The vathres (natural rock pools) near Therma are found in three gorges/streams/small rivers coming down the mountain in walking distance east of Therma. From Therma walk eastwards past the shops, restaurants etc., turn left and then right, and walk along the road that goes past the old school. Turn right just after the school. After 200 meters the road passes over a small stream. The first of the outdoor restaurants is here. Here you choose either the road to the right of the restaurant to get to the first gorge, or the road to the left of the restaurant to get to the second and third gorges.

All three streams/gorges are vulnerable ecosystems. Sunscreen is forbidden. Instead use a wide hat when hiking to these gorges, enjoy swimming in the cool water of pools, and relax afterwards in the shade of the trees. Just don’t use sunscreen before or at these pools.

The first of the gorges is Mikres Vathres, but is more popularly called Paradise Vathres. From the outdoor restaurant mentioned above, walk up the road to the right. The parking lot is after a few hundred meters up the road. From here follow the path for 10 minutes along the stream. The path is steep and difficult, and not suitable for elderly or people with walking problems. There are three pools, all picturesque, with large trees and lush greenery, quiet and with lots of shade from the trees. The path is steep and difficult, and not suitable for elderly or people with walking problems. It’s 80 % textile free outside of peak season (2nd week of August, or around 5-17 August). A fourth pool is to be found much higher up after a bit of climbing.

The second gorge is Grias (Krias) Vathres, and is the largest and most popular of the three. Walk along the road to the left of the outdoor restaurant mentioned above. After about 800-1000 meters, and after passing 3 more restaurants, you will be at the large parking area. From here it’s a 10 minute walk to the lower section. Grias Vathres is divided into 3 sections:

– The lower sections (2 pools) is easily reached along the easy and flat-ish path from the parking lot. There are two pools here, which are usually packed with families and others not keen on hiking to the upper parts. These pools are mostly textile.

-To get to the mid section (5-7 pools) take the path that goes up to the right 100 meters after the parking lot. (You can also walk up the steep rocks on the right hand of the stream from the lower section, and soon meet up with the main path). This main path is steep and tiresome. After a few hundred meters you will start to see pools down in the gorge on the left hand side. There are several steep and dangerous paths leading down to these pools. The main path continues up the gorge but flattens out and eventually reaches the fourth pool. From here one walks along the stream to get to the pools higher up, which end in a waterfall. The path is difficult, in places dangerous and in a few places one needs to use both arms to climb. The pools are great, and very much recommended. Several of them are deep enough to jump in from several meters height.

– To get to the upper section (2 pools), one climbs up the rock face to the left of the above mentioned waterfall. There are red dots marking the way, it is dangerous, and this is not for everyone. Most people turn around here. There is a small pool just above the waterfall. The last pool is several hundred meters higher up.

Both mid and upper sections are tranquil and relaxing areas, with lots of shade and greenery, large trees, cooling and refreshing water, and 80 % textile free outside of peak season (2nd week of August, or around 5-17 August). In peak season try to be here before 2 PM. After that it gets rather crowded and textile. Due to the difficulties getting here, this place attract a younger and mainly Greek crowd. There are lots of eco-orientated post-hippies camping in this area. Although a lot of the camping is illegal, they keep the place clean and tidy. This is generally a safe area for all visitors.

The third gorge is Grigorakis gorge. It’s too far to walk from Therma for most people. You need a map to find the path which leads to the parking lot, which is next to an ancient church. There are several small pools here, but not anything that you can’t find in Grias Vathres (see above). It’s a 10-15 minute walk from the parking lot along an easy path, but with elevation gain. Most visitors are car tourists, although one finds post-hippies camping further up the gorge. It’s mainly non-textile outside of peak season.