One of the most popular travel activities in mountainous Arcadia is rafting down the river Lucius. The route that goes from Lucius-Alfeios is considered one of the best rafting routes in all of Greece. If you find yourself in the mountainous Arcadia and the villages of Gortynia combine the end of the trip with the benefits of exercise and live a unique experience on its watery paths. You don't need to be a particularly athletic type to go rafting, nor is any other qualification or knowledge required apart from of course knowing how to swim. Nature lovers and those who love the water, if you try it, you will definitely love it and want to repeat it.
The Lucius, the most important tributary of the Alpheus River, mainly originates from the plateau of Karkalou, a small village between Vytina and Lagadia, and ends up in the Alpheus River, having crossed a gorge of stunning natural beauty, 15 km long and over 300 meters high. The river has such crystal clear waters, like spring water, that you want to suck in with longing on hot summer days. They call you to dive into them and make you feel… demigod, considering that in its waters, according to legend, the nymphs washed Zeus when he was a baby, hence its name. However, if you do decide to take the plunge be prepared for the chill as the water in the river is consistently at around 13°C.
Every river has a degree of difficulty which we could translate as a degree of adventure. The Lucius has a difficulty grade of 2+ and the Alpheus 3, which practically means that things are easy to moderate. The route has regular passages, small eddies, low speed, easy obstacles and many eddies, i.e. quiet places to stop and relax. There may be small waves when flowing with foam, small steep drops and significant manoeuvring may be required. But the small doses of tension will in no way make you think "what am I doing here".
The routes on the Lucius and Alpheus are implemented throughout the year. In the summer, when the waters are calm, you can attempt it as a family. If you still decide to raft in winter it needs caution. You have to choose suitable winter days or even better you have to contact the company in advance because if there is heavy rainfall and the river is overfilled there are safety reasons. Weather conditions and water levels determine the age limits to participate. As an indication, those over 6 years old can participate in June-September, May & October those over 8 years old, and November - March those over 16.
There are many points from which you can get very close to the Lucius River and admire its beautiful stone, arched bridges, such as the Kokkoris Bridge at the Ancient Gortynos point and the Achicholo Bridge. Below them, the Lousios river rushes by, as rushing as it needs to be to make a river of water.
Near Karytaina, at the bridge of Atsicholo, the boats are thrown into the water and the professional river guide initially trains you in the necessary techniques of descent. You, with the necessary equipment (full body isothermal suit, windbreaker, life jacket, helmet, neoprene socks) provided by the company that undertakes the excursions, get into the boat and with the paddle in hand get ready to live the experience, the adventure is just beginning. Lucius may not be one of the longest rivers in Greece (it is 23 km long), but it is one of the most beautiful. Paddling in tune through the gorge, you have the opportunity to traverse the hidden, inaccessible to the rest of the world, beauty. The imposing cliffs on both sides of the river create fascinating passages and natural obstacles are encountered which are avoided with the appropriate commands from the experienced instructor-guide leading the crew. The route ends at the River Alpheus, with the finish at the historic Koukos Bridge. This stone-built bridge is located in the narrowest rocky passage of the Alpheus, in Maratha (Vlahorrafti), where the adventure bases of the outdoor activities company are located and where all the "aspiring" rafters make appointments on weekends or even on weekdays, if prior arrangement has been made.
For the more "adventurous" with the end of the Lucius-Alfeios route, the experience continues if you want it in the gorge of Alpheus, after making a stop before and walking a few minutes to the impressive waterfall of Vrontos. Even if you are a first-timer, if you are over 16 and in good physical condition, follow the life-giving course of the river without fear. Just be aware that things get a little tricky here. Remember though, more difficulty equals increased adrenaline and more fun. So leaving the Cucus Bridge behind, the vertical cliffs of the canyon get narrower and narrower, there are places that require quick and strong paddle manipulations, the waves are bigger and the speed is increased. On the route you will also encounter an exciting 4th degree passage where stamina, precise handling and definitely more attention are required. Every minute of the route that ends below the village of Paleokastro is so intense and the scenery created by the steep cliffs of the gorge so ecstatic that it will be indelibly imprinted in your memory.
During the summer months, night descents are also organised on the wonderful Arcadian rivers. Consider rafting under the night sky with the moonlight that in some places disappears under the dense vegetation and total darkness prevails. The conditions on such a descent are special and the senses are in overdrive. In an almost otherworldly setting, with the same starting point, the same route, a descent duration of more than 1:30 hours and the end point again the Bridge of Koukos, the experience is more than unique, it's magic.
At the end of the route, warm food, wine and tsipouro await the rafters and free camping is available for those who wish to spend the night under the stars on the banks of the river. Participation in night rafting in Lucius and Alpheus requires participants to be over 18 and have good physical condition, previous rafting experience and of course swimming knowledge.
Rafting is an outdoor activity purely a team activity. So, first of all, find the right "crew" for your boat, which can be your company, your children or your partner and visit Lucius and Alpheus. When you attempt it, know in advance that you will get wet so through the equipment that the company will supply, it is advisable to wear swimwear or shorts as well as to have at your disposal trainers that will get wet, a towel and a selection of dry clothes so that you don't freeze after the long descent is over. Just because you're sure to get wet, don't take a cell phone or other gadget unless it's a waterproof action cam that you can keep secured somewhere on you. For night rafting you should additionally bring personal hygiene items , a torch, warm clothes and camping gear such as a tent, sleeping bag etc.
Trekking Hellas is one of the companies that undertakes rafting trips on the rivers Lucius and Alpheus and the cost per person ranges from 50€ - 60€ approximately.