The Seven Springs natural site, called Eptá Pigés in Greek, is a literal refuge from the relentless Greek sun for visitors to Rhodes. This cool, shady area full of diverse vegetation is located on a hill about 4 km east of the resort of Kolymbia, towards the interior.
The park takes its name from the seven natural springs ("Seven Springs") that emerge from the ground in the area and flow into the Loutanis River. The latter feeds a small artificial lake. The lake was formerly used to irrigate the plains and forests of Colombia, is located in the middle of the forest and, like the paths around it, was built by the Italians in the 1930s. The waters of the stream and lake are home to turtles, eels, crabs and several rare species of fish called "Gizani".
We recommend starting your tour of the Eptá Pigés Natural Park at the highest point of the hill, where you will also find directional signs and, in addition to the seven springs, tourist facilities including a car park, a nice restaurant and a small playground. As you walk among the trees and streams, you will occasionally come across information boards that point out specific points of interest such as the spring (there are numbers to count all seven), rare species of herbs, etc. The individual springs then join here and continue to flow together in a single stream. Wild goats, duck families or even beautiful peacocks will keep you company during your walk.
There is also an interesting attraction you can try when visiting the park. For part of its length, the river flows through a hill - approximately 200 metres long, 2 metres high, through a narrow, dark, narrowing tunnel with ankle-deep icy water. The tunnel has a paved floor and can be walked through barefoot, but slippers or water shoes are more comfortable. It is also recommended to have a torch with you in case you need it. You can also use the skylight halfway along the tunnel. The tunnel ends at a small lake where the river flows into its waters and where you can see the peacocks that inhabit its banks. To admire the lake cascades, turn left after exiting the tunnel.
This tunnel will take you to the second, lower part of the park, where the river continues to weave through the trees, creating small and larger pools. Especially beautiful is the small waterfall, which can be admired from the top of the dam, or you can go down to the bottom of the dam. So definitely don't miss this part of the park, even for those who don't like dark and cramped spaces, because there's good news - you can also bypass the tunnel by taking the road you came here on. Just head down this road, and you'll first come across the path to the local church of Agios Nikolaos on your right, and then a few steps down you'll find the turn-off to the waterfall.
The natural attraction of Eptá Pigés is one of the Natura 2000 protected areas, which also includes, for example, the Valley of the Butterflies or Mount Profitis Ilias.
If you are looking for a romantic trip, you will be satisfied with a visit to the Seven Springs. The combination of crystal clear water, mature pines and pine trees and refreshments in their shade is the right choice. The park is a unique place on the island of Rhodes where you can enjoy the cool natural springs and swimming in the fresh natural water. There are also buses from the nearby resort of Kolymbia (approx. 4 km) and it takes about half an hour to get here from the capital of Rhodes (approx. 27 km, most of the route is along the main Rhodes-Lindos road).
Park website: http://eptapiges.com/en/
Tips for trips on Rhodes: Lindos White Town, Rhodes Capital, Kalithea Spa, Symi Island and Panormitis Monastery, Seven Springs (Eptá Pigés), Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes), Faliraki Water Park
Resorts, beaches, sights or trips - clearly listed on the map of Rhodes.
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