Gaia’s Mythical cave Hiking Corycian Cave

ACTIVE PERIOD: April - November
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: 1

DURATION: 2,5 - 3 hrs
MINIMUM PARTICIPANTS: 1

Gaia’s Mythical Cave - Hiking Corycian Cave

Price from €40

Overview

A hike for those who love places full of nature’s energy! An exploration of a mythological place, the Corycian Cave dedicated to Gaia and her daughters the nymphs.

We hike through a lush fir forest for about an hour to the Corycian Cave. Its entrance is hidden at the summit of Palaiovouna hill. From there you have a splendid view to the higher summits of Mount Parnassos, the altitude plateau and the sea! Dedicated to the Corycian Nymphs and the god Pan (god of the wild life), the cave is known not only for its beauty but also for its ancient myth, proclaiming that it was visited by divine spirits. It was formed by underground waters in ancient times. Scientific research showed that the cave was inhabited from the Neolihic era and the abundant finds date back from the Neolithic to the Classical period. The cave is connected to Delphi by an ancient footpath pilgrims use to follow in ancient times. Its rock walls, sculpted by the waters reveal us fascinating figures such as “the witch”, “the rabbit”, “the thinker”.

This pleasant hike will make you feel the vibrations of a cave considered by the ancients to be the center of the ancient world.

View on map

Itinerary

Meeting point: Livadi, Arachova Altitude plateau
Meeting time: 09.00
End of activity: 12.00

Highlights

Discover the wild National Park of Mt. Parnassos
Visit a mythical cave

DISTANCE: 6 km hiking
ASCEND: 300
DESCEND: 300

General Info

DURATION

2,5 - 3 hrs

ACTIVE PERIOD

April - November

PRICE

2024

40€/ person for min 4-7 participants
50€/ person for 3 participants
65€/ person for 2 participants
130€/ person for 1 participant

2025

41€/ person for min 4-7 participants
52€/ person for 3 participants
66€/ person for 2 participants
133€/ person for 1 participant

Analytical timetable

09:00 Meet in Livadi Arachova Altitude plateau
09:30 - 10:30 Hike to the cave
10:30 - 11:00 Visit the cave / snack break
11:00 - 12:00 Hike back to the starting point

Participation requirements

Basic physical condition
Age 8 to 75 years

Tour inclusions

English speaking Trekking Hellas guide
Snack
Taxes
Liability insurance

Tour exclusions

Anything not mentioned above

Equipment

Small backpack
Hiking shoes (obligatory)
Comfortable clothes
Waterproof jacket
Hat or beanie, sunglasses, sunblock
Your own personal water bottle. As part of our environmental policy and action plan, we are committed to eliminating the use of plastic water bottles.

Gallery

Reviews

We had a delightful time!
Georgios and Eleni (and Kostis too! And Penny at the museum!) were just the most amazing hosts for our recent hike/tour of the Delphi area. We learned so much, ate so much good food, and truly felt like we got an inside peek into Greek life. Our kids had a great time, even when it poured rain...they especially loved the Cave of Pan, they said they felt Pan! It was utterly charming.
I would highly recommend Trekking Hellas to anyone interested in seeing Greece on foot and with locals steeped in knowledge, insight and personal touches.

jessa_boutte

I enjoyed everything about this tour- the drive up into the mountains, the views during the hike to Pan’s cave, exploring inside Pan’s cave, and the delicious tea and snacks that Hilda, our guide, prepared for us. Hilda’s knowledge about the mythology and current stories about the region made the tour even more memorable. This off the beaten track tour is totally worth it!!

Deborah G

Trekking in Delphi and Mount Parnassos, seat of the Muses – what an experience! First of all I would like to thank all the team in Arachova, the two Georges, Nikos and their wives Effie and Eleni for their commitment and kindness. In the house of Nikos and Effie I enjoyed for the first time in my life a meal of a ragout of wild boar. Thank you again for a pleasant evening and a delicious meal!

On the first two days I walked with George on the old path the pilgrims used to take on their way to question the oracle of Delphi, through olive groves and forests. On the third day Nikos and his wife Effie took me high up to approx. 2000 m in altitude though the skiing area of Mount Parnassos and on the last two days I visited the famous cave of god Pan and a second even bigger one, where according mythology young ladies used to dwell. The trips included a visit to a shepherd who served us Tsipouro and Feta cheese. Delicious!

If you like trekking and at the same time learn many interesting things about history and today’s life in Greece, you will have a great time.

Monica Trachsel