Rack Railway Diakopto Kalavrita, Trains in Vouraikos Gorge.(02/06/2013)
Camera and Montage by Alexander Sikalias
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Πεζοπορία στο Φαράγγι του Βουραικού-Trekking to gorge of vouraikos,Rack railway Greece
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Το οδοιπορικο αυτης της εβδομαδας μας φερνει στον οδοντωτο σιδηροδρομο και στο φαραγγι του Βουραικου.Η σιδηροδρομικη γραμμη Διακοπτου Καλαβρυτων γνωστη ως οδοντωτος σιδηροδρομος αποτελει εργο της περιοδου του Χαριλαου Τρικουπη.Ειναι ενα απο τα δυσκολοτερα εργα της εποχης λογω του δυσβατου της περιοχης και του μεγαλου υψομετρου.Για το λογο αυτο κατασκευαστηκε με την τεχνικη της οδοντωσης κατα την οποια το τρενο γαντζωνεται χρησιμοποιωντας καταλληλα γραναζια σε οδοντωτες σιδηροτροχιες στις διαδρομες οπου η κλιση του εδαφους ξεπερνα το 10%.Ο σιδηροδρομος περνωντας μεσα απο συραγγες και γεφυρες καταληγει επειτα απο 22 χιλιομετρα στα Καλαβρυτα εχοντας διασχυσει το φαραγγι του Βουραικου το οποιο βρισκεται στην Αχαια οπου μαζι με τον ορεινο ογκο του Χελμου αποτελουν προστατευομενη περιοχη που απο το 2009 χαρακτηριζεται ως Εθνικο Παρκο.Φτανωντας με το τρενακι στα Καλαβρυτα ξεκιναει κ η πεζοπορικη μας διασχιση του φαραγγιου.Περνωντας μεσα απο μια ιδιαιτερης φυσικης ομορφιας περιοχη εχοντας συντροφια παντα το Βουραικο ποταμο φτανουμε στο Διακοπτο.Η διαδρομη ηταν ιδιαιτερη περνωντας πανω απο γεφυρες μεσα απο συραγγες βλεποντας καταρρακτες που σχηματιζει ο ποταμος.Αποτελεσε εμπειρια για ολους μας.
Trekking at Kalavrita-Diakopto railway (Vouraikos Gorge)
About 120 years ago #Odontotos rack #railway started from the seaside town of #Diakopto parallel to the river and climbed to Kalavrita through bridges and tunnels.
Since then the #Vouraikos river and Odontotos go together.
The little train incorporated so well to the natural environment that it seems that it had always been there. The way it was constructed did not put a strain on the ecosystem of the gorge. Using stone and wood from the area the technicians' work is so perfect that someone may think that the nature worked on its own.
Odontotos is not just a train. Vouraikos gorge and Odontotos rack railway Diakopto – Kalavrita is a unique attraction in #Greece. An area full of towns, villages, hospitable inhabitants, unique environment and the scent of Greek life. (
Bonus...Some travel tips..
-It's 2-3 hours drive from Athens to Diakopto
-The Diakopto-Kalavrita railway, is 22km and it takes 60 min by train or 6-7 hrs by foot. The most picturesque part is between Diakopto and Zachlorou Village. It's 12km trekking. Do that if you have limited time. It takes approximately 4hrs.
-Eat at Zachlorou village (Romantzo restaurant). There you can taste traditional pies, local cheece, salads, wild boar, beef with pasta, homemade tsantziki and good local wine. It will cost from 15-20 euros per person...but you will enjoy it!!!
-Book your ticket online for the rack railway. No pets allowed on the train.
-Make sure to check the train timetable for a safe passage through the tunnels. The train drivers are very careful though and there was no accident during the 120 years of the rail.
-Make sure you wear your best smile, take your camera and enjoy it to the full!!
#kalavryta #vouraikos #achaia #gorge #trekking #explore #discovergreece
Tunnel Section at Vouraikos Gorge
Hiking the Tunnel Section. Try not meeting the train there...
Καλάβρυτα/ Kalavrita Greece drone(by mavic2pro)
#Kalavrita #καλαβρυτα #ski
VOURAIKOS GORGE
Director: Pavlos Kosmides
Diakofto-Kalavrita rack-railway. Spectacular cabride through Vouraikos gorge.
