis' garden was absolutely mouthwatering. Archery was really fun.
Show all 15 reviews
An excellent experience with very professional guides. The waterfalls are absolutely breathtaking. I would highly recommend explore messinia if you are looking to explore the beauty of the region.
I absolutely was astounded by the beauty of these waterfalls. Usually you hike sometime to the waterfall to see the nice surroundings. But this hike almost immediately started with the most clear waterfalls and beautiful vegetation I have seen so far. The guide was very friendly, helpful and radiated positive energy. The hike itself was rather easy for me. At the end of the hike we were surprised with a great pick-nick that consisted out of fresh tomatoes, cucumber, carrot, olives, fresh bread, goat cheese and homemade olive oil. Desert consisted out of delicious grapes. The tour was ended by an arrow-shooting initiation which was well organised.
Loved this hike. The guide had a great vibe and told some really interesting facts about the area and the vegetation. The hike itself is not difficult if you're active and enjoy walking over some rocky terrains. The arrow shooting was nice too, we had a practice round, then did a competition between the group and then did an individiual competition. Would recommend!
It was in one word phenominal! Went with my husband hiking in Polilimnio. Great natural environment, very nice swim and a good lunch afterwards. Although you can do it yourself it was very helpful to have a guide. He knows where to go and can guide you over the rocks. Don't forget to wear good mountain shoes or sturdy sneakers. A small backpack is also useful. Must do when you are in the area.
It was a fantastic experience for the whole family!! Our children aged 4 and 6 were crazy with the route and it was a pleasant surprise that they followed it without any problems. Our guide was excellent and very good with kids.
This hiking, swimming and archery trip with tour guide was fantastic! Our sons (ages 15, 13 and 11) also enjoyed this activity. Hiking and a bit of climbing (not difficult) rewarded us with beautiful views of the waterfall and mountains. We went swimming in both waterfalls, and my husband and sons enjoyed jumping of the rocks into the water. At the end of the trip our tour guide explained us the basics of archery which was really nice. We had a little archery contest. Our tour guide Fotis and his sister Christina were very enthustiastic and told us a lot about the area and the Greek culture and history. We can certainly recommend this wonderfull activity!
A great trip through the nature of Polilimnio past beautiful waterfalls. We had a good guide who knew a lot about the area. It was more than just walking, we jumped from stone to stone, climbed along a rock and swam at a very beautiful waterfall. The guide tailored well to our needs in pace and what we wanted to do, for example; swim even more or stop a little longer at a beautiful place with butterflies. It was also very nice that the guide wanted to take pictures of us and the surroundings. He soon sent these to us. Then we got a catered lunch and we learned archery. What a fun activity! We laughed and had a lot of fun doing this. This excursion is highly recommended!
We spent a wonderful day at the Polilimnio waterfalls with our three daugthers (11-14-16 years old). An early start is a must! Trifonas was our guide and we started swimming at the gorge while the girls jumped from the rocks. We continued our trip along the water, towards an other idyllic waterfall and ended the tour with an archery contest. We all very much enjoyed the trip and Trifonas is a wonderful guide: enthousiastic, humour and very attentive!
We had a fantastic day out with our guide Trifonas, it exceeded all of our expectations! During the trip we both smashed our own goals climbing and hiking through the area with encouragement, and swimming in the waterfalls was incredible. A lovely lunch and archery combo was the icing on the cake! Totally recommend this day of paradise :)
What guests say about their days with Explore Messinia — from trips across our program:
Read all of them on TripAdvisor and Google — also featured by Lonely Planet and National Geographic Traveler.
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