Kalavryta and the Rack Railway: Vouraikos Gorge, Caves and Monasteries

Kalavryta, a mountain town in the north Peloponnese, is famous for one of the most spectacular train rides in Europe: the narrow-gauge rack railway that climbs from the coast at Diakopto through the Vouraikos gorge. Add caves, monasteries, history and a ski centre, and you have a perfect two-day trip in any season.

The rack railway (Odontotos)

Opened in 1896, the line runs for about 22 km from Diakopto, on the Gulf of Corinth, up to Kalavryta. On the steepest sections – up to 17.5% – a toothed rack under the train pulls it up the mountain. The route follows the river through tunnels, along cliffs and over small bridges, with a stop at Kato Zachlorou, the station for the monastery of Mega Spileo. The ride takes about an hour each way.

Tip: sit on the side facing the river, and book ahead at weekends and holidays. Check the current timetable before you go.

Mega Spileo

The “Great Cave” monastery is built into a huge cliff above the gorge, one of the oldest monasteries in Greece. It can be reached on foot from Zachlorou station or by road.

The Cave of the Lakes

Near the village of Kastria, the Cave of the Lakes has a series of underground lakes on different levels, connected by small natural dams. A walkway leads through the visitable part of the cave.

Kalavryta and Agia Lavra

The town itself is lively, with tavernas and shops of local products. Nearby, the monastery of Agia Lavra is a symbol of the Greek War of Independence of 1821. The memorial on the hill above town remembers the victims of December 1943.

Winter: the Helmos ski centre

From December to March, the ski centre on Mount Helmos, a short drive from Kalavryta, is one of the most popular in the Peloponnese and an easy weekend from Athens.

Getting there

Diakopto is about 2 hours from Athens and Kalavryta about 2½ hours. A good plan: a private transfer to Diakopto, the train up the gorge, and your driver waiting for you in Kalavryta with your luggage – no backtracking.

See: private transfer Athens – Diakopto · Athens – Kalavryta · Lagkadia – Patras port.