Reset to 1080 HD. Second half of the trip down from Kalavrita, starting at Zachlorou or Mega Spilaion, to the outskirts of Diakofto. Speed limits are 40 kph for the adhesion sections and 12 for the rack; we were pushing the limits almost the whole way with at times tortured screaming from brakes and wheels. The wonder is that they found/created a route at all through the gorge. The mountains in the distance at the end are on the Northern side of the Corinthian Gulf. As there is a drop in the line of about 2500 ft, you will see a change in foliage from bare trees at the start to full leaf and Spring flowers at the end, and, if you follow the link for the final bit of the trip, oranges on the trees at 1.30.
The camera struggles at times to cope with the extreme contrasts of light and shade, and having to hand-hold the camera steady for half an hour when standing on a moving train was not easy. My thanks to the crew for inviting me in for this wonderful experience. You can see the last few minutes of the trip through the little town to the station at this link You can follow the course of the line on the satellite version of Google maps if you put Diakopto, not Diakofto, into search.
See also for some rear cab shots
Driver's View... ODONTOTOS rack railway Diakofto - Kalavryta - Οδοντωτός [1]
World's narrowest public cogwheel railway 750mm (2 ft 5 1⁄2 in) gauge built 1890 - 1895 with total length of line 22,3 km and max. slope over 17,5 % [ ΟΔΟΝΤΩΤΟΣ ] in Greece.
Special note: In fact the slopes are steeper than shown in the video. That is due to the fact that camera was set still in line with the cab horizontal axis and parallel to the track, therefore reducing the true magnitude of the gradient.
The line 'climbs' from Diakopto village at sea level to Kalavryta at 720 m altitude through the impressive Gorge of Vouraikos river.
Mega Spilaion (Great Cave) monastery situated halfway the line, built 362 AD, is the oldest monastery in Greece.
The first 4 steam engines were built by CAIL in Paris 1891 - 1899.
Since 2007 the line is operated with new diesel-electric trainsets, OSE Class 3107 BDmh 2Z+4A/12, supplied by Stadler of Switzerland.
There are many bridges over the Vouraikos River, numerous tunnels, viaducts, waterfalls, caves and passing loops at Niamata, Triklia, Zachlorou and Kerpini. Anyone considering this trip should know that the scenery is spectacular and the trains run in perfect condition.
Highlights:
Time ........ Km + m ........ Location
[ 01:02 ] ........ 0 + 000 ........ Diakofto Railway Station
[ 04:53 ] ........ 1 + 600 ........ Vouraikos Gorge Entrance
[ 11:54 ] ........ 5 + 088 ........ Niamata R.S.
[ 13:25 ] ........ 5 + 650 ........ 1st cogged rail
[ 14:41 ] ........ 6 + 000 ........ Dikastiria
[ 20:45 ] ........ 7 + 700 ........ Platana max. slope 17,5%
[ 23:07 ] ........ 8 + 100 ........ end of 1st gogged rail
[ 26:42 ] ........ 9 + 394 ........ Triklia new stop
[ 27:00 ] ........ 9 + 480 ........ 2nd cogged rail
[ 30:05 ] ........ 10 + 110 ........ end of 2nd cogged rail
[ 31:12 ] ........ 10 + 646 ........ Portes canyon
[ 33:52 ] ........ 10 + 930 ........ 3rd cogged rail
[ 35:45 ] ........ 11 + 335 ........ end of 3rd cogged rail
[ 38:44 ] ........ 12 + 600 ........ Mega Spilaio / Zachlorou R.S.
[ 52:47 ] ........ 18 + 200 ........ Kerpini R.S.
[1:00:44] ........ 22 + 346 ........ Kalavrita Railway Station
Video by Vlasios Giannakainas. My pleasure to subscribe to my channel. You are welcome to share any of my videos in social media. Thanks for watching...! Facebook Page:
Discovering Vouraikos Gorge.....
A little trip to Vouraikos gorge at 21.1.2013....
