Seven Springs (Epta Piges)

Seven Springs, or Epta Piges, is a shady valley in the east of Rhodes, in the hills between Kolymbia and the village of Archipoli, about 26 kilometres from Rhodes Town. The setting is a surprise on an island better known for dry slopes and beaches, since here a group of springs feeds a stream that runs through a thick forest of plane trees and pines. The air is cool and humid even in midsummer, which is why families and walkers come to escape the coastal heat.

The springs were developed in the 1930s, under Italian rule, to supply water for irrigation in the surrounding area. A small dam holds back the water to create a lake, a modest pool ringed with trees where ducks, geese and a few peacocks gather. Water from the springs also runs through a narrow underground channel, and the most distinctive experience is to wade through this tunnel, which is about a hundred and fifty metres long and low enough to require some stooping. The water is cold and ankle to knee deep, the walls are close, and the only light is from a phone or torch. It ends at the lake, and the route can also be done by walking over the hill instead.

A paved path and stone steps lead through the forest to a small restaurant by the water, where tables stand under the plane trees. Squirrels, turtles and fish live in the pools and streams, and birdsong fills the trees. Several shorter trails branch off, and the walk from the entrance to the lake takes around fifteen to twenty minutes. For those who want a longer outing, a trail climbs the hillside toward Archipoli.

Plan for old shoes that can get wet, and bring a torch if you intend to walk the tunnel. Paths are shaded and cool, though stone steps can be slippery near the water, and the tunnel is not suited to anyone with a fear of confined spaces. Water levels vary with the season, and in dry years the flow is reduced.

The area is a good half-day stop on a drive along the east coast, and many people pair it with a visit to Kolymbia beach, the villages of the interior or the acropolis at Lindos. Arriving in the morning avoids the tour groups that arrive around midday.