Potami - Waterfalls - Tsourlei - Potami, Hiking trail and waterfall in Karlovasi, Samos, Greece.
Potami is a hiking trail and waterfall zone on western Samos where water cascades through multiple tiers into natural pools. The setting features old plane trees and ferns surrounding the path, with the stream having carved a deep ravine through the rocks over time.
A church dedicated to the Transfiguration was built here in the 14th century, ranking among the island's oldest places of worship, while a Genoese fortress guarded the area from a nearby height. These structures reveal how strategically important this region was during the medieval period.
The name Potami comes from the Greek word for river, and locals cherish this spot as a place for swimming and gathering with family. People are drawn here to cool off in the natural pools and enjoy time together in the shade of the trees.
The hike is easily accessible from Potami beach where parking is available, followed by a roughly one-hour walk upstream along the creek bed. Wear suitable footwear for wet and slippery rocks, and bring water since shade is limited along most of the route.
To reach the lower waterfalls, you must swim through a small natural pool, an experience that catches many visitors off-guard. Further upstream, wooden steps and climbing sections lead to larger falls, adding unexpected adventure to the hike.
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