Song:Gramatik - Muy Tranquilo
Trekking along the Vouraikos gorge and river, Peloponnese, Greece
Trekking along the Vouraikos gorge and river, Peloponnese, Greece. May 2017
Οδοντωτός Διακοπτού - Καλαβρύτων / Odontotos Diakopto – Kalavrita, Greece
Ο Οδοντωτός Διακοπτού - Καλαβρύτων είναι ένα έργο μοναδικό στον κόσμο γιατί κατασκευάστηκε 120 χρόνια πρίν με σφυρί και καλέμι!!!
Ο οδοντωτός Διακοπτού – Καλαβρύτων αποτελεί ένα τουριστικό αξιοθέατο. Το τραίνο έχει τη δυνατότητα να «σκαρφαλώνει» ψηλά, στις μεγάλες κλίσεις του εδάφους, μέσα από περιοχές με ξεχωριστό ενδιαφέρον περιήγησης.
Με μια μοναδική διαδρομή περίπου μιας ώρας που ξεκινά από το Διακοπτό, ο οδοντωτός διασχίζει το φαράγγι του Βουραϊκού, περνά από το χωριό Ζαχλωρού και καταλήγει στα Καλάβρυτα. Η διαδρομή 22 χιλιομέτρων που διανύει πραγματοποιείται με ταχύτητα που κυμαίνεται από 30 έως 40 χλμ/ώρα στην απλή γραμμή και από 6 έως 15 χλμ/ώρα στο οδοντωτό κομμάτι.
Το σιδηροδρομικό δίκτυο είναι οδοντωτό στα σημεία όπου λόγω της μορφολογίας του εδάφους υπάρχουν μεγάλες κλίσεις.
Ο χαρακτηρισμός «οδοντωτός», όπως είναι προφανές, προέρχεται από τα «δόντια» που χρησιμοποιούν οι αμαξοστοιχίες του τύπου αυτού και τις βοηθούν να σκαρφαλώνουν στις μεγάλες κλίσεις.
Η αμαξοστοιχία είναι ειδικά κατασκευασμένη, ώστε η οδόντωση να προσαρμόζεται στα σημεία της γραμμής όπου αυτό επιβάλλεται, τόσο στην άνοδο όσο και στην κάθοδο της διαδρομής.
Driver's View.... ODONTOTOS rack railway Kalavryta - Diakofto - Οδοντωτός [2]
World's narrowest public cogwheel railway 750mm (2 ft 5 1⁄2 in) gauge built 1890 - 1895 with total length of line 22,3 km and max. slope over 17,5 % [ ΟΔΟΝΤΩΤΟΣ ] in Greece.
The line descends from Kalavryta at 720 m altitude to Diakopto village at sea level through the impressive Gorge of Vouraikos river. Mega Spilaion (Great Cave) monastery situated halfway the line, built 362 AD, is the oldest monastery in Greece.
The first 4 steam engines were built by CAIL in Paris 1891 - 1899. Since 2007 the line is operated with new diesel-electric trainsets, OSE Class 3107 BDmh 2Z+4A/12, supplied by Stadler of Switzerland.
There are many bridges over the Vouraikos River, numerous tunnels, viaducts, waterfalls, caves and passing loops at Kerpini, Zachlorou, Triklia and Niamata. Anyone considering this trip should know that the scenery is spectacular and the trains run in perfect condition.
Highlights:
Time ........ Km + m ........ Location
[ 0:00 ] ........ 0 + 000 ........ Kalavrita Railway Station
[ 8:40 ] ........ 4 + 146 ........ Kerpini R.S.
[ 19:50 ] ........ 9 + 746 ........ Mega Spilaio / Zachlorou R.S.
[ 24:25 ] ........ 11 + 011 ........ 1st cogged rail
[ 26:30 ] ........ 11 + 416 ........ end of 1st cogged rail
[ 26:50 ] ........ 11 + 700 ........ Portes canyon
[ 28:50 ] ........ 12 + 236 ........ 2nd cogged rail
[ 32:10 ] ........ 12 + 866 ........ end of 2nd cogged rail - Triklia stop
[ 35:27 ] .................................. Changing rails
[ 43:05 ] ........ 14 + 246 ........ 3rd cogged rail
[ 43:12 ] ........ 14 + 646 ........ Platana max. slope 17,5%
[ 50:45 ] ........ 16 + 396 ........ Dikastiria
[ 53:25 ] ........ 16 + 696 ........ end of 3rd cogged rail
[ 54:30 ] ........ 17 + 258 ........ Niamata R.S.
