Polilimnio Waterfalls Hike & Swim with Hotel Pickup

4.99

(384 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way our guide, Giorgos, handed me a fig from his pocket before we even left Kalamata. He just smiled and said, “You’ll need the sugar.” I didn’t think much of it until we hit the trail at Polilimnio—there’s this earthy smell, wet leaves and stone, and you can hear water somewhere below long before you see it. We were only about 35km out of town but it felt like another world already.

The path isn’t wide—sometimes you have to squeeze past ferns or step over roots—and there are these little lakes tucked between rocks, each one clearer than the last. At one point I tried to count them but lost track after seven or eight. Giorgos pointed out wild herbs growing near the water (I tried to pronounce “diktamo,” failed, he laughed). The air was warm but every so often a cool breeze would come off the water. You could hear other hikers ahead splashing and shouting in Greek—kids mostly, all energy.

When we finally reached the big waterfall—30 meters high, white spray everywhere—I just stood there for a minute. It’s loud up close and cold if you stand in the mist too long. A couple of us jumped in (I hesitated but did it anyway). My skin tingled for ages after. We shared some snacks by the rocks—nothing fancy, just fruit and something sweet from Giorgos’ backpack—and nobody really wanted to leave right away. There’s something about swimming in that kind of place that sticks with you longer than you’d think.