Polylimnio Waterfalls

Polylimnio, the many lakes, is a narrow gorge where a stream drops through a series of basins, roughly fifteen of them, each with green water held between smooth rock walls and plane trees closing overhead. The path from the parking area descends to the first pools within fifteen minutes, and continues upstream over rocks and wooden steps to the largest fall, Kadi, which drops around twenty-five metres into a deep pool where most people swim. The water stays cold all summer and the gorge is shaded, which makes it a favourite escape from the Messenian heat. Flow is strong from winter through early summer and drops sharply by August; in wet weather the gorge can flood quickly and rescues have been needed.

What you actually see

• The pool chain - a series of green basins linked by small falls.
• Kadi fall - the highest drop, around twenty-five metres into a deep pool.
• The plane-tree gorge - shaded rock walls and running water.
• The stepped path - wooden stairs and rock scrambles along the stream.

When to go

May to July for water and warmth together; by late August the falls can be a trickle. Avoid entirely after heavy rain, when the gorge is dangerous. Weekends in summer are crowded.

Honest expectations

The route involves scrambling on wet rock and is genuinely slippery; proper shoes matter and flip-flops cause most of the injuries here. There are no lifeguards and phone signal is poor. Parking is limited and the last road stretch is rough.

Nearby

Kalamata lies east; Pylos, Methoni and the Messenian coast are southwest.