[1:03:50] ........ 22 + 346 ........ Diakofto Railway Station
Video by Vlasios Giannakainas. My pleasure to subscribe to my channel. You are welcome to share any of my videos in social media. Thanks for watching...! Facebook Page:
VOURAIKOS DREAM Part 6
VOURAIKOS DREAM Part 6.A summer day at Zachlorou..
Schenes recorded 2003
Music by Brunuth Ville
Rack Railway Diakopto-Kalavrita, Trains at ''Portes''.
Rack Railway of Diakopto-Kalavrita is a scenic narrow gauge railway that starts from the coastal town of Diakopto and ''climbs'' to Kalavrita at 720m in a 23km route. The line is next to river Vouraikos and crosses the homonymous gorge. It is worldwide known for its unique landscapes and route. However there are some highlight points on the line such us ''Dikastiria'' and ''Portes''. To the latter is dedicated our video....Portes (hellenic word for Doors) is the narrowest place of the gorge. Many years ago (before WW2) there were big doors at the entrances of the two tunnels which opened only for the train. It was tha only way to stop villagers from moving for free and as a result use the train. Today tha ''Rack Railway'' is running every day as tourist-excursion train with 3 trains from Diakopto (on Weekends 5 trains) and 3 from Kalavrita (on weekends 5 trains) servicing the line. The old Billard and Decauville railcars have also been replaced by new ones built by Stadler.
Camera and montage: Alexander Sikalias
Music: Musicbank - Final Orbit, Alboum: Calestial Space 2005.
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Rack Railway's Official Site (
The Hellenic Train Spotters © 2013
Diakopto - Kalavrita Rack Railway (Greece)
filmed on 21 June 2018 / снято 21 июня 2018
The Diakopto-Kalavrita Railway is a historic rack railway in Greece. Located on the northern Peloponnese, it runs 22 km from the coast of the Corinth Canal through the Vouraikos Gorge up to Kalavrita.
Currently the infrastructure and rolling stock are owned and maintained by Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE). Passenger trains are operated by TrainOSE.
The railway is single line with 750 mm gauge. It climbs from sea level to 720 m in 22.3 km with a maximum gradient of 17.5%. There are three sections with rack for a total of 3.8 km. Maximum speed is 40 km/h for adhesion sections and 12 km/h for rack sections.
There are many bridges over the Vouraikos River and numerous tunnels. The rolling stock sheds and maintenance facilities are located at Diakopto.
Железная дорога Диакоптон-Калавита - историческая железная дорога в Греции. Расположена на севере Пелопоннеса. Линия длиной 22 км проходит от побережья Коринфского канала через ущелье Вурайкос в город Калавриту.
Инфраструктура и подвижной состав в настоящее время принадлежит Организации Железных Дорог Греции (OSE), а оператором линии является компания TrainOSE.
Железная дорога состоит из одного пути с шириной колеи 750 мм. Длина дороги 22,3 км, она поднимается до 720 метров над уровнем моря. Максимальный уровень наклона железнодорожного полотна 17,5%. На всем протяжении линии существует три секции с установленным зубчатым механизмом. Общая длина таких секций 3,8 км. Максимальная скорость на линии 40 км/час, на участках с зубчатым механизмом – 12 км/час.
На линии много мостов через реку Вурайкос и многочисленные туннели. Депо для подвижного состава и средства технического обслуживания расположены в Диакопто.
Greece_ Kalavrita and the Monastery of Agia Lavra/Καλάβρυτα και Μονή Αγίας Λαύρας
Ελλάδα_ Καλάβρυτα και Μονή Αγίας Λαύρας
Greece_ Kalavrita and the Monastery of Agia Lavra
Video by George Tsiplakis _ giotsip@gmail.com
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στην ηλεκτρονική μου διεύθυνση, ευχαριστώ !!
