Corycian Cave

The Corycian Cave, Korykion Andron, lies at about 1,360 metres on the flank of Parnassos, an hour's rough drive and a short climb above Delphi. It is a large single chamber some sixty metres deep, its floor sloping into darkness, with stalactites and a natural terrace at the mouth looking out over the mountains. In antiquity it belonged to Pan and the Corycian nymphs, and excavation produced thousands of votive offerings, terracotta figurines, lamps, knucklebones and inscriptions covering more than a millennium of use; the Delphic Maenads climbed here for their rites. The walk up from the sanctuary at Delphi on the old Kaki Skala path takes three to four hours and is one of the finest hikes in central Greece, with the alternative of driving most of the way.

The landscape

• The main chamber - a large cave sloping down into the dark.
• The terrace mouth - a natural platform with a view over the mountains.
• The formations - stalactites and columns near the entrance.
• The Kaki Skala path - the ancient stepped route up from Delphi.

When to go

May to October; snow blocks the road in winter and the interior stays cold and wet. Take a torch, as there is no lighting of any kind. Mornings give the best light at the entrance.

What to expect

The access road is unsurfaced, rutted and slow, and a normal car needs care. The cave is unlit, damp and slippery underfoot, with no barriers, and there are no facilities. The votive finds are in the Delphi museum, not here.

Nearby

Delphi and its sanctuary lie below; Arachova and the ski centre are east.

Key facts