Diavologefyro (The Devil’s Bridge)

Trizina, or Troezen, in mythology was the home of the legendary Athenian hero Theseus and the landscape is steeped in these and other legends. The area occupies a fertile valley at the foot of the Aderes range, just a few kilometers along the Peloponnese coast from Poros.

It’s reached via a rough track from Trizina that ends in a small clearing framed by olive trees: this is as far as you can travel by car. A footpath leads further inland through a small gorge to “the devil’s bridge”. The name derives from the hoof marks on the bridge. In local lore, these were made by Pan, the flute-playing god of the wild whose body was half-goat like that of the satyrs.

A different version dates to Ottoman rule. By this account, the bridge was thus named because the bridgemaker sold his soul to the devil in order to execute the pasha’s orders to construct the crossing. But the bridgemaker was unable to enjoy the riches from having completed the task as the devil soon after claimed his soul and sowed great destruction on his family.

Today, the idyllic setting seems at odds with such a dark tale. After crossing the bridge, follow the footpath to a natural clearing. From there, several paths lead further into the gorge where small ponds, cascades, butterflies, toads, and other small wildlife conjure a fairytale setting.

A word of advice: wear slip-proof shoes as some surfaces have been completely smoothed by torrents over the years.