The valley of Vouraikos used to be a lake, like the whole area around Kalavryta. However, the waters had to find an outlet to the sea and “engraved” the magnificent gorge. Vouraikos gorge starts 3 km. north of the village of Kato Zachloro at an altitude of 730 meters and continues alongside the river covering a distance of 20 km to reach the village Diakopto.
Waterfalls, caves with stalactites and stalagmites, the rich vegetation of plane trees, fir trees, olive trees and oleanders make this primitive scenery unique in Greece.
This inaccessible part was "tamed" on March 10th, 1896 with absolute respect for its uniqueness. It was back then that the journey of the railway train (Odontotos) started. Its construction was decided by Charilaos Trikoupis in 1889 and the construction of the project began. The total cost was 3.900.000 golden drachmas. The train continues its journey through time offering wonderful moments to its passengers starting in Diakopto and passing near conglomerate rocks, tunnels and bridges, causing chills and awe.
The narrowest and most beautiful parts of the gorge are at Niamata, Portes, Triklia, Sifoni and “dikastirio” (=court), a cave where the stalagmites make the place look like a courtroom. There has never been an accident in the years of Odontotos train.
