Canyoning in Samothraki

Canyoning (the mountain sport that involves descending a canyon along a riverbed) is just one of the many activities you can experience in Samothraki. The island is far better suited for an active vacation than for just lazing around on the beach (though the two aren't mutually exclusive), and a canyoning adventure will help you discover its landscapes, vathres (natural rock pools), and waterfalls in a completely unique way - reaching spots you might not otherwise be able to access.

Multiple canyons carve through the island's landscape across both its northern and southern slopes, making Samothraki a favorite destination for canyoning enthusiasts worldwide.

In the north, the most famous and popular canyons are those of the Fonias and Gria Vathra rivers. Other canyons are those formed by the Tsivdogiannis and Kardelis rivers (near Therma), and the Aggistros river (in the east, toward Kipos Beach).

The upper section of the Fonias River Canyon

The wildest and most spectacular canyons - but also the hardest to reach - are found in the south. To the southwest lies the Xiropotamos River canyon. In the southeast, near Pachia Ammos Beach, you'll find the canyons of the Karagiannakis and Kousiandas rivers, which originate beneath the Fengari and Louloudi peaks of Mount Saos. At an altitude of a few hundred meters, they merge with the Vatos river canyon, which ends at the isolated Vatos Beach.

Beyond this lies the canyon formed by Kremastos, famous for its waterfall that plunges directly into the sea - a spectacular sight you can admire during boat trips. Further to the east is the Gyali River canyon.

These last two are likely the wildest and least accessible canyons on Samothraki, requiring advanced experience in both canyoning and mountaineering.

What is Canyoning?

Canyoning begins with a hike to the entrance of the canyon, followed by making your way down through it, following the flow of the water. This involves scrambling over boulders or fallen tree trunks, sliding down natural waterslides smoothed out of the riverbed's granite, rappelling down waterfalls, and jumping or swimming in erosion-carved rock pools - Samothraki's famous vathres.

Specialized gear is essential for canyoning. This ranges from a neoprene wetsuit, which protects you from the low water temperatures (the rivers stay cold even in the summer), to a helmet, rope, harness, and other technical equipment designed to keep you safe.

Canyoning is a sport that should always be practiced alongside expert, certified instructors and guides. They know the mountain trails, the layout of the canyon, and the water flow, and they're there to guide, assist, and protect you. This is especially true in Samothraki, where nature is wild and sometimes unpredictable (it's no coincidence that the name of the Fonias river translates to "The Killer"). Here, trail markers are often non-existent, and the paths created in every direction by the island's many goats can easily mislead you and cause you to get lost.

Canyoning often involves rappelling down waterfalls.

Companies That Organize Canyoning Tours in Samothraki

There are several companies that organize canyoning activities on Samothraki every year, offering routes suitable for beginners as well as intermediate or advanced participants.

1. Outdoor cu Tudor

Tudor and Oana from Outdoor cu Tudor ("Outdoor with Tudor") organize canyoning tours in Samothraki every summer, a tradition they started back in 2016. They aren't just deeply in love with the island; they know it inside out, which is incredibly important when it comes to canyoning or even just mountain hiking.

Tudor has been visiting Samothraki since 2008. He has over 30 years of canyoning experience and co-founded the Romanian Canyoning Association. On top of that, he has a truly impressive background in caving, having participated in exploration expeditions all over the world.

Oana first set foot on the island in 2015. She brings her extensive experience in event planning and team-building to the table, managing all the logistics and making sure every single tour runs perfectly.

The tours organized by Outdoor cu Tudor (Samothraki Adventure Week 2026 - Canyoning, Hiking & Island Exploration) are designed for very small groups of 3 to 6 people and cater to all skill levels - from absolute beginners to advanced canyoneers. When it comes to accommodation, the choice is entirely yours, whether you prefer staying at a campsite, a guesthouse, or a hotel.

You can get in touch with Oana and Tudor via Facebook, email (outdoorcutudor@gmail.com), or phone/ WhatsApp (+40 745 043 417 - Tudor or +40 757 032 032 - Oana). During the summer (usually from mid-June to mid-July), you can find them based at Camping Varades.

In 2026, Outdoor cu Tudor is celebrating 10 years of organizing canyoning tours in Samothraki by offering participants a 10% discount when booking any of their programs.

The next canyoning trips are during the following periods:

2. Hellas Canyon

Another company that has been organizing canyoning tours in Samothraki for years is Hellas Canyon, founded by Giorgos Andreou - one of the most well-known names in Greece within this field. Their programs are split by experience level, and they require a minimum group size of 6 people.

You can contact Hellas Canyon via Facebook, Instagram, email (info@hellascanyon.com), or by calling +30 694 524 2331.