Kosmadaioi to Kakoperato cave church & gorge

From Kosmadaioi, the walking hub of west Samos, route 11 climbs 3.2 km up the north-west face of Mt Kerkis, gaining 316 m. It ends at a chapel of Panagia set inside a cavern, exactly where the Kakoperato gorge is born, its vertical walls dropping all the way down to Megalo Seitani beach. The cave runs about 35 m deep — bring a head torch and take care, the rock is slippery. Descending the gorge itself is a different matter: a bolted canyoning route with about 40 rappels, for equipped parties with a professional guide only.