The remnants of the past will captivate you, while the beautiful waterfalls and lush landscape will make you not want to leave! The Black Cave gorge in Evrytania, well hidden in a forested mountain, invites you to experience another era. After the history lesson, enjoy a swim in the crystal clear waters beneath the green slopes of the area. One thing’s for sure, you will want to come back for more.
The Black cave gorge is located next to the famous village of Prousos in Evritania. It is definitely one of the most beautiful and easily accessible natural attractions of Evritania. The spot is not far from Karpenisi -the capital city of Evrytania- and Prousos. Also, the trail can be easily hiked during all times of the year.
In addition, the access to the beginning of the trail via car is quite good and can be done even with a conventional vehicle all seasons of the year.
The path to the Black cave gorge
The path to the Black cave gorge starts about halfway along the road that leads from the village of Proussos to the village of Tornos in Evrytania. To be precise, it starts in front of the small bridge in the middle of the road and is well-marked. At first, you will walk for a maximum of 20 minutes through the lush pine forest until you reach the lower waterfall. Continue for another 20 minutes until you reach the small bridge that crosses the stream. There, after climbing the last part of the path, you will reach the Βlack cave. In general, the path is easy, although there are some hills and you need to be very careful where there are rocks and water as you can slip. At the point where there is the last bridge, there is the starting point of the Via Ferrata path, which requires the necessary skills and equipment to cross.
The history of the black cave
Hidden in the vast mountains of Evrytania, the black cave was once a shelter for the inhabitants of the region from the war and the Turkish occupation. This is even confirmed by the large stone wall that survives today inside the cave. It is reported that the site was probably used as a place of worship in ancient times. It is also very likely that in later years the site was used as a church or ascetarium. When you reach the site you can carefully enter the stone wall and imagine for a few minutes what life might have been like inside there in the old days.
Best season to visit
Summer in the Black Cave gorge
Summer is the ideal time to visit the gorge. It is literally an oasis of coolness, as the stream holds its water all year round and most of it is protected by the shade of the trees. So after your walk in the Black Cave, you can enjoy a dip in the crystal clear waters.
Winter in the Black Cave gorge
Although the site is not suitable for swimming in winter, it is still accessible despite the low temperatures in the area. If you visit in winter, make sure you have suitable clothing and footwear, as the path can be slippery in places due to ice. One thing is for sure, the scenery will captivate you at any time of year.
Via ferrata in the Black cave gorge
On the last bridge of the route, you will come across the so-called “iron path” or via ferrata. This is a special type of trail that requires special equipment and skills to cross. If you do not have the necessary knowledge and equipment, you can do the route with a specialist and after proper training. With a simple internet search, you can find several groups that offer this service. The route is certainly worth it, as the whole canyon is full of beautiful waterfalls and unique formations.
Location of the Black cave gorge
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