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Camera : telephone Samsung-Galaxy A5 2016
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Kalavrita is a small mountainous town of the prefecture of Achaia. It is built in the Aroania Mountains (Helmos) at an altitude of 735 meters. Ιt is the seat of the Municipality of the same name, as well as of the formerly District of the same name. Their population according to the 2011 national census amounts to 1,674 permanent residents, making it one of the most important centers of the county.
The Kalavrita region participated in the revolution of 1821, where its outcome resulted in the liberation of much of Greece and the establishment of the independent Greek state. In 1821 the Revolution was proclaimed by the Palaion Patron Germanos and the chieftains of the Peloponnese who were gathered in the monastery of Agia Lavra of Kalavrita. In the wider region of Kalavrita were sporadic attacks against Turks from mid-March 1821. Modern historians consider that the most likely date of liberation of Kalavrita is 25 March 1821 ......
Kalavrita was one of the regions of Greece that experienced the most brutal Nazi German retaliation during the Occupation. On December 13, 1943, the German occupation army executed almost the entire male population (over 12 years old) of Kalavrita and burned the city.
Kalavrita today is a tourist attraction, mainly during the winter season, as it has one of the best winter tourism infrastructure in Greece mainly because of the ski center that is there. Kalavrita Ski Center is one of the largest in Greece. Remarkable destinations in the area of Kalavrita and in nearby locations are also the two historical monasteries of Agia Lavra and the Great Cavern, the Kalavrita Holocaust Museum, which is housed in the old elementary school of the city, the plantain of the Aroaniou river springs in Planitero, Stylos at Helmos, where the river Kráthis comes from, as well as the Cave of the Lakes near the village of Kastria and the Gorge of the Vouraikos river, which is crossed by the famous Cog railway.
(Wikipedia article)
Vouraikos gorge
Vouraikos gorge
Greece_ Kalavrita - Great Cavern / Μέγα Σπήλαιο
Greece_ Kalavrita - Great Cavern / Καλάβρυτα - Μέγα Σπήλαιο
Video by George Tsiplakis _ giotsip@gmail.com
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Thank you for watching _ please subscribe to my channel
(Για κάθε πρόβλημα, παρακαλώ επικοινωνήστε στην ηλεκτρονική μου διεύθυνση, ευχαριστώ !!
For any problem, please contact my email, thanks)
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Music: by YouTube / Confliction_Catharsis - Asher Fulero
Camera : telephone Samsung-Galaxy A5 2016
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The monastery is located ten kilometers northeast of Kalavrita on the road that connects the national road Patras - Athens with Kalavrita and is built in the opening of a large natural cave (from which it is named) of the Helmos mountain range above the steep gorge of the Vouraikos River, at an altitude of 899 meters. The whole of the Monastery, dug into the rock, is a cruciform temple, engraved with two splints. The main temple has wall-paintings of 1653, remarkable marble floors, wood-carved icon screen, etc. while in the narthex frescoes date back to the early 19th century.
The monastery, which is considered the oldest in Greece, was built in 362 AD. by the brothers from Thessaloniki, Simeon and Theodore. While the two brothers were in Jerusalem, they each saw a distinction, with the command to go to Achaia and find the Holy Virgin image of mastic and candle, crafted by the Evangelist Lucas. After successive wandering and revealing dreams, in 362 AD, they met here with maiden Efrosini, shepherd from the village of Galata (Zachlorou). Efrosini led them to the cave where the Sacred Image was.
The Sacred Image, according to tradition, was located next to the spring and was guarded by a terrible dragon who was killed by lightning when he attacked the two monks who were trying to cleanse the holy place from dense vegetation. Then the two monks built a small temple and some small cells with the help of the multitude of believers who flocked to worship the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary.
During the Revolution of 1821 the Monastery was a beacon of Orthodoxy and Hellenism, but also a center of resistance against the conquerors, and although it received many attacks, it was never conquered. The fact that stood out was the rebuff of Ibrahim's assault in June 1827 ...
(Wikipedia article)
VOURAIKOS DREAM Part 1.
Vouraikos gorge.The dream...Part 1
Music by Above & Beyond .sun in your eyes